Obituaries

Funeral services for Diana Sue Vandagriff Barker, 61, of Southmayd, who passed away January 14, 2018, will be held at Dannel Funeral Home Chapel at 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 19, with Rev. Shawn Kemp of The Crossroads Community Church in Van Alstyne, Texas, officiating. Diana was born in Sherman on Aug. 27, 1956, to James and Hazel Vandagriff. A graduate of Sherman High School, she was married to Donald Barker Jr. on Jan. 29, 2000. Diana enjoyed a rich work history, beginning with her first job at Wyatt’s Cafeteria in Sherman. She worked many years in the monument business with her husband, first at Love and then at Vandagriff Monument Co. She later returned to working with food preparation for Meals on Wheels of Texoma before she became disabled. Diana was a member of the Southmayd City Council for a number of years before finishing her community service with a brief term as Mayor. With a passion for family gatherings, she is fondly remembered for the mac-and-cheese dishes and pecan pies she always prepared for those gatherings and especially for her award-winning chili. She also had a special fondness for taking excellent care of her various dogs throughout her life. Diana is survived by her husband Donnie Barker and son Michael Barker of Southmayd; stepfather Harold Wright of Sherman; four brothers: James Lynn Vandagriff and wife Joann of Sherman, Donny Joe and wife Donna Vandagriff of Sherman, Scotty and wife Kenda Wright of Denison, and Jeremy Vandagriff of Anna; sister Deneen Phillips of Anna; niece Jamie Vandagriff; nephews Jason Vandagriff and Weldon Wright; aunts Nell Files, Judy and husband Don Wortham; uncles Coye Joe Vandagriff, and Bob and wife Jeannette Bledsoe; cousins Dell Bledsoe, Janice Throckmorton, and Kirk Wortham. She was preceded in death by her mother Hazel Bledsoe Wright and father James Vandagriff. Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels of Texoma.