Barbara Sumlin Sanderson
Barbara Sumlin Sanderson, daughter of the late Roy Sumlin and Ruby Tabor Sumlin, was born on February 23, 1938, in Ruston, and departed this life on September 16, 2021, in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 83 years.
Barbara was a former teacher with the Arcadia and Simsboro school systems. She taught math and English before becoming Vice Principal making a great impact on many students. She was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a retired teachers association.
Barbara was an avid reader who up until the time of her death was still reading an average of 12 books a week. She played the piano and organ for many years at Alabama Baptist Church and at any given time was apt to get up and sing and play here piano at home.
When Barbara was growing up, she also played the piano, organ and chimes at Simsboro Baptist Church. Barbara was an excellent cook who instilled the love of cooking in her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. To say Barbara enjoyed watching sports would be an understatement.
Barbara was still filling out her brackets for March Madness each year and never missed an opportunity to watch a game, especially an LSU football game or Lady Techsters basketball. Some of her happiest times were spent with Michael and Whitney, her grandchildren, including trips to the lake, after school tutoring and trail rides. Barbara enjoyed a full life filled with quirky antics, laughter and love.
Barbara was first married to Richard Turner in 1958, and of this union they had three daughters. On September 23, 1978, she was united in marriage to Howard Sanderson, who preceded her in death on July 23, 2001. Barbara and Howard enjoyed many years of traveling with friends and family, playing music, enjoying festivals and square dancing.
She continued her travels after Howard’s passing with friends and family. Many of these trips were taken with her sister, Judy, including a U-Haul moving trip from Alaska across the country to Louisiana. Barbara’s last trip was taken with her family in May of 2021 to Lake of the Ozarks.
She is survived by three daughters, Terri McCullin and husband Otis of Ruston, Donna Becker and husband Fred of Dexter, Missouri, and Denise Monroe and husband Craig of Shreveport; her sister, Judy O’Rear of Arlington, Texas; six grandchildren, Michael Becker and wife Rachael, Whitney Jarrell and husband Josh, Lauren Miller and husband Matt, Trey McCullin, Morgan McCullin, and Jordan McMullin; and three great-grandchildren, Ada Jarrell, Ruby Jarrell, and Landon Jarrell.
Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Sumlin; two sisters, Reba Jean Harrison, and Peggy Tucker; and by her granddaughter, Emily Becker.
Visitation will be held at Alabama Baptist Church in Arcadia, on Saturday, September 25, 2021, 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. A memorial service will follow at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made to Alabama Baptist Church at 16061 La. 151, Arcadia, LA 71001 or Truman W. Smith Children’s Care Center at 2200 W. Upshur Ave., Gladewater, TX 75647 in memory of Emily Becker and Barbara Sanderson.
Visitation will be held Sept 25, 2021 from 2-3 p.m., with the memorial service following at 3 p.m. at Alabama Baptist Church, 16061 La. 151 in Arcadia. Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
