Edith McInelly Barker

Edith Barker
Henrieville, Utah

     Our mother, grandmother, and friend, Edith McInelly Barker, 96, of Henrieville, passed away in the late afternoon on December 26, 2024, at the Long-Term Care Center in Panguitch.  
     Edith was born on August 9, 1928, to Lester and Golda Woolsey McInelly in Escalante, as the third of eight siblings. She married Amon Loy Barker on March 10, 1950, in Junction. He preceded her in death on May 14, 2007. Their marriage was later solemnized on her birthday in 2008 in the St. George Utah Temple. 
     The early years of Edith’s life were spent in Escalante and later in Antimony, where her parents owned the north half of the Center Creek Ranch southeast of town. Springs, summers, and falls were spent at the ranch, with winters spent in town. Later, she lived with her McInelly grandparents in Escalante and attended high school there, graduating in 1947. After her marriage and a short stay in Antimony, she and Amon moved to Salt Lake City. However, their time there was brief, and they relocated to Henrieville in 1953. 
      Edith lived her entire life in humble circumstances, growing up during the Great Depression and World War II. She raised six sons and a daughter and was known for her resilience and contentment with what she had. None of her family ever heard her complain or desire more than she possessed. To help support the family, Edith worked various jobs at Bryce Canyon National Park, Ruby’s Inn, and as the manager of the sewing plant in Henrieville. 
     Three of the greatest highlights of her life were her travels to Boston and Germany with her youngest son, David, and the many trips she and Amon enjoyed after they retired and became empty nesters. 
     As a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Edith served in numerous callings, including roles in the Primary and Relief Society. She shared a visiting teaching companionship with Rae Smith for 51 years, and they never missed a month of visits. 
     At the time of her passing, Edith had lived in her beloved Henrieville for 71 years. 
     She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her brothers: Verl Lester McInelly and Robert Deleno McInelly; her sisters: Eliza McInelly, Mona Rae Twitchell, and LaRona Callahan; and her grandson: Jacob Miller. 
     Edith is survived by her six sons: Ammon Leslie (Shirley) Barker, Rodney Wayne (Suzanne) Barker, Michael Lynn (Karin) Barker, Robert Terry (Carolyn) Barker, Shane Loy (Doreen) Barker, and David James (Bradley) Barker; daughter, Maryann (Joe) Clevenger; sisters, Caran Tucker and Ramona Copfer; 14 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild on the way.
     Graveside services will be held Friday, January 3, 2025 at 12:00 Noon in the Henrieville Cemetery. A viewing will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Henrieville Ward Building. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com