Barbara Ann Sparling

Barbara Ann Sparling, aged 74, passed away on January 15, 2022, at Sutter Roseville Hospital in Roseville, California. She was born on April 6, 1947, in Los Angeles, California to Robert and Nickie Queenen. She grew up in Sun Valley, California, and would often reminisce about her life there with her family and the beautiful country setting they enjoyed. Barbara graduated from John H. Francis Polytechnic High School in 1965 and went on to study at a local community college. Her working life included positions in personal assistance, real estate, and church ministry. She made wickedly delicious deviled eggs and chocolate cream pies and tacos and holiday fare. She could often be found enjoying a good cry watching a Hallmark Christmas movie or a laugh with I Love Lucy. She also found great happiness in her family and in the holidays and in the many vacations and romantic cruises she enjoyed with her beloved husband, Gary. Quite often one could find Barbara during a cruise in her favorite spot at the back of the ship looking out at the wake to find refreshment or perhaps solace from some of the heartaches she endured. Despite the pain she did experience in this life, Barbara was brave and fiercely loyal. She lovingly cared for her daughter, Shelley, through the heartbreak of cancer and loss, and Barbara found great comfort in the hope of seeing Shelley again in Heaven. Barbara was always thinking of others and had the remarkably rare gift of seeing that people feel truly appreciated and heard.

Barbara also loved her Savior, Jesus, and she was a devoted believer. One of her favorite verses was Micah 6:8, which reads, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” This verse exemplifies Barbara’s life and her legacy. She was tenderhearted and merciful and had a humble spirit before God. Her ministry here included a key role in founding Auburn Grace Community Church in Auburn, California. She and Gary hosted the church in their living room during its earliest years, and they spent countless hours praying and supporting its growth. One of her great joys in life was to witness the church it has become, and she played a key role in that growth through encouraging, mentoring, and showing genuine kindness and support to hundreds of people there throughout the years. Her effort also included twelve years of heartfelt service as a personal assistant and receptionist. One of her greatest aims as a receptionist was to provide a comforting and welcoming voice for people who called needing encouragement and support. She was also very excited about her very recent work there with Grief Share, a ministry to shepherd people through the loss of a loved one.

The world did indeed grow colder on January 15. It is no longer the same place after Barbara’s passing. Yet, for everyone who has known and loved Barbara, her wonderful legacy of tenderheartedness and love for God is a beacon we will follow to honor her memory and ensure that good work continues. There is no doubt that Barbara is with her Savior now and that she is breathing easily in her true home and enjoying very sweet fellowship with her loved ones there. We miss her terribly but have peace through Him that she has merely gone before us and that we, too, will join her again in His timing to see her precious smile and hear her call out our names again.

Barbara is preceded in death by her first husband, Terry Enriquez, her father, Robert Queenen, her mother, Nickie Queenen, her brother, Bobby Queenen, her granddaughter, Emily Berry, her grandson, Kai Sparling, her son-in-law, Rob Berry, her daughter, Shelley Berry, her brother-in-law, Gail Sparling, and her granddaughter, Jessica Trabakoolas. She is survived by her beloved family, including her second husband of 51 years, Gary Sparling; siblings and their spouses, Jim and Donna Queenen, Kathy Queenen, Scott and Pilar Queenen, Ann and Rich Martin, and Bonnie Sparling; children and their spouses, Christine Sparling, Andrew and Myra Sparling, Phil and Ruth Sparling, Mark Perryman, and Matt and Yuki Sparling; grandchildren and their spouses, Philip and Janelle, Ben and Lindsey, Amanda and Joe, Michael and Gabriella, Matt, Danny, Seiji, and Taizo; and great grandchildren, Tayley, Hudson, Malakai, Everly, Maelee, Scottie, Ezekiel, Kennedy, and Kinley; along with many other nieces and nephews and other family members and friends whom she loved dearly.

We love you, Barbara! Thank you for the incredible example you left us! Thank you, God, for giving us such a sweet and excellent daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

We are inviting family and friends to join us in honoring Barbara at a Celebration of Life on February 12, 2022 at a time to be determined:

Auburn Grace Community Church

3126 Olympic Way

Auburn, CA 95603.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that any donations you may want to offer be made in memory of Barbara to the Deacon’s Fund at Auburn Grace Community Church or to the Acres of Hope ministry.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LambertFuneral.com for the Sparling family.