Ellenora Spratt Barker

The family wishes to celebrate the life of Ellenora Spratt Barker, of Love Valley, NC, who went to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 6th, 2017.  Ellenora was born August 30, 1921 in the Steele Creek Community of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, daughter of the late Thomas Spratt Sr. and Ellen Robinson Spratt.  She was the widow of the late Jetter Andrew “Andy” Barker Jr, who with Ellenora’s love and support, founded the town of Love Valley, North Carolina.  Together, Ellenora and Andy touched many lives. Ellenora was passionate about four things, family, faith, community, and country.  She also had many unique accomplishments throughout her life.  Prior to marriage, Ellenora attended Queens College in Charlotte.  She later served Mecklenburg County in the Register of Deeds office.  She went on to serve our country as a WAVE in Naval Communications during World War II, unscrambling messages from top Navy officers to the Secretary of the Navy.  Ellenora achieved the rank of Communications Specialist 2nd Class.  Then in 1954, supporting Andy’s dream, Ellenora and Andy moved to Iredell County with their two young children to build the Town of Love Valley.  To most, Ellenora was the First Lady of Love Valley, where she made sure the first building built was the Love Valley Presbyterian Church. Over her adult life, Ellenora served many roles and achieved several distinguished designations.  She was an Elder of the Love Valley Presbyterian Church for many years, and served twice as President of the GFWC-NC Statesville Woman’s Club.  For her military service, Ellenora was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, and is a charter member of the World War II Memorial Society.  She is also listed in the Who’s Who of American Women; The International Biographical Centre of Cambridge, England; Community Leaders & Noteworthy Americans; Men & Women of Distinction; The American Registry; and The World’s Who’s Who of Women. Ellenora is survived by her loving daughter, Tonda Barker Trivette (Ronald (deceased)); daughter-in-law, Cyndy Barker Allison (Dave); 4 grandchildren, Jeff Smith (Kim), Angela Stringer (Maynard), Drew Barker IV, and Tori Barker; two step-grandchildren, Randy Trivette (Sonya) and Phil Trivette; 10 great grandchildren; and many loving nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Ellenora is predeceased by her son, Jetter Andrew “Jet” Barker III; and 3 siblings, Mary Louise Spratt Viehe (Carl) of Buffalo, NY; Joy Spratt McCall (Cecil) of Ellerbe, NC; and Thomas Bruce Spratt Jr. (Carolyn) of Peachtree City, GA. A Celebration of Life Service for Ellenora will be held 3:00 pm Saturday, January 13, 2018 at the Silver Spur in Love Valley. A private family service with military honors will be held prior to the Celebration of Life Service. It was Ellenora’s wish that she receive no flowers, but instead donations be made to the Love Valley Presbyterian Church, 239 Mitchell Trail, Love Valley, NC 28625 or to Hospice of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625. We wish to thank the wonderful people at Hospice of Iredell County for their care of Ellenora. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.