Category: 1954

Ben D. Barker died at home on January 2, 2020 from metastatic cancer. He was born December 19, 1931 in Burlington, NC, the son of Guy Edward Barker and Louise King Barker. He married Jeanette Snyder of Burlington and they had three children: Benjamin Edward Barker, Sherry Barker Doherty, and Dale Barker Stapleton. He attended Burlington High school and graduated from Davidson College in 1954.

He received his dental degree with honors from UNC-CH in 1958, subsequently earning a M.Ed at Duke University. He joined the faculty of dentistry at UNC-Chapel Hill in 1958 where he served in various faculty and administrative positions from 1962 to 1975 and as associate dean for academic affairs for 10 years.

In 1975 Dr. Barker joined the W. K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek, Michigan, as program director in health. There he fostered the development of a wide range of national studies in health and health care policy and assisted the foundation’s programming efforts in the United States, Latin America and other regions.

As its first director, he led the initiation of the Kellogg National Fellows Program, a national leadership development endeavor which continued until 2002. Dr. Barker returned to Chapel Hill, serving as dean of the School of Dentistry from 1981 to 1989.

In 1984 he became co-director of the Pew National Dental Education Program, a national leadership development and strategic planning initiative in the nation’s dental schools. Subsequently he served as senior fellow at the Cecil Sheps Center for Health Services Research, was chairman of the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association and chairman of the National Commission on Dental Accreditation. Dr. Barker was a member of the National Academy of Medicine, and served eleven years as a trustee of Davidson College. For his service to the State he received North Carolina’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

During his retirement in Wilmington, NC, he served as a member and chairman of the board of Davis Community, a comprehensive health care facility; on the executive board of Cape Fear CouncilBoy Scouts of America, and as a charter member of the board of visitors at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He was a lifelong Presbyterian, and always proud of being an Eagle Scout.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jeanette Snyder Barker, children Benjamin Edward Barker (Karen-deceased), Sherry Barker Doherty, and Dale Barker Stapleton (Brian), six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and his sister Sara Barker Marshburn of Greensboro.

There will be a celebration of life on January 25 at 2 p.m. in the auditorium of Carolina Meadows, 100 Whippoorwill Lane, Chapel Hill, NC.

Memorial contributions may be sent to No Kid Hungry NC, Gift Fund@UNC; Share Our Strength, P.O. Box 75475, Baltimore, MD 21275-5475; OR the NC Wildlife Federation, 1024 Washington Street, Raleigh, NC 27605.

Copyright (c) 2020 Greensboro News & Record

Claude Henry Booker Jr. passed away on Dec. 25, 2019.

He was born on May 20, 1932, to Claude Henry and Jessie Mae (Moak) Booker in Rome, Ga. As a child growing up during the Great Depression and World War II, he was “Tobby” to his friends.

He graduated from the Darlington School in 1950, where was a member of the Glee Club, the Jabberwokk yearbook staff, the “D” Club, and most importantly pitched on the baseball team, often against much older men who had returned from the war to spend a college prep year at Darlington. Claude supported Darlington for his entire life, serving on its Board of Trustees, as class agent, and as a member of the J. Daniel Hanks Sr. Heritage Society.

He was named a Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient in 2010 and gave a memorable address to the students, painting a picture of a different time in post-war Rome, Ga. when students rose when teachers entered the classroom and students would share football cleats because they could not all afford them.

After Darlington, Claude attended Davidson College and graduated with a BSIM from Georgia Tech (1954) and from Emory’s first MBA class (1955). He spent two years of active service in the U.S. Air Force, attaining reserve commission of Captain. He completed additional studies at the LSU School of Banking of the South, where in later years he would frequently lecture. He then embarked on a successful banking career, with executive positions in several banks across Georgia, eventually as President of the First National Bank and Trust of Augusta (now SunTrust) and Executive Vice President of the Trust Co. of Georgia (now SunTrust). In Augusta, he was a member of Richmond Associates, an investment club with (mostly) reputable members.

