Obituary of Graden Lee Barker ~ 2010

Transcribed by Joan S Dunn

Source: New Bern Sun Journal Oct 20 2010

ORIENTAL'S OLDEST CITIZEN PASSES - Graden Lee Barker passed peacefully on 
October 15, 2010 at the age of 93 where he resided in Oriental since 1919.
Graden was born in the South River Community of Lukens on June 21, 1917, 
to Henry Barker and Lucy Helen Mason Barker. Within the year, the family 
moved across the river to Oriental where Henry raised cotton on a 25-acre 
farm owned by his wife's family. In 1924, the Barkers moved into the 1883 
Midyette House, now the second oldest house in Oriental. Henry eventually 
ran tugboats, on which Graden worked for a few years before he began 
shrimping in the 1930s. Graden worked for 85 years on the waters along the 
eastern seaboard, but mostly within the Neuse River and Pamlico Sound. His 
largest shrimp boat was the 46-foot trawler Lucy Helen.  
Graden met his wife, the love of his life, Evelyn Neal Beacham, while in 
high school in Oriental in the early 1930s. He often told that since it 
was the Great Depression, they would share one cigarette while walking 
home for lunch, with Graden smoking the first half as he lived closer, and 
Evelyn the second half as she continued on. The couple married at 18 on 
December 3, 1936 in Beaufort. They shared a long and faithful marriage of 
over 67 years. The greatest joy in their lives were the three children 
they raised in Oriental: Graden Lee Jr., Bill and Victoria.  
In high school, Graden enjoyed playing baseball, and was called "lefty" 
since he was left handed. He remained a Carolina and Chicago Cubs fan his 
entire life and avidly followed basketball games on TV. He survived three 
major hurricanes that struck Oriental, one in 1933 and two in 1955, with 
the 1933 storm almost flooding the house. Graden was a long time member of 
the Freemasons and supported their work on behalf of widows and orphans. 
Graden remained full of life and quick-witted until the end. You never had 
to wonder what his opinion was about anything–he would tell you. Graden 
shared many life long friendships and though all of us wish he could have 
stayed with us a bit longer, we are all glad that he lived to hear the 
news of his grandchildren's successes, the upcoming birth of his great 
grandson and the upcoming nuptials of his youngest granddaughter. Graden 
was admired by those who knew him well and will be deeply missed by those 
who loved him most although we know he is happiest now at peace reunited 
with his family in Heaven.  
Graden was preceded in death by Evelyn, his wife of 67 years, and their 
son, Graden Lee Jr., a nuclear physicist with the U.S. Navy.  
He is survived by his son, Senator Bill Barker of Vanceboro, and daughter, 
Victoria Taylor of Oriental. He is also survived by five grandchildren, 
Mary Margaret Barker of Newport News, VA, Jorja Jamison of Minneapolis, 
MN, Virginia Thomas of Bluecreek, WA, Jason Taylor of Paris, ME, and Maggy 
Taylor of New Bern.  
Graden donated his remains to the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina
University. A memorial service will be held at Bryant Funeral Home, Alliance, 
celebrating the lives of Graden and Evelyn on Thursday, October 21 at 6 p.m. 
with visitation of family and friends immediately following.  
Arrangements are by Bryant Funeral Home & Cremations, Alliance.





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