Janis Faye Barker

This is the story of Janis Kee Barker. Janis was a wonderful & virtuous woman that was loved, is missed, and will always be cherished. Our “Nana” as she liked to be called by her grandchildren was an amazing mom, daughter, friend, piano player, singer, cook & interior decorator. She had talent & creativity like no other.

Janis’ story began on March 15th, 1949, the oldest child to Oscar Lee & Lillie Blake Kee. Janis was born in Dyess, AR. When she was little, Oscar & Lillie moved their small family to Jonesboro where Janis would grow up. She was given a brother, Danny Kee, in 1957. They moved to Caraway when she was in High School where she would make many lifelong friends.

Janis sat down to play the piano at the age of 8 with no lessons. Her first public appearance was at the age of 13 when she began playing for church & revivals all around the area as well as many talent shows.

The absolute love of her life was becoming the mother of her girls, Amanda & Ann Marie.She had a fierce love for her children. Janis was renowned for all of her creativity. Just to name a few, ringing the dinner bell, her wonderful cooking & baking, her gift of interior design, her love of plants, flowers, trees, animals & all of God’s creation.

She taught God’s word to many women for years being the ladies Bible study teacher in Milligan Ridge, Caraway & Jonesboro. She served as the church pianist for most of her life. She was a wonderful friend to so many.

Anyone who knew Janis knows that love & affection flowed from her. Her testimony was that of grace and love. She would want to share with you God’s Love. 1 John 4:7-8 (NLT) - Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

Loved ones that have gone home before her are her Mother & Daddy & 2 unborn children. Loved ones that will miss & cherish her until they meet again are her 2 daughters, Amanda Little (Jim) & Ann Marie Burch (Eric), her brother, Danny Kee & her grandchildren, Beau Alexander, Hayden Burch, & Blane Smith.

And so the story goes on until we see our Momma & Nana again. We love, cherish & miss you.

The visitation is at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro from 10am until 11:30 Friday, November 19, 2021. The burial will be at the Caraway Cemetery in Caraway, AR at 12:30pm following the visitation. We would like to thank the pallbearers: Billy Barker, Jim Little, Blane Smith, Beau Alexander, Eric Burch, and Hayden Burch.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer's Association. 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601. Donations are tax deductible.