Charlene Florence Johnson Barker passed away quietly and peacefully in her home on June 26, 2024.
She was born on March 12, 1948, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Winslow "Pete" Johnson and Phyllis Reid Penman. She received a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Utah State University and was a member of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority. She married Kenneth Jeffrey Barker in the Salt Lake Temple on November 8, 1972. She taught at Roosevelt Elementary for two years until she had her first child when she then devoted her life to being an exemplary mother.

Charlene tirelessly served her husband and raised her children with love, devotion, joy, humor and laughter. She was the light of our family. We will always remember the countless vacations, times out to eat, and intimate times at home where we saw her quiet, yet bold example of how to live our lives. She showed us how to be honest and hardworking disciples of Christ, and to treat others as He did. We also witnessed this in her interactions with family, friends, neighbors and strangers. Faith in her Savior Jesus Christ gave her the ability to remain a beacon of light and an example to others despite her struggles. This was a testament to her incredible strength and selflessness.

She cherished her relationship with her sister and brothers. She had gratitude for the example and support they had always been to her. There is a very special love and concern that exists between the four of them that is deeply seeded and filled with an almost untouchable love that came from having to rely on each other throughout their lives. This love and loyalty was very evident to all those who knew them. She was blessed and privileged to have the parents she had and truly desired that their example, influence, and love would live on through future generations.
Her seven grandchildren were her pride and joy. They were of utmost importance to her and she loved them immensely. Each grandchild received personal comfort from her and knew that they meant the world to her. Not one grandchild ever had to question her love for them and she never had to question their love for her. She enjoyed spending time with them doing things like patiently teaching a granddaughter over FaceTime, who lives hundreds of miles away, how to bake a pie, having nerf gun wars with a grandson, and winning, and making cinnamon sugar toast at 2 a.m. and Mickey Mouse pancakes for breakfast while having the prized sleepover at her house. Whatever was important to her grandchildren was even more important to her, whether big or small.
Charlene had a rare talent for making you feel uniquely special, forever changing your life. With empathy, a warm smile, and her attentive presence, she made everyone feel safe, seen, and valued. She had a remarkable talent for finding humor in the everyday and sharing it with those around her, effortlessly lifting spirits and spreading joy. Her quick wit and playful nature made her the life of the party. Her pranks, humor and infectious laugh brought endless laughter to friends and family, creating cherished memories filled with warmth and love. Everyone has their own profound and impactful memory or story about Charlene. Words never have, and never will be able to describe her.

Friendship was just as important to her as family was. She was a true and loyal friend, ensuring that our home was open to all. Friends were always calling and stopping by. She loved entertaining in her home, always going the extra mile and adding her special touch to make it memorable. She was a joy to be around and the void that now comes from her colossal life will never be filled. There is only one Charlene. She was simply the best.
She loved her garden and spent countless hours perfecting it. She also loved art, quilting, sewing, scrapbooking, camping and riding horses in West Weber with aunts and cousins. A cousin fittingly described her as "a real cowgirl at heart". The outdoors, mountains and nature are where she came alive.
Charlene exemplified the parable of the servant who received five talents and doubled them. She took the talents given to her by Jesus Christ and multiplied them through active faith, receiving many more in return. She spent her life mirroring her Savior by feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming strangers, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick. She made sure others were comforted in their pain, even if she was in excruciating pain herself. She was the epitome of putting others before herself.

Charlene served in numerous callings as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Though more than qualified, she always remained humble and felt the least qualified for each calling. From June 2019 to June 2020, Charlene served a mission with her husband, Jeff, in the Utah Salt Lake City Mission as member and leader support missionaries. However, her service extended far beyond their primary assignment, profoundly impacting the young missionaries and providing them with strength and support. She was a literal angel to many of them. She treated each Elder and Sister as one of her children. Missionaries described her home as a "safe haven" and a "piece of heaven".
Charlene is survived by her husband, Jeff; her children Brooke Porter (Garrett), Doug Barker, Erinn Christiansen, and Craig Barker (Danielle); her grandchildren Morgan, James, Ashlyn, Luke, Ryleigh, Scottlyn, and Cash; her sister Sue Ann Alder (Steve), her brother Doug Johnson (Camille), and her sister-in-law Kristine Johnson Hatch. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Gregg Johnson.
A viewing will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Hillside Ward, 7075 South 2245 East. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 10, at 12:00 p.m. at the same location, with a viewing from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. prior to the services. Interment will follow at Elysian Burial Gardens, 1075 East 4580 South.
Please share memories and condolences at www.sereniityfhs.com.
A Zoom link will be located at the top of the obituary prior to the funeral service.