Mary Barker

Perry Mary Pittman Ferguson Barker of Perry, Georgia, passed away Saturday, March 14 at the age of 88. Mary was born May 5, 1926 in Cartersville, Georgia. She was the daughter of the late Judge Claude Cleveland and Emily Daves Pittman. She was educated in the Cartersville Public Schools, Wesleyan College and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1947. She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. She taught school for many years in Dawson, Georgia and North Carolina. A 22 year resident of Dawson, Mary was active in the community and First Baptist Church. After moving to Perry in 1969, she worked for 17 years as a social worker and supervisor at the Houston County Department of Family and Children's Services. She attended Frist Baptist Church and was a member of the Sorrell Club and Book Browsers, serving as President of both organizations. She was a volunteer with Friends of the Library, Hospice and the Fair Crackers. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, James A. (Jim) Ferguson, a sister, Emily Ann Pittman Hatfield of Cartersville and a brother, Walter D. Pittman of Austin, Texas. Survivors include her husband, Thomas B. Barker; daughter, Emily Ferguson Burgess, Cartersville, Georgia; sons, James P.(Bucky) Ferguson (Terri), Tifton, Georgia and Joel E. Ferguson (Moonlight), Las Vegas, Nevada. Also surviving are three step-daughters, Susan D. Smith (Kirby), Marietta, Georgia, Joanna E. Barker, Spokane, Washington, and Bernardette B. Nocera, Tallahassee, Florida; a sister, Lelia P. Johnson of Cartersville; grandchildren are Ashley L. Oxford, Milwaukee, WI, Lindsey Coral Harper, New York, NY, Hilton Harper, Atlanta; Ryann L. Ferguson, Los Angeles, California and James B. (Jimbo) Ferguson of Tifton; nine step-grandchildren; Kirby Smith IV, Michael Smith, Kent Smith, Sean Smith, Ashley Nelson, Nicholas Kappleman, Justin Kappleman, Thomas S. Nocera and Katie Nocera. Graveside Services are planned for Tuesday, March 17, a 1:00 p.m. at Perry Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, contibutions to Heart of Georgia Hospice, 103 Westridge Drive , Warner Robins, or Friends of the Library, 1201 Washington Street. Perry, Georgia 31069 are suggested. Condolences may be left at watsonhunt.com

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Mary Barker

May 5, 1926 - March 14, 2015