Barbara Joan Sanders

Barbara was born on July 12, 1941, in Springfield, IL to Perry and Frances Sparks. However, she got to Texas as fast as she could, moving here at age 11. To her disappointment, not everyone in Texas rode a horse. In 1959, she graduated from Trimble Tech High School in Fort Worth, TX. On August 29, 1958, she married Joe Don Sanders. They were married 52 years until his death in 2010. She raised her children in Everman, TX, where she was active as PTA President, room mother, and band mom. She was a world traveler, touring Europe with friends. Barbara enjoyed hobbies including painting, drawing, ceramics, and macrame. She also enjoyed card games with friends, including Bridge. Throughout her life, Barbara was known for her kindness and sense of humor, and for being an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She was always cheering on her children and grandchildren in their activities, and she was also a faithful Christian in the Church of Christ, actively teaching Sunday School and singing alto in the Rosemont Chorus.

In her early career, she taught kindergarten at a private school, and later retired from Kennedale ISD after over 20 years of service. After retirement, Barbara and Joe Don moved to Ruidoso, NM to enjoy their retirement for several years. They later returned to live in Burleson, TX. After the passing of Joe Don, she spent most of her remaining years residing in Denton, TX to be nearer to her young grandchildren.

Barbara J. Sanders is survived by her daughter Karin Grisham and husband Rusty of Hot Springs, AR, and granddaughter Summer Hudson and husband Charlie of Montgomery, TX; Julie Sacharko and her husband Michael of Denton, TX and their children Jackson and Jillian, and many more family and friends.

Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband Joe Don Sanders, her parents Perry and Frances Sparks, and her sister Deanna McElyea.

The family invites relatives and friends to a celebration of Barbara’s life on Monday, November 25, 2024 at 2:00 PM to be held at Laurel Land Cemetery in the Chapel of the Chimes at 7100 Crowley Road, Fort Worth, TX. There will be a viewing preceding the service, beginning at 1:00 PM. The family deeply appreciates the outpouring of love, prayers, and support during this difficult time. Barbara’s legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew her