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Kylene Barker
American beauty pageant winner From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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]
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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]
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Career
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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]
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References
External links
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