FARMINGTON – On Feb. 19, 2019, Donna slipped away peacefully at home to join her sweetheart and life partner of 67 years, Louie; a beloved son, Rodney Aaron; her mother, Anne; her sister, Dorothy; and other cherished loved ones that were waiting for her at their eternal heavenly home.
She was one of two children born to John and Anne Bradley Sommer, in Farmington, on July 24, 1932. Her sibling was Dorothy Sommer Moore.
Donna and her family moved to Livermore Falls, where they lived for six months due to her father’s job selling insurance; then to Farmington when she was eight years old; and would later move to a camp at Clearwater Lake in Industry where she enjoyed swimming and the camp life. She attended Farmington schools where she was very active in sports and cheerleading. She is the only cheerleader known that did one arm cartwheels around the gymnasium. Donna graduated from Farmington High School in 1951 and married her high school sweetheart, Louie Edward Barker, soon after graduating, on Nov. 18, 1951. They had four children; Marla Ann (Dubay), Ricky Leigh, Randal Scott I and Rodney Aaron. Donna was a member of the Open Bible Baptist Church in New Vineyard and more recently the New Hope Baptist Church in Farmington where they made many more friends.
One of Donna’s past passions was cooking for which she received many awards and especially recognition from her family. She enjoyed dune buggying, ATVing, camping, a once a year trip to the coast for a lobster feed, and the yearly visits from her niece Candy Moore Wilson and husband Norbet of Virginia and her nephew Mike Moore and wife Jan and friend Annie from New York.
Donna worked short intervals out of the home as a waitress at Barney’s Restaurant located at the Mt. Blue Shopping Center, and as a custodian at Edgewood Manor Nursing Home and Orchard Park Nursing Home, all in Farmington. Her primary work and care was for her handicapped son, Rodney and her other three children.
Donna was a sacrificial, devoted, loving and giving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend.
She is survived by: her children; Marla Ann (Dubay), Ricky Leigh and Randal Scott I; 5 grandchildren; Jessica Barker Quimby, Jennifer Barker Getchell, Jocelyn Barker, Randal Barker II, Sabrina Barker Macomber; 13 great grandchildren, Autumn, Abby, Ashlyn, and Ricky Quimby, Kyle and Kaysie Getchell, Troy and Emma Hilton, Chelse, Britnie, Morgan-Ashli, Kasadie Mae, and Randal Barker III; along with many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by; her husband, Louie Edward Barker; son,Rodney Aaron; parents, John and Anne Bradley Sommer; sister, Dorothy Sommer Moore; brothers in-law, Richard W. Moore, Lester Barker Jr., and Stanton Ellis Sr; father in-law; Lester Barker Sr.; mother-in-law, Phyllis Duley Barker; and sister in law, Betty Barker Ellis.
The family would like to thank Lee and Cheryl Schanz, for their continued support, Pastor Brian Rebert, friends and relatives that have prayed and offered condolences, the EMT’s, Deputy Brad Scovil, Deputy Rossi, Scott Adams and Jeffrey Wright for their caring consideration of the family.
Donations in Donna’s memory may be made to the Franklin County Animal Shelter, 550 Industry Road, Farmington, ME 04938.
On Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., at Dan and Scott’s Cremation and Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Road, in Farmington; and a funeral service will be held the following day, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, at 2 p.m. with Pastor Brian Rebert officiating. A reception will follow at the same location. Interment for Louie and Donna will be in the North Farmington Cemetery in the spring.
Good by class mate and long time friend.
You are now with Louie and Rodney.
My sincere condolences to Family.
Prayers and Hugs.
To all of Donna’s Family; My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this very sad time. I am glad I got to see Donna just a few weeks ago. May she rest in peace with all her loved ones.
Our thoughts and prayers goes out to Donna`s family. Donna was an amazing person, so special to all who knew her. She will be missed. She has earned her wings… rest in peace!
My thoughts and prayers are with all of Donna’s family. She is now flying with the Angels. I’m sure that Louie was waiting for her with open arms. May she rest in peace!!
Prayers and condolences to the Barker family. Remember spending time with Marla and family when we were younger. Donna and Louie were always welcoming, and yes, Donna was a great cook.
My sincere condolences to the Barker family .
I’m sure Louie was waiting with open arms .
My thoughts and prayers are with you all .
Sounds like a wonderful woman. Condolences to all of you.
I have always admired Louis and Donna. They were the kind of folks that always made me feel special. I just wished that I could have spent more time with them. Soon! We will have all day to fellowship together with our LORD!!! I will be in Texas visiting my children and grandchildren during the funeral service. I just want the family and mutual friends to know that my heart is with you during the services. Goodnight Donna. We will see you in the morning!
I just read the read the news of your parents,,,,,so so so sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers are with the whole family, We are an unique bunch of kids to have grown up and live with theses parents,,,,,,love you guys always,,,,,,Carrie and Scott Ames
My heart is broken. I will miss my Aunt Donna and Uncle Louie forever. She was my mom’s sister and my brother Mike and I would come up to Farmington from our home in Portland to spend a week or two every summer. The best weeks of my youth. Horseback riding on Lucky with Cheryl, baseball with the Ellis boys, my Aunt Donna’s wonderful meals…Mike was in the woods somewhere with Uncle Louie…playing with the young cousins…wonderful memories. I know you will look out for all of us, Aunt Donna and Uncle Louie, and know that we will be here thinking of you. Candy