Peggy Jayne Barker

Peggy Jayne Barker on August 24, 2024, completed her earthly journey and now joins the heavenly kingdom. “Well done, Peggy, good and faithful servant.” 

The family will receive friends from 10:00 – 10:45 AM Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at Wilkerson Funeral Home and the graveside service will follow 11:00 AM at Evergreen Memory Gardens with Rev. Andrew Brown officiating. 

Peggy was born in Reidsville, N.C. Feb. 2, 1938, to Frances Wall Barker and Robert Wheeler Barker. She was involved in the life of First Presbyterian Church, beginning in early childhood on through youth groups, choirs, retreats, and in church leadership positions She was talented in piano. With her outgoing personality she attracted many friends and enjoyed days of sharing life with her peers as well as assuming school leadership positions.

Upon graduating from high school, she pursued higher education first at Mitchell Presbyterian College in Statesville, N.C. in business and later attended a Christian College prior to working at Cone Hospital in Medical Records and later Greensboro College. After working in the Billy Graham Pavilion at the World’s Fair in New York, she settled in the area of New York and Washington and pursued a professional development in areas of Management for Government at American Management Association, Washington, Creative Speech Writing and Funding for Charity Seminars at American University in Washington, Successful Grant Writing at the U.S Department of Education, Washington , the Political Fundraising Seminars at the Republican National Committee, Washington, Conference on entrepreneurship, Duke University, Durham, and International Elections Training, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Vienna, Austria. 

With her professional pursuits she then contributed her service at the Rockefeller Campaign in New York, the Nixon Campaign and National Republican Congressional Committee in Washington, and the U.S. State Department Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe-Republika, Sypska, Bosnia, and Herzegovina. 

Upon retirement, Peggy returned to the Greensboro area, creating her own advertising company in marketing, communications, and consulting services, and assisting places of higher education in fund raising and public relations. Her expertise in public relations, fund raising, consultative skills, along with her local, state, and federal government expertise enabled many to reach their own goals as they sought help in areas of her strengths, her knowledge, and her genuine interest in helping others to succeed in their endeavors.

After a courageous time of struggle of over twenty-five years of the debilitating disease of Parkinson’s, she enters her Heavenly Home, leaving behind examples of courage and determination. In the place of helplessness, she now again receives her strength and wellness. Her needs are now completely met, no longer having to count on the hope every day that others might be kind enough to reach out in love in compassion, and in empathy. The broken Parkinson body is now made whole again. Life’s difficult journey meets in the joys of that heavenly kingdom, promised to those who believe and trust in God’s promises to His people, the God who created us and the God who mends us.

 Peggy was predeceased by her parents. Robert Wheeler Barker and Frances Wall Barker, brother, Reverend Thomas William Barker, sister-in-law, Nancy Boyd Barker, great nephew Joshua M. Barker and Luke Barker. She is survived by her sister Betty Ruth Barker Wilkerson and husband, Tommy, of Charlotte, N.C., and many beloved nephews and nieces in various parts of North Carolina and other countries.

 In her busy, professional life she still recognized the need for service to others and contributed her talents to various clubs and organizations, often serving as lecturer/public speaker. She founded and organized charity projects, one of which provided Christmas and Summer Camp for 1,500 needy Washington, D.C. youth. Gifted with organizational skills she procured funds for sports equipment to basketball and soccer teams in Republika Srpska, Bosnia, and Herzegovina. She then boarded the plane to deliver these gifts, returning to Bosnia. Working with the Salvation Army for Easter projects in Washington or providing for the hungry through her skills and compassion, she cared deeply for those in need. In Greensboro, Conrad Paysour wrote of the worthy project created and led by Peggy to help those in need. The planned project was covered by Channels 2, 8, 12, and 48 along with local radio stations, featuring a wealthy family and a poverty family at Christmas. The outstanding response enabled many families who had enough to bless others in order that they could have more.

Among her files, a few reference letters were discovered, describing their association with Peggy in areas of her career.

 Former Congressman Jim Martin and North Carolina Governor (1985-1993) wrote, “I have known Peggy since she was a very young lady. I know her to be a person of integrity. She is intelligent, professional, and a leader with the ability to inspire and bring out the best in others. She worked for me when I served in Congress and working with her enabled me to better do my work. Her political and public relations are outstanding.” 

James F. Morgan wrote, “Peggy is a person of integrity and an asset to whatever business, politician, or charity she promotes. I have known Peggy for many years. I first met her when I served in the North Carolina General Assembly.” 

Robert Neal Hunter, Jr. wrote “I know Ms. Barker to be a person of high standards in her personal and business life. Her ability to lead and inspire enthusiasm in others is impressive. Whatever she does, she will perform beyond expectations. Also, when I served as campaign chairman for a N.C. Attorney, General candidate, her firm, Barker and Associates enabled a most successful public relations event beyond anyone’s expectations.

 Ned A. Cline (writer, consultant) wrote “I have always observed her to be a true professional in her “assigned duties and genuinely dedicated to the needs of her clients. She was in one word, Trustworthy.”

 Nelson Cole, North Carolina House of Representatives wrote “Peggy has my respect for her professionalism and for her work ethics as observed when she served as a PR Consultant for me. When I opened a new General Motors dealership in N.C., and she served as a campaign and finance consultant to me in my first successful campaign for the N.C. State House of Representatives. She is loyal and can be trusted. She maintains high standards and inspires the same in others.”

Parkinson Disease may have taken Peggy’s present and Parkinson Disease may have taken her future. We are all thankful that it did not take all her past, for she has touched and blessed many lives by her dedication to honor and truth and service. 

 Appreciation to the many dedicated people, over these twenty-five years, who visited Peggy, encouraged her, served her well, and understood with love the disease she endured for these many years. The measure of gratitude from her and from her family is immense. 

Memorials may be made to: Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s ... www.davisphinneyfoundation.org