Ona Barker

Ona Mae Barker, 99, of Ashland, passed away Saturday, November 2, 2019, at Woodland Oaks Health Care Facility with family and friends at her side.
She was born October 29, 1920, in Ashland, a daughter of the late Malcolm and Pearlie Howard Penix. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jack Barker in 1972; infant son Jack Barker Jr.; five brothers and eight sisters; and daughter-in-law Trudy Dietrich Barker.
Surviving are her sister Betty Miller of Bridgewater, New Jersey; her son Randy Barker of Lexington; daughter Cheryl and son-in-law Michael Garlinger of Russell; grandchildren Paul Brenton Benard (Candie) of Lincolnton, North Carolina, Gretchen Barker Tussey (Chris) of Lexington, and Heidi Barker Nolty (Ryan) of Lexington; two great-grandchildren, Zachary Cole Nalley of Frankfort and Emma Claire Nolty of Lexington; many members of her extended family; and her friends.
The center of Ona’s life was her family. She was a loving and devoted homemaker who was famous for her cooking, baking and immaculate housekeeping. After the death of her husband, she worked at the Chimney Corner restaurant, where she was well-known for her baking skills.
Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 8, at Steen Funeral Home Central Avenue Chapel. Funeral services will follow at noon with Rev. Jeff Brammel officiating.
Special thanks for the kindness and care of the staff at Woodland Oaks, her long-time caregiver Shellie Miller, Hospice staff, and her First United Methodist Church friends, especially Mary Ann Wallace.
In lieu of flowers donations in Ona’s memory may be made to First United Methodist Church Food Pantry, P.O. Box 1670, Ashland, KY 41105, or Community Hospice, 1480 Carter Avenue, Ashland, KY 41101.
To share a remembrance of Ona or to express a condolence to her family, please visit: www.steenfuneralhome.com.