Barbara Mae Snider

Barbara Mae Allen Simmons Snider died on Thursday, March 17, 2011, in Fresno, California, at the age of 83. Barbara Mae was born to George and Avis Allen of Tulare. She graduated from Tulare Union High School. She married, moving to Fresno in 1947 after attending Visalia Junior College and Merritt Hospital Nursing School in Oakland. As she raised her family, she was active in the McKinley PTA and served as a Girl Scout leader. She co-designed the family home and helped in the construction mixing mortar, taping sheetrock, and cutting lumber. A member of St. Paul's Methodist Church, Barbara taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School in the 1950's.

In the 1960's Barbara returned to school at Fresno City College earning her AA degree and license as a registered nurse. She served as a camp nurse for sixth graders in San Luis Obispo and worked at a convalescent home in Madera and at Hope Manor in Fresno. After receiving her BS degree in public health nursing and school nursing at Fresno State College, Barbara taught health aide students at the Reed Cleg Center and at Duncan Polytechnical. She served with Fresno County's early childhood education and migrant health programs throughout the Valley. As a school nurse, she worked at West Park Elementary, Pacific Union, Eric White, Parlier, Dunlap and Miramonte. She retired from Laton Elementary in 1990. Through continuing education Barbara maintained her nurse's license through 2010 and attended many national and international school nursing conferences.

In retirement Barbara volunteered at the Fresno Metropolitan Museum and devoted more time to hobbies: painting, crafts, stained glass, gardening, raising sheep and ducks, and making pickles and salsa for which she received ribbons at the Fresno District Fair. She enjoyed traveling and attending concerts, plays, and lectures. Barbara was a lifetime member of Eastern Star, PEO, and California Retired Teachers Association, and belonged to several art groups. She served on the American Cancer Society board in Fresno and volunteered for the Reach to Recovery program.

The family wishes to thank the staff at San Joaquin Gardens for their devoted care.

Her parents, her brother, George Marvin Allen; and husbands, James Martin Simmons and Elmer Eugene Snider preceded her in death.

Barbara is survived by daughter, Karen Simpson and her husband Dean of Visalia; son, Wayne Simmons and his wife Lisa of Ventura; daughter, Diane Davis and her husband Mike of Fresno; son, Paul Simmons and his wife Evelyn of Glen Ellyn, Illinois; grandchildren, Jennifer Arend, Grant and Andrea Simmons, Ryan Davis, Daniel, Krista, Mark, and Kayla Simmons; and great-grandchildren, Carissa, Caleb, and Calvin Arend.

Barbara's family and friends will celebrate her life in the Fellowship Hall at San Joaquin Gardens, 5555 N. Fresno Street on Friday, April 15, 2011, at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fresno Rescue Mission, 310 G Street, Fresno, Ca. 93721; TCSD Instruments for Kids, c/o Sue Ann Hillman, Tulare City Schools, 600 N. Cherry Street, Tulare, Ca. 93274; Friends of the Fresno County Library, P.O. Box 4523, Fresno, Ca. 93744-4523; or the donor's favorite charity.

Arrangements under the direction of Stephens & Bean Funeral Chapel, Fresno, CA.