Rev. Russell (Russ) Talmadge Barker, age 89 passed away Monday, October 11, 2021. He was born September 17, 1932, in Norcross, Georgia, and passed away in Columbus, Georgia. He grew up in the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home now located in Palmetto, Georgia, attended Mercer University and graduated from Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He served as a Hospital Corpsman in the U. S. Navy and was active duty in the Korean War.
Russ was ordained to the ministry on January 7, 1962. He pastored Dover Baptist Church while attending seminary followed by Altizer Baptist Church in Huntington. West Virginia. Russ and Earline returned to the Atlanta area in 1968 where he pastored Bouldercrest Baptist Church for 14 years. He then became the Director of Missions for the Atlanta Baptist Association and retired in 1999. After retirement, they relocated to Habersham County where Russ served as interim pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church and subsequently pastored Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Demorest until his retirement in 2016.
Russ is predeceased by Earline Boles Barker, his wife of 52 years.
Russ is survived by his wife Susan Bowles Barker. He is survived by his three daughters Sheri Wreen of Snellville, Georgia, Lisa (Art) Ridgway of Melbourne, Florida and Cathy (Ron) Swenson of Dawsonville, Georgia. He has 4 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please do an act of kindness for someone in need in Russ’ memory or memorial donations may be made to the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home, 505 Water Works Rd., Palmetto, GA 30268, or to a church or charity of your choice.
Due to Covid, a private graveside service will be held in Hillside Gardens Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed to the Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens Facebook page.
An online guestbook is available for the Barker family at HillsideMemorialChapel.com.
Arrangements by Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens, Clarkesville. 706-754-6256
