Reverend James Byron Barker, Iii

Reverend James Byron Barker, III of Winston-Salem, peacefully passed away on Sunday, December 5, 2021.  He was born on December 18, 1948, and raised in Jonesborough, TN. He was the only child of James Byron Barker, II, and Anna Louise Miller Barker. He was a graduate of Jonesboro High School and Tennessee Temple University. He was a pastor, counselor, and friend to many people over his fifty years of ministry. One of his greatest strengths was his ability to connect with people from all backgrounds. He was always available with encouraging, compassionate words and/or logical analysis depending on the situation. His ministry as a pastor began in Tennessee and led him to North Carolina. He was pastor at Rich Fork Baptist Church in Thomasville for over two decades and then with Lifepoint Church in Lexington where he continued to pastor and lead. Previously, he served on the board for Habitat For Humanity in Davidson County, answered telephone crisis lines, and was president of his homeowner’s association. More recently, he was in the process of becoming a volunteer with Crisis Control Ministry in Forsyth County. He is survived by his family, Jonathan & Tara (Barker) Stanley and Gerry & Courtney (Barker) Gibson. He has four grandsons: Alex Cooper, Bryson Cooper, Bennett Gibson, and Turner Gibson. He is also survived by his aunts, Marie Miller and Mary Jo Roseberry and many cousins, including Vicky (Miller) Livesay and her husband, Bill. There are additional close family and friends too numerous to name because he was loved by many and impacted lives whether one knew him for forty years or two months. His family will have a private service at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel.  A public service to celebrate Rev. Barker's life will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 18, 2021, at Lifepoint Church, 424 E. 9th St. Ext., Lexington, NC 27292.  In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions be made in Rev. Barker’s memory to Crisis Control Ministry in Forsyth County, 200 East Tenth St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101.  Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is serving the family of Rev. Barker.