PARENTS: William Henry Barker & Lucy Helen Mason.
William, b. 1893; d. 1957.
Lucy, b. 1896; d. 1990.
William married Lucy Helen Mason on 19 Apr 1914 in Lukens, Carteret Co., NC. Lucy was b. Browns Creek, Carteret Co., NC.
ORIENTAL'S OLDEST CITIZEN PASSES - Graden Lee Barker passed peacefully on October 15, 2010 at the age of 93 where he resided in Oriental since 1919.
Graden was born in the South River Community of Lukens on June 21, 1917, to Henry Barker and Lucy Helen Mason Barker. Within the year, the family moved across the river to Oriental where Henry raised cotton on a 25-acre farm owned by his wife's family.
In 1924, the Barkers moved into the 1883 Midyette House, now the second oldest house in Oriental. Henry eventually ran tugboats, on which Graden worked for a few years before he began shrimping in the 1930s.
Graden worked for 85 years on the waters along the eastern seaboard, but mostly within the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound. His largest shrimp boat was the 46-foot trawler Lucy Helen.
Graden met his wife, the love of his life, Evelyn Neal Beacham, while in high school in Oriental in the early 1930s. He often told that since it was the Great Depression, they would share one cigarette while walking home for lunch, with Graden smoking the first half as he lived closer, and Evelyn the second half as she continued on.
The couple married at 18 on December 3, 1936 in Beaufort. They shared a long and faithful marriage of over 67 years. The greatest joy in their lives were the three children they raised in Oriental: Graden Lee Jr., Bill and Victoria.
In high school, Graden enjoyed playing baseball, and was called "lefty" since he was left-handed. He remained a Carolina and Chicago Cubs fan his entire life and avidly followed basketball games on TV.
He survived three major hurricanes that struck Oriental, one in 1933 and two in 1955, with the 1933 storm almost flooding the house.
Graden was a long time member of the Freemasons and supported their work on behalf of widows and orphans. Graden remained full of life and quick-witted until the end. You never had to wonder what his opinion was about anything-–he would tell you. Graden shared many life-long friendships and though all of us wish he could have stayed with us a bit longer, we are all glad that he lived to hear the news of his grandchildren's successes, the upcoming birth of his great-grandson and the upcoming nuptials of his youngest granddaughter.
Graden was admired by those who knew him well and will be deeply missed by those who loved him most although we know he is happiest now at peace reunited with his family in Heaven.
Graden was preceded in death by Evelyn, his wife of 67 years, and their son, Graden Lee Jr., a nuclear physicist with the U.S. Navy.
He is survived by his son, Senator Bill Barker of Vanceboro, and daughter, Victoria Taylor of Oriental. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Mary Margaret Barker of Newport News, VA, Jorja Jamison of Minneapolis, MN, Virginia Thomas of Bluecreek, WA, Jason Taylor of Paris, ME, and Maggy Taylor of New Bern.
Graden donated his remains to the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.
A memorial service will be held at Bryant Funeral Home, Alliance, celebrating the lives of Graden and Evelyn on Thursday, October 21 at 6 p.m. with visitation of family and friends immediately following.
(Obit published in the New Bern, NC "Sun Journal" on Wednesday, October 20, 2010.)
Note: Graden married Evelyn Neal Beacham, daughter of Paul Bryan Beacham Sr. and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Hunnings, on 3 Dec 1936 in Beaufort, Carteret Co., NC.
William, b. 1893; d. 1957.
Lucy, b. 1896; d. 1990.
William married Lucy Helen Mason on 19 Apr 1914 in Lukens, Carteret Co., NC. Lucy was b. Browns Creek, Carteret Co., NC.
ORIENTAL'S OLDEST CITIZEN PASSES - Graden Lee Barker passed peacefully on October 15, 2010 at the age of 93 where he resided in Oriental since 1919.
Graden was born in the South River Community of Lukens on June 21, 1917, to Henry Barker and Lucy Helen Mason Barker. Within the year, the family moved across the river to Oriental where Henry raised cotton on a 25-acre farm owned by his wife's family.
In 1924, the Barkers moved into the 1883 Midyette House, now the second oldest house in Oriental. Henry eventually ran tugboats, on which Graden worked for a few years before he began shrimping in the 1930s.
Graden worked for 85 years on the waters along the eastern seaboard, but mostly within the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound. His largest shrimp boat was the 46-foot trawler Lucy Helen.
