Kylene Barker

Kylene Barker (born November 1955) is an American pageant winner from Galax, Virginia who was Miss Virginia 1978 and Miss America 1979.

Early life

Barker was born in Galax, Virginia to father Kyle and mother Dolores (deceased 2006). She attended Woodlawn Intermediate School, Carroll County High School and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University where she earned a degree in clothing and textiles in 1978.

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. Her talent performance at the Miss America pageant was gymnastics. In 1986 the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported that Barker received pageant earnings of approximately $100,000.

According to People.com she was also "Most Valuable Cheerleader 1974".

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). The business (which she operated for thirteen years) closed in 1992.

In 1983, Gemcon Inc. published an audio book produced by Barker called Stamina with Style. 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.

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", and the US Sugar Association. 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".

Barker's television appearances included reports for NBC’s Today Show, CNN’s Crossfire, and Live with Regis and Kathie Lee. 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.

Personal life

In March 1979, Barker became engaged to James Brandon (a Roanoke businessman). They met in Nassau while he was working on a book titled "Simply Beautiful", and they later married. On 28 August 1986 James Brandon was arrested on charges of "conspiracy, mail and bankruptcy fraud and interstate transportation of stolen property". 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.

In the 1990s, Barker moved to Canada with her second husband Ralph Hibbard. He died of cancer in 2002.

In 2007, Barker married Canadian businessman Ian McNeill. They reside in both Muskoka, Ontario and Naples, Florida.