Joy Barker Tarwater
May 1, 1950 — March 6, 2025
Joy Melanie Barker was born to Evan and Corinna Barker in Fairfield, Alabama on May 1, 1950. She graduated from Fairfield High School in 1968 and attended the University of Montevallo before attending and graduating from the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. In 1974, she married Chester Eugene Tarwater Jr. She started her career as a caseworker and later worked in customer service at JCPenney. She raised her two beloved children in Pleasant Grove, Alabama. She was a devoted member of Emmanuel Free Methodist Church of Birmingham. She passed away peacefully on March 6, 2025.
Joy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 47 years, her son, Kary Tarwater, and her daughter, Sharon Tarwater. She is survived by her grandchildren, Brandon Tarwater, Kathryn Whited, Emma Whited and Nathan Tarwater, sister, Elaine Richmond, brother, Neil (Mardi) Barker, and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A service will be held Monday, March 17, 2025 at 10:15 AM in Alabama National Cemetery, Montevallo, AL.
Joy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 47 years, her son, Kary Tarwater, and her daughter, Sharon Tarwater. She is survived by her grandchildren, Brandon Tarwater, Kathryn Whited, Emma Whited and Nathan Tarwater, sister, Elaine Richmond, brother, Neil (Mardi) Barker, and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A service will be held Monday, March 17, 2025 at 10:15 AM in Alabama National Cemetery, Montevallo, AL.
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