1 SJR78
2 217746-6
3 By Senators Roberts, Albritton, Allen, Barfoot, Beasley,
4 Butler, Chambliss, Chesteen, Coleman-Madison, Dunn, Elliott,
5 Figures, Givhan, Gudger, Hatcher, Holley, Jones, Livingston,
6 Marsh, McClendon, Melson, Orr, Price, Reed, Sanders-Fortier,
7 Scofield, Sessions, Shelnutt, Singleton, Smitherman, Stutts,
8 Waggoner, Weaver, Whatley and Williams
9 RFD:
10 First Read: 15-MAR-22
Page 0 SJR78
1 SJR78
2
3
4 ENROLLED, SJR78,
5 CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF DR. FRANK MOREHEAD BARKER,
6 JR.
7
8 WHEREAS, it is with profound sorrow that we note the
9 death on December 27, 2021, of Dr. Frank Morehead Barker, Jr.,
10 at the age of 89; and
11 WHEREAS, his passing leaves a void in the lives of
12 his loving family, many friends, and the entire community,
13 where he was highly regarded; and
14 WHEREAS, Dr. Barker was born on January 31, 1932, to
15 Frank M. Barker, Sr. and Annie Lee Barker; and
16 WHEREAS, upon graduating from Ramsay High School in
17 1949, Dr. Barker attended Auburn University on a Naval Reserve
18 Officers' Training Corps Scholarship, where he played on the
19 tennis team; after graduating college with an engineering
20 degree, he became a Navy Jet Fighter Pilot and served during
21 the Korean War; during his time in the Navy, he also flew with
22 the Blue Angels as their official photographer; after a few
23 close calls while flying off of aircraft carriers, Dr. Barker
24 believed that God was trying to get his attention; in an
25 effort to amend his ways, he decided to attend seminary,
Page 1 SJR78
1 during which time he began pastoring a small church in Oxford,
2 Alabama, and for the first time, he began to question what it
3 truly meant to be a Christian; after an Air Force chaplain
4 explained that salvation was by grace, Dr. Barker's life was
5 completely transformed, and from that day forward, he lived to
6 share that news with others; to those who knew him, he
7 exemplified the life of a "dead man walking"; and
8 WHEREAS, in 1960, Dr. Barker returned to Birmingham,
9 Alabama, to start Briarwood Church in a storefront in Cahaba
10 Heights; in 1961, he and Barbara Brown Barker were married in
11 the storefront; over the next 39 years, Dr. Barker and his
12 wife served side by side, watching God multiply their church
13 and magnify Himself through their ministry; fueled by the
14 vision of "reaching Birmingham to reach the world for Christ,"
15 Dr. Barker oversaw the foundation of Briarwood Christian
16 School, Birmingham Theological Seminary, Campus Outreach,
17 Briarwood Ballet, Camp Briarwood, and numerous ministries for
18 business and medical professionals; in 1973, he was
19 instrumental in the formation of a new denomination, the
20 Presbyterian Church in America, a conservative break from the
21 mainline Presbyterian Church of the United States of America;
22 until his final breath, Dr. Barker faithfully served the Lord
23 and taught His Word; and
24 WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his parents;
25 and his sister, Minnie Lee Barker Livingston; and
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1 WHEREAS, Dr. Barker is survived by his children,
2 Anita Barnes (Billy), Frank Barker, III (Pam), and Peggy
3 Townes (Tim); 14 grandchildren; nine, plus two on the way,
4 great-grandchildren; and the thousands of people who know
5 Jesus because of his life; and
6 WHEREAS, although his presence will be greatly
7 missed, the memory of Dr. Barker will be cherished in the
8 hearts of all who knew and loved him; now therefore,
9 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
10 HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That the death of Dr. Frank
11 Morehead Barker, Jr. is recorded with deep sadness, and this
12 resolution is offered in tribute to his life, along with
13 heartfelt sympathy to his family, whose grief is shared by
14 many.
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4
President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
5
6 Speaker of the House of Representatives
SJR787
8 Senate 15-MAR-22
9 I hereby certify that the within Senate Joint Resolution
10 originated in and was adopted by the Senate.
11
12 Patrick Harris,
13 Secretary.
14
15
16
17 House of Representatives
18 Adopted: 31-MAR-22
19
20
21 By: Senator Roberts
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