Mary Christine Barker of Bridge Street, Morehead, Kentucky, passed away Sunday, October 17, 2010, at St. Claire Regional Medical Center in Morehead. Born July 18, 1931, in Morehead, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Glen Moore and Hattie Gregory Sparkman. Her stepfather, Troy Earnest Sparkman, also preceded her in death. Christine is survived by her husband, Clifford Barker; one daughter, Charlette Schwalbert and husband Dale of Morehead, Kentucky; one son, Troy Ernest Barker and wife Vickie of Omaha, Nebraska; and four grandchildren, Adam Wesley Schwalbert, Laura Alexia Barker, Ashley Michelle Barker, and Alicia Ann Barker. Other survivors include one sister, Marie Adcock of Crossett, Arkansas, and two brothers, Mart Dye and Woody Dye, both of Niles, Michigan. Christine traveled around the world and lived in many places, but her great love for Kentucky, with all its beauty and memories of her childhood, enticed her to return to Morehead in 1970 to a home that is just seven miles from her birthplace. Chris Barker, as she is known in the world of art, began her art career by attending John Muir School of Art in Pasadena, California; UCLA in Los Angeles, California; and Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky. Her work was also influenced by art studies and seminars in Paris, France; Cairo, Egypt; and Rome, Italy; a two-month workshop with Dalhart Windberg in Austin, Texas, and advanced studies with Frank Covino, Renaissance artist from Rome, Italy, Robert Warren, Columbus, Ohio, and others. Chris was a John Robert Powers and Dale Carnegie course graduate. Christine, owner of Pine Grove Framing and Gallery of Fine Art and a Professional Artist, specialized in Portraits. Her capability of immortalizing in oils and acrylic the memories of home, pleasures of childhood, and the nostalgia of days gone by is characterized in each painting. Her portraits capture the very essence of the person she is painting. Her works include 11 large portraits commissioned by Lucille Caudill Little of Lexington, Kentucky. Christine also has paintings displayed in the House of Representatives in Washington, DC, London Art Gallery in England, and many paintings in private and corporate collections across America. Christine served as Judge in numerous Kentucky competitive art exhibits, taught workshops, seminars, and painting demonstrations for many art shows in the region. She also worked with beautification programs for the community and designed and built fountains and flower gardens for the community of Morehead. She conceived the idea, organized and implemented the completion of the -Green Space- or -Fountain Square- located across from Wendy-s. Much of her time and talent was donated to help promote Morehead as a regional art center and a more beautiful place to live. She was founder of the Morehead Art Guild which promotes visual arts in Eastern Kentucky through an annual arts exhibition and various art education programs. During her art career, Christine was the recipient of many awards and honors. Christine participated in various other organizations. She was an active member of the Morehead Woman-s Club, Red Hatters, Business and Professional Women-s Club, and Painted Hills Garden Club; served on the Board of Directors of the Rowan County Arts Center and the Board of Directors of the Haldeman Community Center. She was also Program Coordinator for the Rowan County Senior Citizens (Golden Agers). A gathering of family and friends will take place from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 23, 2010, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals. A Celebration of Life will begin at 7 p.m. with the Rev. Marc Caldwell officiating. Private interment will take place in Brown Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pine Grove Gallery c/o Morehead Art Guild for the Chris Barker Memorial Fund, 318 Bridge Street, Morehead, KY 40351. Visitation: Saturday, October 23, 2010, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Funeral: Saturday, October 23, 2010, at 7 p.m. Interment: Brown Cemetery