Giving
Franklin D. "Sig" Barker was born and spent most of his life in Ritchie County. He and his wife Hazel "Kate" Catherine Barker have four children Frank Barker, Sam Barker, Joanna Barker Smith, and Mitzi Barker McLaughlin. Sig Barker was the owner of Barker's Marathon and Convenience Store as well as Barker's Restaurant in Smithville. Sig and Kate were married 45 years at the time of her passing. The Barker family's businesses have been a valuable part of the Smithville community for many years. In 1989 Frank Barker, Sig's son, expanded the family business to add a service center and later in 2006 renovated the restaurant. Barker's Restaurant serves as a cornerstone for the Smithville community and is famous for its homemade pies.
"I wanted to create this scholarship as a tribute to my parents. They spent most of life helping and caring for the people of our community - delivering groceries and helping neighbors when they were in need. This scholarship is my way to give back to the community they cherished. By creating a permanent scholarship fund in my parents' names, it is my hope that they will continue to have an impact on the lives of the young people of our area forever," commented Frank Barker.
The Sig and Kate Barker Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually to graduating seniors from Ritchie County with preference to those who plan to pursue a degree or certification at a vocational, technical or trade school Applicants should have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and have a need for financial assistance.