Anna Elizabeth Gay Barker

Anna Elizabeth Gay Barker, 97, died Tuesday, July 22, 2014. Born June 21, 1917 in Northhampton County, NC, she was the daughter of the late John Green Gay and Lottie Leigh Parker Gay; and the wife of the late James Van Holt Barker. Elizabeth grew up in Chester, Virginia and returned there with her family in 1960.

Elizabeth was an active member of First Christian Church of Petersburg, VA serving as an elder and in The Christian Women’s Fellowship. She was a member of the Chester Women’s Club and the Chesterfield County Historical Society. She was a devoted wife and loving mother. Her large family of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews were a great blessing to her. Elizabeth loved to travel and play games, especially Bridge and Scrabble, until her health declined.
Elizabeth is survived by her children, James Barker (Elizabeth), Betty Barker Price (George), and Beverly Anne Barker; her grandchildren, Beth Morris (Rob), Katie Goldman (Matt), Karen Burgess, Kim Edmunds (Hayward), and Zan Price (Annie); and nine great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Sara Eanes, and Polly Bennett; and one sister-in-law, Bernice Rea; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Elizabeth was predeceased by her sisters, Marion Gay Thompson and Margaret Gay Burgess.

A celebratory service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 27 at 3001 West Hundred Road, Chester, Va. The service will be performed by Pastor Ronald Hopkins.

In remembrance of Elizabeth, memorials may be made to First Christian Church, 301 E. South Blvd., Petersburg, Va. 23805 and The ARC of Virginia, 2147 Staples Mills Rd. Richmond, VA 23230.