- Date Of Birth: July 19, 1935
- Date Of Death: January 3, 2017
- State: California
Mary C. Barker was born July 19, 1935 in Gadsden, AL. She passed away in Bakersfield, CA on January 3, 2017 after a courageous battle with breast cancer. She is preceded in death by her adoring husband of 52 years, Vernon Barker; her parents Firmer and Mary Jane O’Dell, her five brothers: Cecil, Frank, Walt, Bill, and Danny O’Dell, and her five sisters: Francis Wells, Willie Lay, Shirley Mobley-Dooley, Ann Dye, and Carol Hayes. Mary is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sherry and David Erlewine. Her grandson Aaron Erlewine, his wife Barbara, and their children Katelin, Arielle, Quinn, and Aiden. Her grandson, Jeffrey Erlewine, his wife Brittani, and their children Mason and Carson Erlewine. Her daughter Julianne Knowles. Her granddaughter Krystal Carter, her husband Jimmy Carter, and their children Troy, Patrick, and Addison Carter. Her many loving nieces and nephews. As well as very special friends Jim and Willie Gaither. Mary moved to Taft, CA around the age of 14 with her large family. She met the love of her life, Vernon, while out dancing one night with her sister Shirley. The two quickly fell in love, and built a life together with their two daughters in Taft. Mary worked for over 30 years with Sparkle Cleaners as a route driver, and later her and Vernon became part owners of a gift shop in Harmony, CA. Mary loved traveling, collecting dolls and jewelry, having coffee with her best friend Willie, shopping, shopping, and more shopping, but above all else, Mary loved being a grandma. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her. The family would like to thank everyone who helped with her care while she fought her battle with cancer, especially Jim and Willie, Hoffman Hospice, CBCC, and A Golden Heart.
