In the early hours of Friday morning, October 16, 2026, surrounded by her family, Kerri Sue Longmire Barker, 63, of West Columbia, Texas, fell into Jesus’ arms and found peace after a long, painful battle with cancer.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Keith Ellis Barker; her daughters, Kandace Lynn Thames and husband Matthew of Denham Springs, Louisiana; Katherine Elizabeth French and husband Michael II of West Columbia; and Karoline Elise Faith and husband Jayson of West Columbia. Kerri was affectionately known as “Mimi” to her seven grandchildren; Landen Bowman, Owen Bowman, Kennedy Bowman, Jacob Thames, Micah Thames, Joseph Thames, and Michael “Tripp” French III. She was further survived by her mother, Glenda “Dodie” Longmire of West Columbia; her brother, Kevin Longmire and wife Debbie, of Luling; and sister, Kristi Hayes and husband Chad, of La Vernia; and her uncle, Ed Luce, of West Columbia. To her many nieces and nephews, she was deeply loved as “Aunt Kerri.” She was preceded in death by her father, Paul Longmire, her infant brother, David Paul Longmire, and grandparents: W.T. and Irma (Maxwell) Longmire, and Sail and Gladys (Stephen) Luce; and in laws Margorie Hodge and Henry Barker.

She was born on September 7, 1963, in Corpus Christi, Texas, the third of four children to Paul James Longmire and Glenda Elaine (Luce) Longmire. Kerri and her family moved to West Columbia, Texas in 1969. There she was raised, graduating from Columbia High School in 1982. She then went on to make West Columbia her forever home, building a beautiful life deeply rooted in faith and family. Throughout her life, her faith and service to others remained a priority. Kerri spent many years working as a jeweler and later served as a children’s ministry director at First Baptist Church of West Columbia, where she was a lifelong member. Above all, she cherished her role as a wife, homemaker, mother, and grandmother.

On New Year’s Eve, 1989, Kerri first met Keith while at a coworker’s house party where they became Pictionary partners. They were married just five months later on May 27, 1990, in a small church ceremony in Seguin, Texas. They then honeymooned at the Fairmont Hotel in San Antonio, Texas, which was the first of a lifetime of travels. They spent 36 years traveling the world together. During this time, they called Wilmslow, England, home for three years and Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia, home for four.

Kerri was the epitome of a southern, Christian woman, with her big hair, manicured nails (always), and the love of Jesus being at the center of her heart. She was a prominent influence on the younger women in her life, who remember late nights that turned into early morning chats full of motherly wisdom, beauty secrets, and laughter. Among the things that made Kerri “Kerri”, was a love of any kind of puzzle —whether it be a jigsaw, a crossword, Sudoku, or spending her Thursdays playing Mah-jong and Hand, Knee, Foot with a group of her closest friends.

We will always love her oodles and oodles and gobs and gobs.

Visitation will be held at Baker Funeral Home in West Columbia on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 5:00 pm until 7:00.

Funeral services will be led by Pastor Ryan Lintelman at First Baptist Church in West Columbia on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 11:00am.

Graveside service to follow at Old Columbia Cemetery with lunch afterward at FBCWC Family Life Center.

If you wish to make a donation in Kerri’s name, please donate to MD Anderson for cancer research.