Dorothy Barker

Dorothy C. Barker, 92, recently of Perrysburg, Ohio, died Sunday, December 9, 2018. Dorothy was born in South Boston, Virginia to Dr. John and Dorothy Chitwood. She was an only child and adored her parents. Growing up in the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, she treasured her time with her aunts, uncles and cousins. She met her husband, Edsel Barker in McRoberts, Kentucky and they were married. Together they raised a family of five children, (a sixth child died at birth.) Dorothy’s children were her pride and joy, her heartbeat and purpose in life. She often said that the happiest time of her life was when her children were growing up. Dorothy was an intelligent, funny, beautiful, strong-spirited woman of deep faith. She had many friends and was successful at several different careers. In 1957, she and a friend created a preschool at their church in Hamilton, Ohio which is still operating 61 years later. After moving to San Diego in 1960 for her husband’s job change, Dorothy eventually became a Military Parish Visitor for the Presbytery of San Diego. In this position, she worked for nine years with Navy families during the Vietnam War. Her work improved the lives of hundreds of families while their husbands and fathers were away at war for months and years at a time. While in her forties, Dorothy undertook a new challenge: balancing a family and her work, she decided to pursue her long-held dream of a college degree. She enrolled at Chapman University in Orange County and after several years graduated with her Bachelors degree, Summa Cum Laude. In 1975, Edsel, Dorothy and their two youngest children moved to San Francisco for a job change. For several years, Dorothy served as administrator at Calvary Presbyterian Church in San Francisco, where she was lovingly known as “our Dorothy” by the staff. Then, in 1981, she joined the ranks of Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, and quickly rose to the top, becoming manager after just a few years. After retiring at age 70 in 1996, she moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan to be near two of her daughters and two sons. Until recently, she lived with her daughter, Susan. Dorothy loved to travel: she visited England, Scotland, Bermuda, Bahamas, Maui, Mexico, and Honduras. She was a woman of great poise and beauty, even working as a model at one point. She loved making a home for her husband and family, decorating and entertaining. She had exquisite taste in all things and was a true lady. She leaves behind five children: John R. Barker, Susan E. Barker, Peter L. Barker, Martha B. Spieller, Jennifer B. France; twelve grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Her encouragement and support of her children and their children will be her greatest legacy, as she taught us all to be strong. She loved her dog, Oliver, who will miss her greatly, as will we all. A memorial service will be held at St Timothy’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at 2:00 pm. Donations in Dorothy’s name may be made to the ASPCA. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, Perrysburg (419-874-3133).