Jo Barker
Johonn “Mrs. Jo” Neill Barker, 89, of Troy passed away Monday, June 30, 2025.
Funeral services will be 4 p.m., Thursday, July 3, 2025, at White-Ranson Funeral Home, with Bro. Landon Moore and Bro. Chip Davis officiating. Burial will follow in East View Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 2, 2025, from 5-9 p.m. at White-Ranson Funeral Home and Thursday, July 3, 2025, from 3 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Brian Jones, Brandon Dillon, J. Rene Garcia, Rene Garcia, Alex Stewart and Mark McCullough. Dawson Kerns, Greg White, Bryan Barker, Jerry Cunningham and Harry Johnson will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Mrs. Jo was born in Gibson County on May 22, 1936, to the late Hallie Neill and the late Sarah Eunice Baird Neill. She was married to Jerry Pate until his passing in 1985. On Feb. 14, 1992, she married Marvin “Jiggs” Barker. He preceded her in death in 2013. When she got married in 1992, she retired from owning and operating a daycare center where she helped raised many children in the county. Upon the passing of Jiggs, she spent many days as a caregiver helping the elderly. She was a member of Exchange Street Church of Christ.
She is survived by two daughters, Hollye Jones of Union City and Debbie White and her husband, Greg, of Union City; three sons, Mike Pate and his wife, Heather, of Troy, Neill Pate of Troy and Bryan Barker and his wife, Cathy, of Troy; 11 grandchildren, Brian (Deanna) Jones, Brittney (Brandon) Dillon, Rene (Virginia) Garcia, Bo (Holly) Pate, Jordan Pate, Olivia Pate, Shelly (Dawson) Kerns, Bryan White, Chelsea White, Lori Barker and Jay Warren; nine great-grandchildren, Rebecca Jones, J. Rene and Mirriam (Alberto) Garcia, Brenna, Kara and Lydia Pate, and Kitely, Charley and Colesen Dillon; her great friend, Sue Martin; and several nieces, nephews, great friends and neighbors.
In addition to her first husband, second husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her stepmother, Maudie Neill; son-in-law, Steve Jones; six sisters; and one brother.
The Messenger/7.1.25