John Cephas Barker died at his home on the Leaksville-Madison Road, Thursday, October 2, at 11 a.m.
He had been in declining health for several years but was active until Tuesday when he suffered a severe heart attack.
A native of Henry County, VA, he was born May 11, 1861.
In early life he was engaged in farming, resigning this work in 1913 when he moved to Danville, Va., and took a job in the textile mills there.
From Danville he came to Spray in May 1917, and took a position with Marshall Field and Company in the old Rhode Island Mill.
In the early 20's he gave up this work to return to
farming and was a prominent farmer in the Stoneville community until he retired in 1941.
On December 27, 1885, he was married to Eliza Ann Higgs,
the eldest daughter of John Haywood and Mary Higgs of Henry County, VA.
To this union were born 16 children, eight sons and eight
daughters.
In May 1934, he made his confession of faith and was baptized in the Matrimony Creek near his home by the late Rev. William J. Gordon. His baptismal service was confirmed on December 16, 1934, by Bishop Edwin A. Penick at the Rock Church.
He was kept from attending church often by ill health but he never lost his faith in God and seemed to have a smile for everyone and never failed to tell them of the love and mercy of his Saviour.
Funeral services were held at Shiloh Baptist Church Saturday at 3 p.m. by Rev. R. J. Shelton of Ridgeway, Va., and Rev. Sam Branch of Stoneville, W. J. Arthur gave a short talk, representing the Episcopal (Rock Church). Burial was in the family plot at Shiloh cemetery.
Survivors include his wife; six sons, James C., Walter, Jack and William F. of Stoneville, and John L. and Harry of Spray; five daughters, Mrs. Myrtle Rigney, Mrs. Eliza Frazier, Mrs. Addie Light, all of Spray, Mrs. Lillie Wilson of Leaksville; thirty-seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He had one brother, Lee Franklin Barker, who preceded him to the grave nineteen years ago.
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