Barbara Sapp Obituary

Memorial Mass for Barbara Alice Sapp will be held Saturday, Nov. 23, at 10 a.m. at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church followed immediately by a potluck dinner at the parish annex.

Rosary services will be held Friday, Nov. 22, at 6 p.m., also at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church.

Barbara Alice ("Bobby") Parks was born Sept. 8, 1928, to George Wesley Parks and Chrysella Ann (Waldner) Parks at Rockwood, Colo., and passed from this earth Nov. 8, 2013 in Durango, Colo. She was the next-to-youngest of six children, with one brother and four sisters. When Bobby was two, the family moved to rural Bayfield, first to the Parks homestead below what is now Vallecito, then to the family ranch just east of the LaPlata/Archuleta County line. She grew up loving the ranch life, horses and cattle and learned to stack wood with the best of them. She attended rural schools in the Bayfield area, walking or riding horseback to and from school. She attended first through eighth grades, the highest she could go without moving to town, then took eighth grade again so she could accompany her youngest sister, who was too young to travel the 5 miles to school by herself. Bobby was a lifelong learner, still pushing herself and her mind up until a few days before her death. After she completed her schooling, she worked as a domestic helper until her marriage.

On June 8, 1951, Bobby married Philip Lewis Sapp, the man she decided she wanted to marry when she was 8 years old. They were a loving and dedicated team for almost 50 years, serving as an example of what true love and marriage should be. They moved to Cortez Nov. 1, 1951, and lived in the same place the rest of their lives. They raised two children, Lew and Genie, and were loving supporters of all their children's friends. They never missed a function their children and grandchildren were involved in.

Bobby loved taking pictures, especially of flowers, scenery and the people she loved. She also loved old barns, going for rides to look at God's beautiful creations, her cows, and youth and high school basketball and rodeo, especially Panther basketball and Cortez American Legion Jr. Rodeo. She was an avid supporter of platform tug-o-war, especially when her descendants were tugging. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing and making clothing for family members. A child of the depression, nothing went to waste. When our clothing became worn, stained, etc., she would take the good parts and make clothing for three Indian missions, sending at least one box to each mission every year. She also made baby blankets, quilts and afghans, which have kept countless people warm and surrounded by her love.

Bobby's faith was very important to her. She had a strong relationship with Jesus and was a "prayer warrior" for any friend, family or acquaintance who was facing any difficult situation. She faced death with an eager anticipation of what awaited her on the other side and was looking forward to her journey to see her heavenly Father, her beloved cowboy and her family.

Bobby is survived by her son, Lew (Ginger) Sapp of Mancos; daughter, Gene Sapp of Durango; granddaughters, Terra Sapp of Cortez and Tamis (Jeromy) Cooper of Mancos; special granddaughter, Dawn (Jason) Morgan of Farmington, N.M.; great-grandson, Evan Morgan of Farmington, N.M.; sister, Mary Dye of Tularosa, N.M.; brother-in-law and lifelong best friend, Roger (JoAnn) Sapp of Guymon, Okla.; and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Irvin Parks (KIA in WWII); and sisters, Rose Edwards, Alma Cooper and Frances Riggin.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to your favorite charity or to the Mercy Health Foundation, 1010 Three Springs Blvd, Suite 108, Durango, Colo. 81301 with a designation of "Employees Benefit Fund" to honor the loving care given to Bobby and her family during her final illness.

Services are under the direction of Ertel Funeral Home. For further information or to send condolences, log on to www.ertelfuneralhome.com and click on the obituary section.