Mildred Barker

Mildred Lorraine Coons Barker,88, passed away Sunday, January 12, 2014 in Abilene. A graveside funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at Elmwood Memorial Park, 5750 Hwy 277 South, directed by Elmwood Funeral Home.
Mildred or Millie as she was called was born June 29, 1925 in Rosalie, Kansas to parents, Ira John and Myrtle Kirkman Coons. She met Paul Lawrence Barker at a dance while volunteering for the USO on February 2, 1952 and together they had two children, Richard and Janet. She grew up on a farm and had four brothers enlisted in the US Army. Late in WWII and wanting to do her part, she became part of the workforce known as Rosie the Riveter and began working to keep up with the demand for supplies during the war. Soon after the war ended she enrolled in nursing school where she received her RN in 1947 and her post grad in Psychiatry in 1948. She trained and did part of her studies in Corpus Christi where in her downtime she would work cleaning and sharpening hypodermic needles. Millie later worked at Menningers in Kansas, an elite Psychiatric hospital.
After the family relocated to Abilene in 1963 she worked for Hendrick Medical Center for twenty years as a night RN Supervisor. Millie loved nursing and used her skills volunteering for many organizations such as: Camp Road Runner in Brownwood, Girl Scouts Camp Bowie in Sweetwater, Abilene State School, RSVP, American Red Cross, and Dyess Pharmacy. Before Pauls passing they both enjoyed volunteering for Meals on Wheels and The West Texas Food Bank. She was also a member of the Model A Club and enjoyed driving in parades and special events. She was in the movie When the Stars Fell on Henrietta in 1995 with her 1929 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup. She was an avid Bridge player and played several times a week. She enjoyed going with her best friend Vi to gamble in Nevada. She was a season ticket holder at ACU for many years, enjoyed camping and fishing, painting, musicals, and listening to music. Millie had such a wide interest in life and touched many lives that will forever shine brighter because they had the privilege to know her.
Millie is survived by her son, Richard Barker and wife Velma of Abilene grandson, Michael Brock and wife Rachel of Tuscola great grandson, Ryan many nieces and nephews in other states.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul daughter, Janet her parents and four siblings.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations in Millies honor to Meals on Wheels or the West Texas Food Bank.

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