Marie Louise Christian Barker of Princeton went to be with her Heavenly Father and her loved ones who've gone before her.

Born March 30, 1953, in Bluefield, WV, to her parents, John Christian Jr. and Phyllis Richardson Christian. She was a graduate of Bluefield High School, class of 1971. She went on to graduate from Bluefield State College in 1973 with a nursing degree. She worked at Bluefield Regional Medical Center for over 30 years, spending the majority of that time in ICU and later radiology. Nursing was Marie's calling. It was what God placed her here to do. It wasn't just her career; it was an integral part of who she was. To know her was to love her. She never met a stranger and loved people. You would often find her with that beautiful smile and starting conversations with others at random. She was very bright, had a wicked sense of humor, sharp tongue, and was wildly silly. Marie was incredibly tender-hearted, kind, and giving. She was also tough as nails, with a spine of steel. Through many obstacles she faced, she kept her strength and her faith. Her Lord and her family were the most important parts of her life.

In addition to her parents, she is joining in eternity her son, Justin Barker, who passed in 2014; older brother, John "Chuck" Christian; and infant brother, Richard "Dickie" Christian, along with many pets she had throughout her life.

Those left to cherish her memory and continue her legacy include her husband of 48 years and love of her life, Carl W. Barker, of the home; the center of her universe, daughter Caity Barker-MacVean, and husband Carl, of Wytheville, VA; sisters, JoAnn Ayers of Tazewell, VA, and Iris Kroll and husband David of Princeton; brother Phillip Christian and wife, Sherria, of Princeton, WV; mother-in-law Phyllis Barker of Princeton, WV.

Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 2:00 PM at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home with Pastor Scott Catron officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bluewell. Friends may call on Thursday from 1:00-2:00 PM at the funeral home.

If you would like to honor her memory, donate to any organization that helps children, animals, and military/veterans. You can also enjoy the sunshine, give a stranger a smile, or take in God's beauty.

To our wife, mom, sister, aunt, and friend... You were a bright light in this world, and we will carry it with us. You are missed terribly and loved endlessly.

John 3:16