Obituary

Arion Sonny Boy Barker
July 28, 1926 - April 29, 2019



“To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under the Heaven.” Ecclesiastics 3:1-8

Arion “Sonny Boy” Barker was born July 28, 1926, to the late Lattimore Barker and Daisy Griffin. He had seven siblings Betty Miller, Samuel Miller, James Miller, Martina Magee, Bernet Wilson, Willie Edward Tate and Dorothy Tate.

At an early age he joined “Sweet Rest Missionary Baptist Church” and was later baptized. He quit school at an early age to help provide for his family. That’s when his mother taught him the fundamental element of hard work and discipline. He was a hardworking man who lived his life to the fullest. He drove trucks for Spell’s Trucking for many years. Sonny Boy enjoyed driving his truck but his family came first. He didn’t mind helping and showing others things they need to know to survive in this world. For someone with a third grade education, he didn’t mind sharing after retiring he enjoyed spending time with his family, watching Jerry Springer and eating his sweets (redesserts). He had the biggest sweet tooth. Our old man really enjoyed his birthday. He new a party was coming and that included a yard full of people which he talked to everybody.

As a young man Arion “Sonny Boy” Baker married the late Elouise Pittman Barker and together they started their family which consisted of eleven children.

He was preceded in death by four of his children, Perry J. Barker, Larry J. Barker, Eula M. Barker Bickham and Cathy.

He leaves to mourn four daughters, E. Marie Barker, Martha M. Barker, Mary A. Barker and Meshell Barker all of Franklinton, Brenda Duncan of Ft. Worth, TX; two sons, Jerry C. Barker (Sylvia Scott) and Byron Barker (Alfreda) both of Franklinton; two additional eldest sons, A. Ray Tate and Patrick Bickham Barker (one he helped raise); twenty six grandchildren, forty six great grandchildren and eleven great great grandchildren; a special nephew, Willie Jr. Tate; several other nieces, and nephews which he loved very dearly; one brother-in-law, Odeal Pittman (Brenice) of Franklinton and one sister-in-law, Ermma Lee Magee of Gulf Port, MS.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 7, 2019,  2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Crain and Sons Funeral Home, 2000 Franklinton, LA. The  Funeral service will be Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at 11:00 a.m., at Sweet Rest Missionary Baptist Church, 1811 Desmare Street, Franklinton, LA.  Pastor Norwert Hills, Jr. will officiate.

Crain and Sons Funeral Home in Franklinton are in charge of the arrangements.