Kylene Barker
Kylene Barker (born 11 November 1955[1]) is an American pageant winner from Galax, Virginia who was Miss Virginia 1978 and Miss America 1979.[2][3]
D. Kylene Barker | |
|---|---|
| Born | 11 November 1955 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Virginia Tech |
| Occupation | Clothing and Textiles |
| Title | Miss Pulaski County 1978 Miss Virginia 1978 Miss America 1979 |
| Predecessor | Susan Perkins |
| Successor | Cheryl Prewitt |
| Spouse(s) | James Brandon
( m. after 1979, divorced)Ralph Hibbard
( m. 1992; died 2002)Ian McNeill
( m. 2007) |
Early life
Barker was born in Galax, Virginia to father Kyle and mother Dolores (deceased 2006).[2] She attended Oakland Elementary School, Woodlawn Intermediate School,[4] Carroll County High School[2] and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University[2] where she earned a degree in clothing and textiles in 1978.[2]
Pageants
Barker won the Miss Pulaski County pageant, the Miss Virginia pageant in July 1978, and the Miss America 1979 pageant on 9 September 1978.[2][5] Her talent performance at the Miss America pageant was gymnastics.[6] In 1986 the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported that Barker received pageant earnings of approximately $100,000.[7]
According to People.com she was also "Most Valuable Cheerleader 1974".[8]
Career
During her year of service as Miss America, Barker signed a lease on a shop at 309 Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, Florida, and opened a dress shop called "D. Kylene" (the "D" stood for Danice).[7][8] The business (which she operated for thirteen years[3]) closed in 1992.[5]
In 1983, Gemcon Inc. published an audio book produced by Barker called Stamina with Style.[3] On 1 October 1984, Simon & Schuster published a book (Southern Beauty: A Total Fitness and Beauty Program for That Winning, All-American Look) that Barker co-wrote with Sherry Suib Cohen.[3]
Barker has acted as spokesperson for several corporations including: "Clairol, the Manmade Fiber Producer's Association, The Palm Aire Spa, the Made in the USA Council",[3] and the US Sugar Association.[7] She also produced fashion shows for "the American Yarn Spinners Association, the America Textile Manufacturers Association and companies associated with the Crafted with Pride Council".[3]
Barker's television appearances included reports for NBC's Today Show, CNN's Crossfire, and Live with Regis and Kathie Lee.[3] In 1979, she appeared on the Donny and Marie television show (episode #4.3) as herself in the role of Miss America.
Kylene was appointed to the Virginia Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors.[3]
Personal life
In March 1979, Barker became engaged to James Brandon (a Roanoke businessman).[9] They met in Nassau while he was working on a book titled "Simply Beautiful", and they later married.[9] On 28 August 1986 James Brandon was arrested on charges of "conspiracy, mail and bankruptcy fraud and interstate transportation of stolen property".[7] Barker and Brandon appeared together in court over the affair, and co-signed a $75,000 personal surety bond which ensured Brandon's release from custody.[7]
In the 1990s, Barker moved to Canada with her second husband Ralph Hibbard. He died of cancer in 2002.[2]
In 2007, Barker married Canadian businessman Ian McNeill.[3] They reside in both Muskoka, Ontario[2] and Naples, Florida.[3]
References
- "Miss America says the money secondary to chances for travel". Deseret News. 10 November 1978. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- Ralph Berrier Jr. (28 June 2008). "Catching up a former Miss Virginia and Miss America". Roanoke.com. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- "1979". missamerica.org. Archived from the original on 2 May 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- Raider 1979 (Woodlawn school yearbook) p. 25.
- Christian Moody. "Memory Makers. Where are they now?". vtmagazine.vt.edu. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- "Miss America 1979". PBS. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- JAMES H. TOLPIN (29 August 1986). "Ex-beauty Queen`s Husband Surrenders To Fbi Agents". sun-sentinel.com. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- Kristin McMurran (26 March 1979). "There She Goes, Bert Parks Serenades—but Off to Dedicate Parking Lots?". People.com. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- "Barker-Brandon Announce Engagement at Local Party". Palm Beach Daily News. 13 March 1979. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
External links
- Kylene Barker on IMDb
- Southern Beauty: A Total Fitness and Beauty Program for That Winning, All-American Look at Google Books
- Stamina with style in libraries (WorldCat catalog)
- Donny & Marie Show opening – "Serpentine Fire" on YouTube (introduced by Barker).
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Susan Perkins |
Miss America 1979 |
Succeeded by Cheryl Prewitt |
| Preceded by Terri Bartlett |
Miss Virginia 1978 |
Succeeded by Paige Brown |