Mildred La Delle Barker

9/13/1933 - 5/26/22

Mildred passed away peacefully at home on May 26th 2022. She was 88 years old.

Born to Freddie & Homer Douglas Downs on Sept 13th 1933 at their home on South 1st and St. Elmo in Travis County. When Mildred was 8 months old they moved to Lampasas when her father found work at Southern Pacific Railroad. Her brother "Sonny" was born when she was 2. At the age of 3, the family moved to Chilton, where her sister Mary was born the following year. Later that year they moved back to Manchaca where her daddy ran his father's grocery store after he passed away. 5th grade they moved to South Austin and she started 6th grade at Fulmore where she played the clarinet in the beginner's band, moving up to Band 2 in 7th grade. It was on a band trip her 10th grade year at Austin High School that she met Bill Barker who had graduated the year before. Bill said he saw her sitting backwards on the bus, such a cutie he couldn't take his eyes off her. They were engaged soon after and have been sweethearts ever since. Their band director, Mr. Covington, offered them work playing with the Municipal Band at Barton Springs during the summers. She married Bill Barker on November 25th 1950 and graduated from Austin High School in June 1951. After marrying, Mildred worked as a bookkeeper at the Stephen F. Austin Hotel off Congress Ave.

Together they welcomed 4 children and side-by-side owned and operated their family business Barker Office Furniture for 30 years (Aug 1969 to Aug 1999) She started many traditions that will live on forever, especially Cookie Day with the grandkids, which continued through the years to include great grandkids. Mildred enjoyed time with family and as a longtime member of Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ she had many dear friends she treasured. She was an avid reader and writer, even writing an autobiography at age 17. She kept meticulous records which will forever be cherished by her family. She had lots of interests including genealogy, puzzles, collecting coffee mugs, enjoying time off for 'Fridays with Bill', and travel. During their travels she and Bill visited all Texas Courthouses and County seats.

Mildred is preceded in death by her son Larry Barker, daughter-in-law Patty and grandson John Barker.

She is survived by her loving husband of 71 years, Bill Barker; son Clyde Barker and wife Pat; son Scott Barker and wife Margaret and daughter Sandra Theodoropoulos and husband Nick. Grandchildren: Rebecca and Justin Glaab, Stephanie and Terry Sharp, Jeff and Sally Barker. Great Grandchildren: Jace, Rylee, Hunter and Hailey.

Thank you to the Brentwood Oaks members for the beautiful cards and demonstrating the true meaning of "EVEN APART - WE ARE TOGETHER." Our deepest gratitude to Rainier Hospice; Dan & Gracie we are so grateful for you.

Funeral service: Thursday June 2nd 2PM at Harrell Funeral Home, 4435 Frontier Trail, Austin Texas. Burial following at Cook Walden Forest Oaks Memorial Park, 6300 William Cannon, Austin, Texas.