BARKER

Elijah Barker a native of Franklinton, LA and a longtime resident of Greenburg, LA departed this life February 27, 2014 at his residence in Greensburg.

A former resident of Franklinton and a longtime resident of Greensburg, Elijah was born in Clifton on May 12, 1940, in Clifton, LA to the late Austin Barker and Irma Lee (Alma) Graves. At an early age he united with New Jerusalem Baptist Church, and later united with St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Greensburg, under the leadership of Pastor Richie Gross. He was a longshoreman and a landscaping architect.

He was joined in holy matrimony to the late Joe Ella Bickham, and they were blessed with two children, Tonie Barker and LaSalle Barker. He later met and married Leola Topps and became a father to eight children — four daughters, Belinda (Luther) Bridges, Willie Mae Wright (Joe), Carolyn Topps (Clinton) and Pamela Topps (Ronald) Davis, all of Greensburg, and four sons, Hollis (Faye) Wright Jr., Charles Topps, Sam (Bridgett) Topps and Lionel Topps, all of Greenburg.

In addition to his children, he leaves to cherish his memories one brother, Almo Barker of Baton Rouge; two sisters, Jerry Smith and Katherine (Leroy) Magee, both of Franklinton; 11 sisters-in-law; 10 brothers-in-law; 19 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be Friday, March 7 at Crain and Sons Funeral Home in Franklinton from 2-5 p.m., followed by a family hour from 6-7 p.m.

Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday at 11 a.m. at New Jerusalem Baptist Church, with the Rev. Johnny Causey officiating. Interment will follow in St. James Cemetery.

Please sign the guestbook at www.crainandsons.com.