Mrs. Barbara Gay Stroope

Graveside services for Mrs. Barbara Gay Stroope, 84, of Longview, Texas will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 7, 2024 at Waldrop Cemetery, with Rev. Dale Walker Officiating. Memorial Graveside Service under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home.
Barbara Gay Sparks Stroope was a caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She left this world peacefully on May 2, 2024, with her son Wayne by her side.
Barbara was born to the late Aaron William Sparks and Betty Cordell Woods Sparks on December 19, 1940. After attending Longview high school, Barbara soon married her high school sweetheart, Carl M. Stroope, on August 9, 1958. Together, they had 2 children, Kim Stroope and Wayne (Sue) Stroope. Barbara lost Carl, the love of her life, suddenly in 2020 after 62 years of marriage. In addition to her two children, she is survived by 5 grandchildren, Brandy, Jamie (Matt), Adam, Karlyn (Alex) and Sarah, 6 great-grandchildren (soon to be 7), Brandon, Lexi, Mattie, Leighton, Ava and Liana, and 1 great-great-grandchild Emersyn. Sadly, she was predeceased by great-grandchild Erica.
Barbara loved tending to her plants, both inside and out, reading and collecting angel figurines. She also enjoyed crocheting and made many beautiful afghans which she shared with all her family members. Barbara loved her family dearly and enjoyed the time she got to spend with them, often telling many detailed stories of her fond memories. She also was proud of her career working as a bank teller in different banks in multiple towns, as she and Carl moved to support his career growth with J.C. Penney's.
Barbara spent the last year of her life living near her son in Michigan where she got to see beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring, the Great Lakes and a lot of snow. Barbara's ashes will be returned to her beloved home of East Texas later this year and placed at Waldrop Cemetery, where she and Carl will rest near her parents, brothers and sisters who predeceased her. There will be a luncheon served in the Tabernacle following the burial service.