This October 13, 2015, the Lord said to Winona, Lie down - let yourself go, sleep. On November 30, 1938, in Davie County, Mocksville, North Carolina, a baby girl was born to Philip and Addie Holman Barker and they named her Winona Earlene Barker. She grew up and attended the public schools of Davie and Stanley counties. After high school she completed higher education studies at Livingstone College, Salisbury, North Carolina, Monroe Business School, Bronx, New York, and Adelphia University, Oakdale, New York. Winona had a rewarding career. She became a member of the Womens Army Corps. Her first assignment was at Ft. Ord on the Pacific Coast of Northern California. Her job entailed enlisting recruits from Hawaii and Alaska into the military after these two territories became states in 1959. Her next assignment was at Ft. Hamilton, in New York City, where she was a Transportation Department Specialist responsible for ensuring that the belongings of military personal arrived at their proper destination. She married John L. Rush while stationed at Ft. Hamilton. Because livings conditions were inadequate for families at Ft. Hamilton, she left the service and this was the end of her military life. Next, she passed the federal Civil Service Exam and was employed by the government in the Department of Defense, Procurement Division, purchasing non-perishable goods for all military installations overseas. Years later her family moved deep into the suburbs of New York City. She did not enjoy commuting, so she gave up her federal job in the city. Too early for retirement, she took the New York State exam earning one of the three highest scores on that round of testing. She became employed with the Bay Shore New York School District as secretary to the Assistant Superintendent of Public Relations. Winona and her late husband John owned two parking garages located in New York City. After Johns death in 1993 she and her daughter Sonya moved back home to be close to friends and family. She became re-affiliated with St. John AME Zion Church where she was director of music. She was a faithful member and attended church regularly until her health declined. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Phillip Franco Barker and Freeman N. Barker; several aunts and uncles. Winona will always be in the memories of her daughter, Sonya Rush, of the home; son, Reginald Barker, of High Springs, Florida; brother, Charlie N. (Victoria) Barker, of Mocksville, NC; sister-in-law, Annell Barker, also of Mocksville, NC; her sisterly dear friend, Earle L. Smith of Salisbury, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews, additional relatives and friends. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Winona Earlene Barker Rush please visit our Sympathy Store. Cemetery Details St. John A.M.E. Zion Church Cemetery Milling Rd. Mocksville, NC, 27028 Visitation OCT 18. 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM (EDT) St. John AME Zion Church 145 Campbell Rd.Mocksville, NC Service OCT 18. 2:30 PM (EDT) St. John AME Zion Church 145 Campbell Rd.Mocksville, NC