Virginia Diann (Briggs) Barker was born December 29, 1945, in Anthony, Kansas to Kenneth Eugene Briggs, Sr and Virginia Briggs (Fox). Diann joined the Lord and the love of her life, Arlis with open arms at 1:12 am on Monday, July 31, 2023.
Diann attended school in Anthony and Argonia and was very active in music. After graduation Diann worked at Hazel Harpers clothing and the Wellington Hospital in surgery. On April 11, 1964, she married Arlis Barker and eventually moved to South Haven, KS.
After being married and having Dana she worked at Plessey Aero Space for 2 years. After the birth of Deborah, she went to work at Wheatland Lodge, where she worked and retired from after 21 years.
Diann thoroughly enjoyed their 2 daughters Dana Diann and Deborah Elaine. She always attended all their activities and sporting events. Diann coached Dana and Deborah's softball teams for 6 years. Diann and Arlis were very fortunate to enjoy and be very active in the life's of their grandchildren. From sporting events to choir concerts, they never missed an event. Diann babysat and took all their grandchildren to Sunday School and Church with her.   Diann's full enjoyment in life was helping take care of other people, working with children in choir, teaching Bible School, and doing her solo work and being in the church choir. Diann loved serving the Lord and others.
Survivors include her daughters, Dana Diann Merrifield and husband Leo of South Haven, KS and  Deborah Elaine Yunker and husband Richard of Wellington, KS; brother Kenneth Eugene Briggs, Jr. and wife Carla of Des Moines, IA; brother Edgar Briggs and wife Revae of Albuquerque, NM; sister Susan Elaine Brown and husband Kevin of Goddard, KS. Five Grandchildren: Adam Deland Herrington and Sarah of Haysville, KS; Ashley Nicole Clark of Haysville, KS; Virginia Lynn Buettgenbach and Cody of Wichita, KS; Nathen Yunker and Derbey of Wichita, KS; and Alex Michael Herrington of Wellington, KS.
10 great grandchildren: Makenna Swindler, Claire, Eli, Zoey, Ayden, and Jace Buettgenbach, Braxton and Colson Yunker, Lance and Lainie Herrington. And one unborn great- great grandchild.
Diann is preceded in death by her husband Arlis Dale Barker, parents Kenneth E. and Virginia Briggs, sister Eleanor Dietrich, father -in-law Horace Dale Barker and mother- in- law Nina Elizabeth Barker and her grandson Lance Michael Herrington.
A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday, August 4, 2023, from 3:00 to 7:00 pm, with family present from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.
Memorial services for Diann will take place at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, August 5, 2023 at South Haven Community Church, 314 N. Main, South Haven, Kansas. A graveside service will immediately follow at Rose Hill Cemetery, South Haven, KS.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be given to Botkin Care and Rehab, 102 W. Botkin St., Wellington, Kansas 67152.
Share a memory or leave condolences at www.frankfuneralhome.net.
Frank Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.