Kylene Barker
Kylene Barker | |
---|---|
Born | November 1955 (age 69) Galax, Virginia |
Residence | Muskoka, Ontario Naples, Florida |
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 Ralph Hibbard Ian McNeill |
Kylene Barker (born November 1955[1]) is an American pageant winner from Galax, Virginia who was Miss Virginia 1978 and Miss America 1979.[2][3]
Early life
Barker was born in Galax, Virginia to father Kyle and mother Dolores (deceased 2006). [2]She attended 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][4] Her talent performance at the Miss America pageant was gymnastics.[5] In 1986 the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported that Barker received pageant earnings of approximately $100,000.[6]
According to People.com she was also "Most Valuable Cheerleader 1974".[7]
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).[6][7] The business (which she operated for thirteen years[3]) closed in 1992.[4]
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.[6] 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).[8] They met in Nassau while he was working on a book titled "Simply Beautiful", and they later married.[8] On 28 August 1986 James Brandon was arrested on charges of "conspiracy, mail and bankruptcy fraud and interstate transportation of stolen property".[6] 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.[6]
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
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External links
- Kylene Barker at the Internet Movie Database
- 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 | ||
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Preceded by | Miss America 1979 |
Succeeded by Cheryl Prewitt |
Preceded by | Miss Virginia 1978 |
Succeeded by Paige Brown |
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