Promise Barker, 26

Promise Barker, born Nov. 28, 1978, into her father's arms, died suddenly in her mother's arms Saturday, March 26, 2005, at the age of 26. Promise had been battling cancer for four years. Throughout all of her treatments over the years, Promise remained positive and steadfast in her faith in Jesus. She was always there to help anyone who was in need; Promise was an inspiration to many. Despite her illness and many setbacks, Promise continued to make plans for the future. Right up until she went to glory, Promise lived every day to the fullest. The evening of March 25, Promise and her mother, Pam, went shopping, out to eat and visited friends. Promise had planned to go to a convention with her father, Dean, the next week. While she had many offers, Promise never married because she was waiting for the perfect mate. In her short life, her accomplishments were many times that of others twice her age. Promise graduated from Belvedere High School in 1997. She graduated from the Tech Prep Program, where she ran a lathe in a tool room at Specialty Screw Co. (with acrylic nails). While in high school, Promise did some modeling at Barbazon School of Modeling. Promise was top in her shop class even over the boys. She also took art classes, business and ceramics and painted murals in school. Promise had many interests and a varied working life, which began at the age of 15. Promise was a waitress for many years. She had quite the entrepreneurial spirit, doing graphic design, Web design, nutritional counseling, produced instructional papers, interior decorating, floral arrangements, helped organize small businesses and was an election judge. Promise started Promise Candle Company in 1999, with a unique quality of custom-painted candles. Most recently, Promise was an independent associate with Pre-Paid Legal Services Inc., where she was at a managerial level, and also an Avon lady. Her hobbies included gardening, beading, ballroom dancing, chinchillas; she had even raced a couple of times at Rockford Speedway and had recently flown a plane. Survived by grandfather, Tracy Barker; grandmother, Olive Holmblad; father, Dean Barker; mother, Pam Bakken; brothers, Salem, Samuel, Solomon; stepsister, Katie Ptak; aunts, uncles, cousins and several close friends who saw her on a daily basis. Our deep appreciation to the doctors and staff at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center and Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion for all the care they provided.