Evelyn Frances Waldron Barker Griffith, 84, of Rector died Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007.

The youngest of 10 children, she was born Jan. 29, 1923, to the late John Waldron and Lilly (Wells) Waldron.

She was a homemaker and very family oriented. She attended the Evangelical Methodist Church at Hargrave Corner. She was a devoted caregiver for both her husbands during their illnesses. She also cared for her siblings in their time of need. A devoted mother, she was always ready to lend a hand when her children or grandchildren needed her for wisdom or advice. She was a wonderful cook and created many recipes that will be passed down for generations, especially her chicken and dressing.

She was married for 35 years to the late Iddo Leslie Barker, the father of her children, until his death in August 1974. She married Albert Griffith in May 1976. After 26 years of marriage, he died in September 2002.

She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Cathy Lynn Barker, at age six; by all of her siblings, Lottie Thorn, Grace Harber, Andrew Waldron, Gertie Oliver, Jay Waldron, Bertha Lyles, Marie Stallings, Charles Waldron and Clinton Waldron; by a son-in-law, Julian Johnson, and great-grandson, Nicholas Courtial.

Survivors include her children and their spouses, Joan Johnson of St. Louis, Mo., Charles and Judy Barker of Ravenden and Monta and Mike Hedge of Marmaduke; a step-daughter and her spouse, Melba Jean and Bill New of Florida; a step-son and his spouse, James A. and Dollie Griffith; grandchildren and their spouses, Dianne Jones of Dittmer, Mo., Julie and Rob Courtial of Carlyle, Ill., Candy and Dennis Bishop of Paragould, Todd and Pam Barker of Piggott, Dawn and Ward Robinson of Rector and Leslie and Keith James of Marion; great-grandchildren, April Johnson, Danny and Vince Jones, Anthony and Courtney Courtial, Brandon Bishop, Colbie and Carly Robinson and Emma Grace James, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, at the Irby Funeral Home Chapel in Rector with Bro. Fred Barker and Bro. Kim Bridges officiating. Burial was in Woodland Heights Cemetery in Rector.

Pallbearers were Rob Courtial, Ray Matlock, Dennis Bishop, Ward Robinson, Keith James and Brandon Bishop. Honorary pallbearers were John Oliver, Jack Lyles, Jim Waldron, Wayne Ingram and David Cagle.