Beverly Gay Barker
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Longtime Skagit Valley educator, Beverly Gay Barker passed away October 19, 2021, at the age of 90. Known as Gay to her family and friends, she lived up to her name, spreading joy and beauty with her contributions to the earth, education and a multitude of friends.
Born November 8, 1930 in Kansas City to Virginia and Chester Dunham. Gay Dunham spent her early childhood between, Kansas City, Chicago and Denver where her love of reading was nurtured and she enjoyed the outdoor life as well. While a teen, in the 1940's, she started an all-girls rifle team, because girls weren't allowed to compete on the boys' team. She won many honors as a sharpshooter and opened new doors for young girls. This may have been the beginning of her life long advocacy for women's issues.
Gay married Ted Barker, in 1948 and together raised three sons in Yakima, Ghana, and Skagit County. In Yakima, she was active in the Presbyterian Church as a Sunday school teacher and young mother of David, Ronald, Mark and baby Teresa, who sadly passed away from a congenital heart defect.
Moving forward from grievous loss, Gay often spoke about her time in Ghana as being one of the most healing periods in her life where she immersed herself in the African culture, built many friendships, explored art, and produced some very fine paintings. Although she didn't consider herself an artist, anyone who visited her home and garden would disagree.
Also while living in Ghana, Gay and Ted founded The Republic Road Church in 1965, which was still active in 1985.
After moving to Skagit County, Gay's love of literature, life and education, brought her back to school where she earned her teaching degree from WWU and began her career at Mount Vernon High School teaching English, Psychology and life.
Her passion for teaching and connecting with teens was evident in all she did. Her classroom was a haven for teachers and students to gather, as she turned it into an inviting home for learning. She brought in couches, soft lighting, classical music, and lined the walls with her own collections of books and artwork. It wasn't unusual to see her students flopped across overstuffed chairs engrossed in books or gathered around the coffee table deeply steeped in intellectual discussion. And there was always laughter, as students would do their best to share humor, because listening to Mrs. Barker's deep sustained belly laugh was an all out joy.
Like life, her classroom wasn't all fun and games. Perhaps this is why she was such a fierce advocate for students and staff. Her competence and caring earned her the distinction of English Department chair for many years and the respect of all who knew her, especially the administration who eventually came around to seeing it her way. One of her colleagues brought her a license plate that read, "Beware of the Barker," which brought smiles from those who knew her, and spoke to why everyone always wanted Barker on their side.
Unfortunately Gay's teaching career came to a close because she began losing her sight to Macular Degeneration. But this set back didn't stop her love of life and contribution to others. She loved traveling, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, Teresa and Dylan, and great grandchildren, Gabriel, Charlemagne, and Samuel. She also built a large community of friends whom she loved to entertain.
Although she was legally blind, she built her own community library in her garage in Bayview, and opened it to anyone who wanted to borrow a book, share a cup of tea or take a walk through her garden. Her Bayview community enjoyed years of viewing her beautiful gardens, sharing stories and a glass (or two) of wine.
It wasn't unusual for Gay to host local poets and musicians who would gather with friends in the library for beautiful evenings with readings, stories and music. She also loved being a part of and hosting her women's group, the Anacortes Crones, who gathered for monthly intellectual discussions and sisterhood.
Her friends and family will remember her infectious laughter, fierce independence, and tenacious spirit despite her blindness and health limitations.
She is survived by her three sons David Barker, (Kansas), Ronald Barker and Mark Barker (WA), grandchildren, Dylan Barker (Laura), Teresa Jean Baptiste (Claude), great grandchildren Gabriel, Charlemagne, and Samuel Jean Baptiste (WA).
Her family is eternally grateful for the help from her friends and the Bayview "Village" who helped her through her journey with dignity and love.
Due to Covid-19, the celebration of Gay's amazing life will be held in the early summer when the flowers are blooming.