Barbara Ruth Sappington

BARBARA RUTH SAPPINGTON MAR 18, 1929 - FEB 13, 2010 Oakdale resident, Barbara Sappington, died on February 13th following a recent diagnosis of lymphoma and complications with chemotherapy. She celebrated her 80th birthday last March with roughly 80 friends and family members in Oakdale. Barbara was born in Turlock, CA in 1929 as the third child of her parents, Lawrence and Adelia Johnson. Barbara was an avid flute player and a member of the symphonic band and marching band at Modesto High School and Modesto Junior College playing in many local parades and festivals. Following high school, Barbara attended Modesto Junior College where she completed her associates degree in Music. During her senior year in high school, Barbara met Harry Sappington on a blind date shortly after he returned from serving with the U.S. Navy during World War II. They were married in Modesto in 1948. Following graduation from Modesto JC they relocated to San Jose, CA in 1950 where they resided for the next 50 years raising a family of four children. Harry and Barbara retired in 2000 when they decided to return to the San Joaquin Valley and settle in Oakdale. This move led to reconnecting with many former friends from their youth, and to making many new friends through the Oakdale Senior Center and their active involvement in the Community United Methodist Church of Oakdale. Barbara was a very loving, dedicated mother and grandmother, who actively engaged in supporting her kids' extra-curricular activities. She also amazed and inspired many by surviving a number of serious medical challenges over the past 12 years, while also staying physically active through walking, exercise classes, and water aerobics, and becoming one of the chorus line performers in the Oakdale Rockettes'' senior tap dancing troupe -- starting in her mid-70's. Barbara will perhaps be best remembered for her boundless warmth and love, for her gentle, kind-hearted spirit that was always willing to listen and offer support, and for her ability to make others smile and simply feel good in her presence. Barbara was preceded in death by her loving husband of nearly 59 years, Harry. She is survived by their four children: Sam of Albany, OR, Jeff of Ridgecrest, CA, Kevin, of Trumansburg, NY, and Melissa of Oakdale, CA; her brother, Loris Johnson of Spokane, WA, as well as five grandchildren and four great-children. A public memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 18th at the Community United Methodist Church of Oakdale (1480 Poplar Street), starting at 11 a.m. The memorial will be followed by a luncheon at the church's social hall. Contributions in Barbara's memory can be made to either the American Cancer Society or the Community United Methodist Church of Oakdale. www.modbee.com/obituaries