Carol Lee Tucker Barker

Waynesville – On Tuesday, May 9, 2023, our beloved mama, friend and source of joy, was called home at the age of 82.  The world has lost the most precious gift, not only to our family, but to all who knew her.

Carol Lee Barker was born in Table Rock, Nebraska, on January 11, 1941, to Marion Tucker and Vera Lowe Tucker.  Preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Richard David Barker, she is survived by her devoted and loving children, Marilyn Ann Krishnan (Arun), Apex, NC; David Madison Jones, Geneva, FL; Sandra Kay Renfroe (Jimmy) Waynesville, NC, Cindy Renee Chambers (Wes) Jacksonville, FL; and Richard David Barker, Jr. of Walkersville, MD. 

Grandchildren include Nicholas Zeeshan Arif, Patrick Shafique Khattak, Michael Farid Khattak, Mallory Leigh Holly, Madison David Jones, Jr., Tiffany Jones, Christina Leigh Jones, and Wesley Eugene Chambers, as well as 15 great-grandchildren.

Our mother was one of the strongest, kindest, and most dedicated of ladies, not only to her family, but neighbors, friends, and acquaintances as well.  She fought the good fight, spiritually enduring to the end.  She was a beautiful woman inside and out.  The void that is left upon her passing can never be filled but our love and respect for her and her courage will live forever in our hearts, minds, and lives, going forward.

Mom endured many adversities in her life, and with the Lord beside her, managed to come through them all with her faith, love, compassion, and humor still intact.  Throughout her tremendous battles, with losing the love of her life and fighting bladder cancer for the last

year and ½, she was loved and cared for and surrounded by her adoring children and through the tears and pain, her humor, laughter, and love continually shone through.

She was a wonderful blessing and joy to live with through this time in her life, and what a blessing it’s been, to be with her constantly throughout the sorrow and the laughter.  Mom, you will always be with us whether it be in the melodious sounds of the chirping birds or the breeze that blows gently through the trees, it will be such a pleasant memory, like riding in the backseat of her BMW with the top down, getting blown away, and eating her famous chocolate chip cookies.  Mama was “quintessential Grandma” and cherished by her many grandchildren.  

We adore you, our beautiful mom.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 27, 2023, in the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with the Reverend Kris Estep officiating.