Gaylene Bishop Bickley Barker, 77, of Branson, Missouri, passed away on February 13, 2022 at

Cox South Hospital in Springfield, MO from complications from COVID.

Gaylene was born in Ralls, Texas on May 18, 1944, and in 1962 she graduated from South East

High School in Wichita, Kansas. Gaylene attended Friends University, Oral Roberts University,

and Wichita State University, before graduating from Texas A&I University with a degree in

Education.

Before completing her degree, Gaylene began teaching on an emergency certificate in Odem,

TX, in 1968 and this was the beginning of a passion for teaching and an outstanding career as

an educator. Her career began as a music teacher and gradually changed to other specialities –

reading, math and special education. A notable moment in her career was receiving the

Teacher of the Year award at Drew Middle School in Houston, TX.

On June 24, 1967, Gaylene married Tad Bickley, and they spent 21 years together. Gaylene & Tad had 2 daughters, Cheryl Bickley Perrault and Lexie Bickley Wells, and 2 grandchildren, Isabel Grace Perrault and Tyke Warner Wells. In 1991, Gaylene married Jerry Winston Barker, and was proud to add Jerry's three children, Krystal Urick, Stephen Barker, and Julie Brand to the family.

Gaylene and Jerry were married for 30 years.

Gaylene – also affectionately known as Mims, Nana, and Gator – wasn't just a great school

teacher. She was a wonderful daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, pianist at any church she

attended, bible study leader, mentor, and friend to many. But Gaylene was most passionate

about her faith in Jesus, which defined her life more than anything else. If you needed prayer,

she was the one you called. You needed encouragement, she held you up. You needed a

scripture to hold onto, she had one for you. She will be greatly missed.

Gaylene is survived by her husband Jerry Barker, daughter Cheryl Bickley Perrault and her

husband Thomas Perrault, daughter Lexie Bickley Wells, grandchildren Isabel Grace Perrault

and Tyke Warner Wells, stepchildren Kristal Urick, Stephen Barker, and Julie Brand, siblings

LaNeva Peacock, Glenda Foster, Pete Bishop, Randy Bishop and Terri Hancock, as well as

numerous nieces and nephews.

Gaylene is preceded in death by her father Elvis Bishop, mother Dorcas Bishop, and brothers

Eddy Bishop and Boyce Bishop.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Show Me Christian Youth Home (24302

Mahin Rd, La Monte, MO 65337). The family wishes to thank the hospital staff at Cox South

Hospital, Pastor Ron and Jenny Rasmussen, Pastor Jerry and Roberta Jenkins, and the many

friends and family for their thoughts and prayers.

The funeral service will be held at New Testament Christian Church, 21016 Main Street, Reeds

Spring, MO 65737 on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at 10 AM.