Betty Gene Shrader-Barker

Betty Gene Shrader Barker of Bluefield passed away peacefully on January 11, 2022, at Princeton Community Hospital surrounded by family and friends.

Born to Tyler Cecil and Anna Mae Bailey Shrader on August 26, 1935, in Freeman, West Virginia, Betty graduated Valedictorian from Bramwell High School in 1954. She went on to study at Bluefield Sanitarium School of Medical Technology and to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree, Magna Cum Laude, from Bluefield State College. Betty began her career at Bluefield Sanitarium as a medical technologist, eventually advancing to the Director of the Laboratory. She later became Director of Personnel of the Bluefield Regional Medical Center where she remained until her retirement in 2001. Ms. Barker was very dedicated to her profession and was certified as a Clinical Scientist through the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA) and amember of both the West Virginia and the National Human Resource Societies. Betty was also a previous member of the Bluefield Junior Woman's Club. She attended the Bramwell United Methodist Church where her extended family has belonged for many years.

Betty is preceded in death by her mother and father; her husband, Howard Barker; sister, lone D. Stovall; and grandniece, Angela Worley. She was also preceded in death by her very special friend, Tammy Halsey. Left to cherish her memories are nieces, Martha Formy-Duvall, Julie Ann Mailet; nephew, Stephen Lubowenski; and four grandnephews. In addition, she is survived by multiple cousins, including two that were especially close to her — Bruce Shrader (Barbara) of Arlington, Virginia and Jim Shrader (Mary) of Princeton West Virginia — as well as her special friend Dan Halsey of Bluefield, Virginia.

Funeral services will be conducted 1:00 Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home with Rev. Jay VanReenen officiating. Friends are invited for visitation at 12:00.  Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers

Memorial contributions may be made to Elizabeth Bowen Jones Memorial United Methodist Church PO Box 306, Bramwell, West Virginia 24715.

Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell is serving the Shrader family.