BARKER, Josephine (Jo Anne)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Wednesday, August 13, 2014 Josephine Ann (otherwise known as Jo Anne) Sheldon Barker died Aug. 9, 2014, at the Lodge of Rocky Hollow, Georgetown, Texas, surrounded by family and her devoted caregivers. She was born in Ottawa, Kan., on March 17, 1921, to Clarence Milton and Jessie Virginia Sheldon. She spent her early years growing up with her three brothers, John Sargent, Herbert Franklin and Edwin Morris in the small town of Ottawa, Kan. She attended college at Ottawa University and received a B. A. in Sociology. Jo Anne traveled to Cuba to visit her brother, Franklin, who was living there at the time. Being the adventuresome type, she moved from her small town in Kansas and went to live and work in San Francisco where she met her husband, Leonard Legriel Barker. They were married in October of 1947, and settled in Walnut Creek, Calif., where they raised their children. When they retired in 1980, they moved to Prescott, Ariz. Jo Anne always had a passion for writing and spent much of her retirement researching family genealogy. The three books she wrote were written as historical novels based on facts and true characters. Jo Anne and Len also spent many years traveling the country in a motor home. They had a fascination with the explorers Lewis & Clark. So they traveled to many of the places along the Lewis & Clark Trail. They were also avid birders and spent much of their time birding. Jo Anne's beloved Len died in 2011. They were married for 64 years. Jo Anne was always a dear friend to the people she met. She always fought for the injustices in the world and supported many causes. She had a strong sense of family. She is survived by a son Leonard Sheldon Barker and wife Jeanne of Boise, Idaho; and a daughter Victoria Legriel Strauss and husband Samuel of Round Rock, Texas. She is also survived by four grandchildren Chris Barker of Denver, Colo., Ben Barker of Morristown, N.J., Jessica Thomas of Leander, Texas and David Strauss of San Antonio, Texas. Her two great granddaughters, Laria Rebecca Barker and Madelyn Josephine Thomas, were born on Aug. 6, 2014, within hours of each other. She will be sorely missed. Arrangements by Beck Funeral Home, 1700 E. Whitestone, Cedar Park, TX 78613 (512) 259-1610. On-line registry at www.beckchapels.com.