Shirley J. Barker, 83, of Mexico, died June 10, 2025, at her home in Mexico surrounded by family and friends.

A visitation and celebration of life will be held Saturday June 14, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Simmons Stables in Mexico, with a private family service from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Shirley was born May 9, 1942, a daughter of Paul and Delta Gibbons. She graduated from Mexico High School. She married Howard Barker of Benton City on August 14, 1960. They were charter members of Kentucky Road Christian Church.

Living on their farm is where her love for animals began and she started Puppy Love Haven where she met pet lovers all over Missouri until 2002. Later her passion was caring for the sick and elderly and started Barker's Home Care, along with her caregivers provided loving care to many families in Central Missouri.

She loved to travel and meeting forever friends. She loved cooking and baking and many times cooked for the homeless and those homebound. She loved flowers and kept an amazing flower garden around her home. After the death of her daughter Debbie, she took pride in a memorial garden dedicated to her. She shared generously with family and others, and always had a smile and a kind word to everyone she met.

Survivors include one son, Dan Barker, of Mexico; brother, John Gibbons of Mexico; sister, Betty Galen and husband Larry, of Columbia; son-in-law, Tom Usnick; brother-in-law, Lyndal Barker and wife, Ruthie, of Mexico; sister-in-law, Shirley Kruse and husband, Norman, of Hyattsville, Maryland and sister-in-law, Beverley Whitaker, of Tallahassee, Florida; grandchildren, Chris White (Samantha), Mia Maylee (Dylan), Katie Burson (Cody), Daniel Barker (Cam), Casey Usnick (Nikki), Robert Usnick, Emily Usnick; 14 great grandchildren; and step-mother-in-law, Rheva Tratchel.

She was preceded in death by husband Howard; beloved daughter, Debbie; parents, Paul & Delta Gibbons; brothers, Kenneth, Dale, and sister-in-law, Dorothy; step-father-in-law, Robert Tratchel; a special companion, Doug Balser; and numerous other family members.

Memorials may be given to Central Christian College of the Bible, or Simmons' Stables. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265