Bishop James Barker, Jr.

Published 9:16 pm Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Bishop James Barker, Jr., 86, of 362 Southwood Drive, Clinton, passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 22, 2018, at Sampson Regional Memorial Hospital with his loving family by his side.

A funeral service celebrating Bishop Barker’s life will be held Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018, at 11 a.m. at Royal-Hall Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Jimmy Honeycutt and Rev. Jeff Stewart officiating. Burial will be held privately at Grandview Memorial Park.

Born on March 10, 1931, in Pamlico County, Bishop Barker was the son of the late James Candler Barker, Sr. and Lillie Gibson Barker. After childhood, he moved to Washington to farm with his sister, Carol. It was there that he met the love of his life, Rebecca Louise Crisp, also known was “Sugar Babe.” They married in 1950, when he was 19 and she was only 14 years old. They recently celebrated their 67^th wedding anniversary on Dec. 2, 2017.

Bishop Barker began his ministry in 1954, by doing mission work, prayer meetings and being an interim pastor at churches when he was called upon. He attended Bible Training Institute of Cleveland, Tennessee, graduating in 1967. He was an evangelist for eight years and was a pastor for 46 years before retirement.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Rebecca Louise Barker, of the home; a daughter, Arzella Stephens of Laurens, South Carolina; three sons, Jimmy Barker, of Clinton, David Earl Barker, of Seneca, South Carolina, and Michael Wayne Barker, of Florence, South Carolina; four sisters, Ethel Warner, Margie Peaden, Lillie Mae Pegram and Beatrice Apple; and two brothers, Roosevelt Barker and Candler Barker. God also blessed their family with 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. What a legacy he leaves behind!

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two sisters, Christine Modlin and Edna Lancaster; a brother, Floyd Barker, and a great-grandson, Breyden Stephens.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10 a.m. at Royal-Hall Funeral Home; and other times at his home.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.royalhallfuneralhome.com.

Royal-Hall is honored to serve the Barker Family.