Zeb Ernest "Buddy" Barker

Zeb Ernest "Buddy" Barker, Jr., 78, of Statesville, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 3, 2026, at the Gordon Hospice House.

Buddy was born on August 5, 1947, to the late Zeb Ernest Barker and Margaret Louise Compton Barker.

He graduated from Statesville Senior High School in the class of 1965 and continued his education at Mitchell College, Mars Hill University and earned a master's degree in music at Denver University. He also graduated from Conservative Baptist Theological Seminary in Denver, Colorado.

He served honorably in the United States Army from 1968 to 1970 including Vietnam.

He was married to Carolyn Brown Barker who survives.

He was a faithful member of Hebron Baptist Church where he served in many capacities including Royal Ambassadors (youth ministry), pianist, organist, Sunday school teacher, and vocalist for weddings and funerals. He faithfully answered the call to serve on several foreign and local mission trips including to Sri Lanka twice, several times to Peru, Venezuela, Honduras, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Buddy retired from the U.S. Postal Service where he was a rural carrier for 30 years.

He also worked in the radio and TV shop with his dad and Jack Barker.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 31 years, Carolyn Brown Barker; stepdaughter, Carla Winebarger (Jeff); brother, Kenny Barker (Shelly); sisters, Nancy B. Ashburn and Robin B. Gilleland (Joey); nieces and nephews, Cam Snouse (Mike), Melissa Collins (Mark), Amanda Gilleland and Alex Gilleland (Rachel); great nieces and nephews, Knox Collins, Piper Collins, Ezra Collins, Satchel Collins, Oaks Collins, Alvie Collins, Asa Ponder, Clementine Ponder and Margo Gilleland.

In addition to his parents, Buddy was preceded in death by one sister, Linda B. Elderidge.

A service to celebrate the life of Buddy Barker will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 2:00 pm at Hebron Baptist Church with Rev. Darren Johnson and Ken Thomas officiating. The family will visit with friends prior to the service from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm. Burial with military honors will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Gordon Hospice House, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625 or to the Forward by Faith fund at Hebron Baptist Church, P.O. Box 140, Turnersburg, NC 28688.

Arrangements for Mr. Barker are in the care of Troutman Funeral Home.