Graden met his wife, the love of his life, Evelyn Neal Beacham, while in high school in Oriental in the early 1930s. He often told that since it was the Great Depression, they would share one cigarette while walking home for lunch, with Graden smoking the first half as he lived closer, and Evelyn the second half as she continued on.
The couple married at 18 on December 3, 1936 in Beaufort. They shared a long and faithful marriage of over 67 years. The greatest joy in their lives were the three children they raised in Oriental: Graden Lee Jr., Bill and Victoria.
In high school, Graden enjoyed playing baseball, and was called "lefty" since he was left-handed. He remained a Carolina and Chicago Cubs fan his entire life and avidly followed basketball games on TV.
He survived three major hurricanes that struck Oriental, one in 1933 and two in 1955, with the 1933 storm almost flooding the house.
Graden was a long time member of the Freemasons and supported their work on behalf of widows and orphans. Graden remained full of life and quick-witted until the end. You never had to wonder what his opinion was about anything-–he would tell you. Graden shared many life-long friendships and though all of us wish he could have stayed with us a bit longer, we are all glad that he lived to hear the news of his grandchildren's successes, the upcoming birth of his great-grandson and the upcoming nuptials of his youngest granddaughter.
Graden was admired by those who knew him well and will be deeply missed by those who loved him most although we know he is happiest now at peace reunited with his family in Heaven.
Graden was preceded in death by Evelyn, his wife of 67 years, and their son, Graden Lee Jr., a nuclear physicist with the U.S. Navy.
He is survived by his son, Senator Bill Barker of Vanceboro, and daughter, Victoria Taylor of Oriental. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Mary Margaret Barker of Newport News, VA, Jorja Jamison of Minneapolis, MN, Virginia Thomas of Bluecreek, WA, Jason Taylor of Paris, ME, and Maggy Taylor of New Bern.
Graden donated his remains to the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.
A memorial service will be held at Bryant Funeral Home, Alliance, celebrating the lives of Graden and Evelyn on Thursday, October 21 at 6 p.m. with visitation of family and friends immediately following.
(Obit published in the New Bern, NC "Sun Journal" on Wednesday, October 20, 2010.)
Note: Graden married Evelyn Neal Beacham, daughter of Paul Bryan Beacham Sr. and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Hunnings, on 3 Dec 1936 in Beaufort, Carteret Co., NC.
PARENTS: William Henry Barker & Lucy Helen Mason.
William, b. 1893; d. 1957.
Lucy, b. 1896; d. 1990.
William married Lucy Helen Mason on 19 Apr 1914 in Lukens, Carteret Co., NC. Lucy was b. Browns Creek, Carteret Co., NC.
ORIENTAL'S OLDEST CITIZEN PASSES - Graden Lee Barker passed peacefully on October 15, 2010 at the age of 93 where he resided in Oriental since 1919.
Graden was born in the South River Community of Lukens on June 21, 1917, to Henry Barker and Lucy Helen Mason Barker. Within the year, the family moved across the river to Oriental where Henry raised cotton on a 25-acre farm owned by his wife's family.
In 1924, the Barkers moved into the 1883 Midyette House, now the second oldest house in Oriental. Henry eventually ran tugboats, on which Graden worked for a few years before he began shrimping in the 1930s.
Graden worked for 85 years on the waters along the eastern seaboard, but mostly within the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound. His largest shrimp boat was the 46-foot trawler Lucy Helen.
Graden met his wife, the love of his life, Evelyn Neal Beacham, while in high school in Oriental in the early 1930s. He often told that since it was the Great Depression, they would share one cigarette while walking home for lunch, with Graden smoking the first half as he lived closer, and Evelyn the second half as she continued on.
The couple married at 18 on December 3, 1936 in Beaufort. They shared a long and faithful marriage of over 67 years. The greatest joy in their lives were the three children they raised in Oriental: Graden Lee Jr., Bill and Victoria.
In high school, Graden enjoyed playing baseball, and was called "lefty" since he was left-handed. He remained a Carolina and Chicago Cubs fan his entire life and avidly followed basketball games on TV.
He survived three major hurricanes that struck Oriental, one in 1933 and two in 1955, with the 1933 storm almost flooding the house.
Graden was a long time member of the Freemasons and supported their work on behalf of widows and orphans. Graden remained full of life and quick-witted until the end. You never had to wonder what his opinion was about anything-–he would tell you. Graden shared many life-long friendships and though all of us wish he could have stayed with us a bit longer, we are all glad that he lived to hear the news of his grandchildren's successes, the upcoming birth of his great-grandson and the upcoming nuptials of his youngest granddaughter.
