Mary Ruth Wilson Barker

Mrs. Mary Ruth Wilson Barker, 69, of Pittman Street, Mount Airy, passed away Friday, January 26, 2007, at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem. Mrs. Barker was born March 26, 1937, in Surry County, to the late Earl Wilson, Sr. and Linda Moore Wilson. Mary Ruth worked at Hollingsworth Drug Store for many years and retired from B.H. Tharrington Elementary School in 1999. She was a member of Bannertown Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Thomas Edward "Tommy" Barker of the home; a daughter, Sonja Barker of Winston-Salem; two granddogs, "Sassy" Sunshine, a constant companion and protector, and Sweet "Abby" (Abigail); three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Mildred Montgomery of Lady Lake, FL, Betty Jo and Herbert Faw of Pilot Mountain, and Estelle and James Thomas of Mount Airy; and a brother, Edward L. Wilson of Raton, NM. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Barker was preceded in death a sister, Maggie Wilson Burkett; and three brothers, Garnett Wilson, Charlie Wilson, and Earl Wilson, Jr. A service to celebrate Mary Ruth's life will be held Monday, January 29, 2007, at 11:00 AM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy. The service will be conducted by the Rev. Milton Sewell and Dr. David Sparks, and burial will follow in the Skyline Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends Monday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials to Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, or to the Alzheimer's Association, 1315 Ashleybrook Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Mary Ruth's caregiver, Helen Gordon, for her love, devotion, and faith.