S. Barker

Sarah Audrey Storey Barker
1924 – 2019
Sarah Audrey Storey Barker passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on March 15, 2019 in Louisburg, Kansas. Audrey was born in Kansas City, Missouri on June 14, 1924, and was raised by loving parents, Frank Olin Storey and Sylvia Gertrude Hayes. She was the first of three children and enjoyed her role as big sister to Richard Lyman and Sylvia Ann Storey. She lived in the Kansas City area her entire life, graduating from Central High School in 1941. Shortly after her 19th birthday, on September 17, 1943, Audrey married the handsome Elbert Wiley Barker, whom she’d known all her years growing up. They were later sealed in the Logan, Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were married for 63 years until Wiley passed away in April, 2007. This union grew to include seven wonderful children, along with much love and happy chaos. When Wiley’s job with Trans World Airlines required him to commute to New York City to work during the week, Audrey showed how strong and capable she was in caring for their seven children primarily alone, presenting him with all seven, healthy and whole, each weekend when he returned home. She did this for 17 years.
Audrey was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enjoyed her many years of faithful service. Her church callings included serving in the children’s Primary, the women’s Relief Society, as a temple worker in both the Dallas, Texas and St. Louis, Missouri Temples, and as a missionary in the Independence, Missouri Visitor’s Center. Perhaps her favorite calling was serving as an early-morning youth Seminary teacher, which she did for 15 years. She loved all her students. Until her health would no longer allow, she enjoyed attending her church meetings each week and had a favorite
pew in the front of the chapel. It became her pew. She was a woman of great faith and loved her Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Audrey loved to travel with Wiley and enjoyed adventures in many wonderful countries; however, some of her favorite trips to take were the ones visiting her precious grandchildren living in many different places. She had an ongoing competition with her friends for the most grandchildren. While she took pride in the quantity of her grandchildren, she most enjoyed remarking about the “quality” of her grandchildren. She enjoyed playing cards, board games, and dominos, and delighted in teaching each newly discovered game to her grandchildren, often also providing a bowl of candy for prizes and treats – and some stiff competition. Family reunions were a highlight over many years, and Audrey was masterful at providing plentiful food, fun activities, and themed T-shirts, which created treasured memories for everyone. She loved to serve and help others. She was well-known for her Christmas dinner buffet that she provided every year and all were welcome: family, friends, and any others who desired a place to be well-fed and loved. When one of her daughters was diagnosed with cancer, Audrey moved into her home so she could care for her daughter, son-in-law and their six young children. She was a blessing in time of great need. We are grateful that families are forever and that we will be together eternally. We love you, Mother, Grandmother, great-Grandmother, and friend. Until we meet again.
Audrey is survived by her children: Michael (Barbara) Barker, Elizabeth (JD) Helm, David (Karen, deceased) Barker, Deborah (Steven) Ostler, John (Suzette Scholtes) Barker, James (Joy) Barker, son-in-law Craig (Rebecca, deceased) Johnson; 35 beloved grandchildren, 92 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. We express our love and gratitude to JD and Elizabeth Helm for the patient, attentive, and loving care given to Mom after Dad passed away. Thank you!
A viewing and funeral service will be held Friday, March 22, 2019 at the Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, Kansas, 66210. The viewing will begin at 9:30 am and the funeral will follow at 11:00 am. Interment will be at the adjacent Johnson County Memorial Gardens following the services.