Graden was admired by those who knew him well and will be deeply missed by those who loved him most although we know he is happiest now at peace reunited with his family in Heaven.
Graden was preceded in death by Evelyn, his wife of 67 years, and their son, Graden Lee Jr., a nuclear physicist with the U.S. Navy.
He is survived by his son, Senator Bill Barker of Vanceboro, and daughter, Victoria Taylor of Oriental. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Mary Margaret Barker of Newport News, VA, Jorja Jamison of Minneapolis, MN, Virginia Thomas of Bluecreek, WA, Jason Taylor of Paris, ME, and Maggy Taylor of New Bern.
Graden donated his remains to the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.
A memorial service will be held at Bryant Funeral Home, Alliance, celebrating the lives of Graden and Evelyn on Thursday, October 21 at 6 p.m. with visitation of family and friends immediately following.
(Obit published in the New Bern, NC "Sun Journal" on Wednesday, October 20, 2010.)
Note: Graden married Evelyn Neal Beacham, daughter of Paul Bryan Beacham Sr. and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Hunnings, on 3 Dec 1936 in Beaufort, Carteret Co., NC.
William, b. 1893; d. 1957.
Lucy, b. 1896; d. 1990.
William married Lucy Helen Mason on 19 Apr 1914 in Lukens, Carteret Co., NC. Lucy was b. Browns Creek, Carteret Co., NC.
ORIENTAL'S OLDEST CITIZEN PASSES - Graden Lee Barker passed peacefully on October 15, 2010 at the age of 93 where he resided in Oriental since 1919.
Graden was born in the South River Community of Lukens on June 21, 1917, to Henry Barker and Lucy Helen Mason Barker. Within the year, the family moved across the river to Oriental where Henry raised cotton on a 25-acre farm owned by his wife's family.
In 1924, the Barkers moved into the 1883 Midyette House, now the second oldest house in Oriental. Henry eventually ran tugboats, on which Graden worked for a few years before he began shrimping in the 1930s.
Graden worked for 85 years on the waters along the eastern seaboard, but mostly within the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound. His largest shrimp boat was the 46-foot trawler Lucy Helen.
Graden met his wife, the love of his life, Evelyn Neal Beacham, while in high school in Oriental in the early 1930s. He often told that since it was the Great Depression, they would share one cigarette while walking home for lunch, with Graden smoking the first half as he lived closer, and Evelyn the second half as she continued on.
The couple married at 18 on December 3, 1936 in Beaufort. They shared a long and faithful marriage of over 67 years. The greatest joy in their lives were the three children they raised in Oriental: Graden Lee Jr., Bill and Victoria.
In high school, Graden enjoyed playing baseball, and was called "lefty" since he was left-handed. He remained a Carolina and Chicago Cubs fan his entire life and avidly followed basketball games on TV.
He survived three major hurricanes that struck Oriental, one in 1933 and two in 1955, with the 1933 storm almost flooding the house.
Graden was a long time member of the Freemasons and supported their work on behalf of widows and orphans. Graden remained full of life and quick-witted until the end. You never had to wonder what his opinion was about anything-–he would tell you. Graden shared many life-long friendships and though all of us wish he could have stayed with us a bit longer, we are all glad that he lived to hear the news of his grandchildren's successes, the upcoming birth of his great-grandson and the upcoming nuptials of his youngest granddaughter.
Graden was admired by those who knew him well and will be deeply missed by those who loved him most although we know he is happiest now at peace reunited with his family in Heaven.
Graden was preceded in death by Evelyn, his wife of 67 years, and their son, Graden Lee Jr., a nuclear physicist with the U.S. Navy.
He is survived by his son, Senator Bill Barker of Vanceboro, and daughter, Victoria Taylor of Oriental. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Mary Margaret Barker of Newport News, VA, Jorja Jamison of Minneapolis, MN, Virginia Thomas of Bluecreek, WA, Jason Taylor of Paris, ME, and Maggy Taylor of New Bern.
Graden donated his remains to the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.
A memorial service will be held at Bryant Funeral Home, Alliance, celebrating the lives of Graden and Evelyn on Thursday, October 21 at 6 p.m. with visitation of family and friends immediately following.
(Obit published in the New Bern, NC "Sun Journal" on Wednesday, October 20, 2010.)
Note: Graden married Evelyn Neal Beacham, daughter of Paul Bryan Beacham Sr. and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Hunnings, on 3 Dec 1936 in Beaufort, Carteret Co., NC.
Family Members
Children
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