During his career, he served in leadership positions in many civic organizations, including the Georgia Council on Economic Education, President of the Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce (1977), Chairman of the United Way of Richmond and Columbia Counties and North Augusta (1975), President of the Georgia-Carolina Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Member of the President’s Advisory Council of the Medical College of Georgia, Director of the Richmond County Unit of the American Cancer Society, President of the Greater Augusta/Fort Gordon Chapter Association of the United States Army, Director of the Georgia Heart Association of Richmond County, State Chairman of the Student Teacher Achievement Recognition Program of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Member of the Board of Visitors of Emory University, Chairman of the Parents’ Committee at Georgia Tech, Kiwanis Club of Augusta, and President of the Savannah Chamber of Commerce (1971).

He was an Elder of the Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church of Augusta, Ga., and St. Simons Presbyterian Church of St. Simons Island, Ga. He continued to lead after retiring from the bank, recently serving as Director of the Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation and as Director of the Sea Island Property Owners Association.

Claude was an avid golfer, and he and his wife Judy were very active in the Southern Seniors and the United States Seniors Golf Associations; Claude organized tournaments on St. Simons and Sea Island after moving there in 1990. Together they traveled the world on golf outings, including a wonderful tour of England, Scotland, and (particularly special to Claude) Ireland.

He thoroughly enjoyed his opportunities to play at the Augusta National Golf Club when living in Augusta, and for many years he generously donated tickets to the Masters Tournament to the Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Capital City Club (Atlanta), the Augusta Country Club, the Ocean Forest Club (Sea Island), the Sea Island Club and the Frederica Golf Club (St. Simons).

Claude inherited a wonderful sense of humor from his father. He was a great storyteller and could recite jokes, poems and limericks, and he was always able to see the humor in every situation. His parents were gifted musicians, and Claude used to say that he could only play the C-scale and the radio, probably because he really would rather be playing baseball. Later in life he would tell us that his golf group had relaxed the rules a bit, such as conceding a putt “if you believed you could make it.” Somewhere along the line his nickname transformed from “Tobby” to “Boogie,” and only his golf buddies know why.

Most importantly, Claude was a great friend. He was humble, kind, and gracious to everyone he met, regardless of life station. He remembered everyone, and everyone loved him. He was a true Southern Gentleman.

Claude will be greatly missed, but we are sure would encourage us to do two things going forward. First, to do the best we can, because, as a great mentor of his used to say, “That’s all a mule can do.” More importantly he would advise, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t enjoy!”

He is survived by Judy (Perry), his wife, love and companion of 39 years; sons, Stephen Timothy Booker (Suzan) of Atlanta and Dr. David Lee Booker of Augusta; daughter, Sydney Catherine Booker of Atlanta; granddaughters, Lee Catherine Booker and Sarah Elizabeth Booker Hugar (Lee) of Pittsburgh; and great-granddaughter Elizabeth “Lizzie” Lee Hugar.

A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, at Ocean Forest Golf Club, on Sea Island, with the Rev. Alan Dyer presiding. A private graveside service will take place at Westover Memorial Cemetery, in Augusta.

The family would like to express heartfelt thanks for memorial contributions made in Claude’s memory to St. Simons Presbyterian Church, 205 Kings Way, St. Simons Island, GA 31522; Darlington School, 1014 Cave Spring Road, Rome, GA 30161; and Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Parkway, Brunswick, GA 31525.

Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home, www.edomillerandsons.com, is in charge of the arrangements.

Family-placed obituary

The Brunswick News, December 28, 2019

Homer G. Sparks, 88, passed away at home in Melbourne, Florida on June 27, 2019. 

Born and raised in Anniston, Alabama, he was the youngest child of Mary and Leonard Sparks. He graduated from Anniston High School in 1949 where he played trombone in the band and was active in the YMCA Hi-Y Council and many other activities.

He began volunteering at the Anniston YMCA USO during World War II under the direction of his life-long mentor W. Paul Alexander, and later directed the YMCA summer day camp. He attended Auburn University before graduating from Davidson College in North Carolina. 

Homer served as a First Lieutenant in the Army as a paratrooper, helicopter and fixed-wing pilot, and flight instructor, and later served in the Connecticut and Tennessee National Guards.

After earning a Master’s of Religious Education from Yale Divinity School, he started his career serving young people as a YMCA Director in Westport, Connecticut and Lebanon, Tennessee. In Lebanon he was also active in the community as a Rotarian, church elder, and part-time professor at Cumberland College. 

In 1976, Homer moved to Melbourne, Florida where he worked as a Realtor and real estate developer. In retirement he enjoyed his family, caregiving for elderly friends, traveling, reading, following politics, and gardening.

