Charlotte Barker, 81, of Blythewood, passed away peacefully at home on May 25, 2022, surrounded by her family.

Charlotte Kay Barrett was born in Kingsport, TN to Stuart and Ruby Jones Barrett. She spent most of her childhood in the "Model City" with one notable exception. As a toddler, the family moved to Oak Ridge, TN, and remained in the "City Behind the Fence" for 3 years as her father worked on the Manhattan Project to produce the first atomic bomb. In the second grade, she joined the Girl Scouts, embarking on what proved to be a lifelong journey with the Scouts, resulting in travels and outreach across the U.S.

Charlotte graduated from Lynn View High School and went on to receive a degree in Biology from East Tennessee State University. She taught Biology while she was a graduate student. She also played the tenor saxophone and was in the marching band throughout high school and college.

Charlotte married Jackie Barker and they lived in Johnson City, TN, where they had 2 daughters. In 1975, they moved to Chattanooga, TN, where they added a son to the family. While in Chattanooga, Charlotte was very active in Girl Scouting, working in a variety of roles within the Moccasin Bend Girl Scout Council. Her troop was a traveling troop and even traveled to Canada, studying Civil War battlefields along the way.

The Barkers moved to Blythewood, SC in 1985, where Charlotte continued her work in scouting. She became a nationally certified trainer of trainers. This led to many summers in Alaska serving as Program Director, Day Camp Director, Outdoor Education Director, camp counselor, trainer, and consultant. She received multiple awards for her service to the 18 southeast communities by the Girl Scout Council in Juneau, Alaska.

Charlotte worked with American Indian tribes for over 30 years. She served on the Board of Directors of the American Indian Scouting Association for over 25 years, 24 of those as Public Relations Chairman. While working with a charitable organization she was Director of the American Indian Education Foundation, which helped tribes with educational-based needs by providing scholarships, care packages, school supplies, facility repairs, emergency funds, and advocacy for Indian students. She worked with students on self-esteem issues and promoted scouting to both boys and girls. She then trained Scout Councils on how to work with tribes so they can offer their services in an effective and sensitive manner. Charlotte was awarded the Francis X. Guardipee Grey Wolf Award by the American Indian Scouting Association for her service on behalf of American Indian youth.

A lifelong Methodist, Charlotte served in a number of roles. She was a member of the Wesley Foundation in college, Youth Director, and was the Columbia District Youth Coordinator for over 14 years. She led mission groups to Brazil and used her training and curriculum in churches across Alaska. She served on several church councils, the church choir, was lead delegate to the Annual Conference for the Trinity Blythewood Church Council, was a member of the SC Conference Native American Committee, and served as the Native American representative to the SC Conference.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Sandra Barr, and brother-in-law Jerry Barker. Survivors include her loving husband, Jackie Barker; her children, Cynthia Barker, Jennifer Mosley (Billy), and Michael Barker (Julie); brother-in-law, Jim Barr; sisters-in-law, Cathy Johnston (Rick), and Sue Barker; grandchildren, Zachary McMillan, Peyton Eddy, Bryson Eddy, Brooke Barker, Brody Barker, and Hayden Mosley; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held at 2 o'clock, Saturday, May the 28th, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 90 Boney Road, Blythewood, SC 29016. The Rev. Scott Smoak will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service and the burial will be later at East Lawn Memorial Park, Kingsport, TN.

The family would like to thank PruittHealth Organization for their hospice services during Charlotte's final stage of life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, PO Box 864, Blythewood, SC 29016.

Memories and condolences may be shared at ShivesFuneralHome.com.