SANDRA KAY BARKER
June 18, 1943 - December 26, 2023
Our beloved mother, grandmother and sister, Sandra Kay Barker, passed away on December 26, 2023 after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
Sandra “Sandy” was born on June 18, 1943, to Weldon and Kathryn Phillips in Bakersfield, California. She attended local schools; Beardsley and Highland Elementary, Standard Junior High and graduated from North High School, class of 1962. Sandy married her husband, Johnny, also a North High graduate, in September of her senior year. They were married 62 years at the time of his passing just 3 months ago.
Over the years, Sandy had various jobs, but her most memorable career was when she served as a school bus driver for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools. It was there that she made many lifelong friends and felt very blessed to be able to help disabled children and their families with their transportation needs. They touched Sandy's heart, and she touched theirs. She retired after 20 wonderful years.
Sandy was young at heart, lots of fun, always had a perfect hair-do and was much loved. She will be greatly missed by her family. To her kids and grandkids, who affectionately called her, “Nanny” because “Grandma” made her seem old; she was truly one of the best parts of their lives. Any day spent with our Mom/Nanny was a wonderful day. It didn't matter if we were on our yearly beach trip to Pismo, Avila, and Morro Bay or just hanging out at her house; it was always a good time because she was present. If everyone had someone like Sandy to love them, the world would be a much better place. What a loving, giving, selfless person she was.
On Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023, Sandy was baptized at Valley Bible Fellowship Church in Bakersfield, California. What a wonderful, joyous day that was. Her heart was full of love for Jesus. She gave her tremendous pain and suffering to the Lord and found comfort in Him. Through all her suffering, she remained the same Sandy, more concerned for others than herself. She passed away at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center; she departed this life peacefully. She will be lovingly remembered.
Sandy was preceded in death by her husband Johnny, her parents, in-laws Claude and Elece Barker, and twin sisters-in-law, Alene and Irene.
Sandy is survived by her daughter Tammy Ruiz, son John (Heidi) Barker, grandchildren Amanda (Alex) Parra, Ashley Ruiz, Andrea Ruiz, Aubrey (Eddie) Torres, Reid Barker, Reagan Barker, and Brianna Walston as well as her sister JoAnn Phillips, sisters-in-law Claudine Halbrook and Ginger (Phillip) Moses, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held for Sandy on Friday, January 26, 2024 at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, California. Visitation is at 12:30 PM, service begins at 1 PM and reception to follow.
Sandy and her family would like to thank Dr. Ravi Patel, Dr. Rishi Patel and all the staff at Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center. Their excellent care, compassion and friendship is greatly appreciated.
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