Homer was always a positive, adventurous, hands-on person with a tremendous zest for living. He never said no to a trip, never met a stranger, and never stopped telling jokes and funny stories. He was a loyal friend, husband, father, and citizen. 

Homer leaves behind Jean, his wife of 58 years; 4 children with their spouses and partners; 2 grandchildren; and many beloved members of his extended Sparks, Alexander, and Clark families. 

His ashes will be buried in the Fall at the Golden Springs Cemetery, final resting place of many generations of Sparks. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Golden Springs Cemetery Fund here: https://hollowaysparks.net/in-memory-of-homer-sparks/. 

Arrangements are being handled by Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care in Melbourne, Florida. 

Condolences may be left at https://afcfcare.com/obituaries/homer-g-sparks/.

Copyright, 2019, The Anniston Star, Consolidated Publishing Co. All Rights Reserved.

James W. Cannon, Sr. passed away at his residence on May 29, 2019. A native of Hartsville, he was the son of J. Ervin Cannon and Rosa McFall Cannon. He was born August 13, 1932.

He is survived by his wife Glenn Miot Cannon, sons James W. Cannon, Jr. (Reagan), Charles M. Cannon (Clare), daughter Andrea C. Little (Roy) and six grandchildren: Thomas Law Cannon, John Rogers Cannon, Elizabeth Cannon, Charles Cannon, Jr., Peyton Little, and Anne-Hackett Little.

The family is most grateful for the loving care given to him by Lizzie Brown, LaToya Lucas, and Wilhemena Cosom.

Mr. Cannon was a graduate of Hartsville High School class of 1950, and Davidson College class of 1954. He was a life long member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hartsville. He served as Deacon, Elder, Clerk of the Session and a Trustee. He served his community in various civic organizations over his lifetime.

He was president of the Hartsville Jaycees, a member of Kiwanis Club, Hartsville Cotillion Club, Hartsville Chamber of Commerce, Prestwood Country Club, and the Hartsville Planning Commission. He served as a Director of the Bank of Hartsville and on the Board of Directors for Byerly Hospital.

Mr. Cannon was a real estate broker for 45 years and earned his Certified Residential Specialist designation during this time. He served as President of the Hartsville Board of Realtors. He received numerous awards for his contributions and commitments as well as The Order of the Palmetto from former Governor David M. Beasley.

A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Hartsville on Wednesday, June 5 at 4:00 pm. The family will receive friends beginning at 3:00 pm in the church Narthex. The burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Hartsville. Brown-Pennington-Atkins funeral home is caring for the family.

James W. Cannon, Sr. passed away at his residence on May 29, 2019. A native of Hartsville, he was the son of J. Ervin Cannon and Rosa McFall Cannon. He was born August 13, 1932.

He is survived by his wife Glenn Miot Cannon, sons James W. Cannon, Jr. (Reagan), Charles M. Cannon (Clare), daughter Andrea C. Little (Roy) and six grandchildren: Thomas Law Cannon, John Rogers Cannon, Elizabeth Cannon, Charles Cannon, Jr., Peyton Little, and Anne-Hackett Little.

The family is most grateful for the loving care given to him by Lizzie Brown, LaToya Lucas, and Wilhemena Cosom.

Mr. Cannon was a graduate of Hartsville High School class of 1950, and Davidson College class of 1954. He was a life long member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hartsville. He served as Deacon, Elder, Clerk of the Session and a Trustee. He served his community in various civic organizations over his lifetime.

He was president of the Hartsville Jaycees, a member of Kiwanis Club, Hartsville Cotillion Club, Hartsville Chamber of Commerce, Prestwood Country Club, and the Hartsville Planning Commission. He served as a Director of the Bank of Hartsville and on the Board of Directors for Byerly Hospital.

Mr. Cannon was a real estate broker for 45 years and earned his Certified Residential Specialist designation during this time. He served as President of the Hartsville Board of Realtors. He received numerous awards for his contributions and commitments as well as The Order of the Palmetto from former Governor David M. Beasley.

A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Hartsville on Wednesday, June 5 at 4:00 pm. The family will receive friends beginning at 3:00 pm in the church Narthex. The burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Hartsville. Brown-Pennington-Atkins funeral home is caring for the family.