Dorothy Louise Barker

Mrs. Dorothy Louise Sims Barker, age 93, of Rome, passed away on Sunday, December 27, 2015, at Floyd Medical Center. She was born in Rome on May 20, 1922, daughter of the late George Sims, Sr. and Cora Welch Sims. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Barker, by a brother, Cecil Sims, and by a sister, Margaret Puryear Bishop.

Mrs. Barker was a member of Friendship Baptist Church since early childhood and the Crusaders Sunday School Class that her husband taught for many years. She had a love and great knowledge of flowers and plants of all types and was the owner of Kingston Avenue Florist Prior to her retirement.

She loved and enjoyed her family and friends. She also loved the staff at Riverwood Retirement Center where she resided for the last several months of her life. The family is forever grateful for the kindness and care provided by the employees of Riverwood, Floyd Medical Center and Heyman Hospice Care.

Survivors include her daughter, JoAnn (Larry) Jacks, Rome, her son, Gary (Nancy) Barker, of Vidalia, Georgia; and four grandchildren, Elissa Jacks Tucker, Rome, Chad (Starla) Barker, Vidalia, GA, Jody Barker, Vidalia, GA, and Kelly (Ryan) Grove, Jessup, GA; four great grandchildren, Rachel (Kevin) Hall, Michael Tucker, Dakota Screws and Ty Nabb; four brothers, George (Jessie) Sims, Jr., Rome, Alton (Kay) Sims, Atlanta, Herbert Sims, Tyler TX, and Paul (Joan) Sims, Tyler TX and a sister-in-law, Eloise Sims, Rome. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mrs. Barker will be held Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015 at 1:00 pm at Friendship Baptist Church with Dr. Rodger Whorton and Rev. Ken Hinkley officiating. The family will receive friends at Friendship Baptist Church from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm preceding the funeral service. The interment will be at East View Cemetery.

The family will be accepting flowers or memorial contributions may be made to the Friendship Baptist Church Building fund or Heyman Hospice Care in honor of Mrs. Barker.

Pallbearers will be Chad Barker, Jody Barker, Michael Tucker, Kevin Hall, Don Hughes and Ed Haygood.