Lieutenant Stelphrina Denise Barker, affectionately known as "Stephanie" by family and friends, passed away Sunday at St. Francis Hospital at the age of 52. She resided at 4841 Sentry Street. A daughter of the late Jake E., Sr. and Peggy King Barker, Lt. Barker was born in Columbus, GA, and was a 1981 graduate of George W. Carver High School. She attended Columbus State University, and for 15 years worked as a Corrections Officer at the Aaron Cohn Regional Youth Detention Center, Midland, GA. She also served as a School Crossing Guard for ten years, her last tenure being at Hannah Academy. She was a member of Nazareth Baptist Church and the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation.

Survivors include: her sisters, Angela A. Stevens (Larry) and Contreana Pearson (Russell); a brother, Barry A. Barker; three nieces, Erica Barker, Tynesha Zimon (Byron) and Ashley Dyous; two nephews, Jaiden and Jordan Zimon; beloved aunts and uncles, Marjorie Jackson (Edward) and Wanna Wright (Benjamin), Jesse Barker, Willie King (Kathleen) and Frank King; two great aunts, Grace Howard and Annie Bell Howard; devoted friends and caregivers, Stephanie Grimes, Marcelle Dotson and Lamarcus Grimes; other relative and friends.