Mary "Joanne" Barker, 82, of Dexter, Kansas, and formerly of Wichita, Kansas passed away Friday afternoon, January 28, 2011 at Dexter Care Center.

Born April 19, 1928 in rural Atlanta, Kansas, she was the daughter of Miles Leroy and Carol Fern (Haworth) Smith. She was raised and received her education in Atlanta. She moved to Winfield to attend high school and graduated from Winfield High School in 1946. She then went to work as an operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.

Joanne was united in marriage to James L. Barker on December 26, 1954 in Winfield. The couple made their first home in Wichita, where Joanne continued her work with Southwestern Bell. She later opened a daycare so that she could stay home and help raise the couples children. In 1972 she began working as a secretary/bookkeeper for Colony Chemical Company in Haysville, Kansas. She stayed with the company through the move to Goddard as they became ConAgra's, and eventually retired in 1990. Mr. Barker preceded her in death on October 21, 2010.

She enjoyed reading, sewing, spending time with her cats, and taking care of the numerous strays that needed her tender compassion.

Her family includes:
Her daughter: Susan Barker of Claflin, KS;
Her son: Tim Barker and wife, Melissa of Atlanta, KS;
Her sisters-in-law: Karolyn Smith of Burden, KS; Marie Barker of Winfield, KS; Maxine Barker of Arkansas City; and
Her uncle: Chalmer Haworth and wife, Betty of Atlanta, KS.

In addition to her parents and husband Joanne was preceded in death by her sister, Veva Jo Preston and her brother, Walter Miles Smith.

Graveside Funeral Services will be held on Friday, February 04, 2011 at 10:30 A.M. at Mt. Vernon Cemetery east of Atlanta. Friends may call from 2:00 to 6:00 P.M., Thursday, February 03, 2011 at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield. The family will greet visitors from 2:00 to 3:00 that afternoon.

Memorials have been established in Mrs. Barker's name for the Cowley County Humane Society and for a small business development fund care of Citizens Bank of Kansas. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.