Barbara Sizemore

Barbara Sizemore

Barbara was born Dec. 8, 1953, to Rita Carroll and Francis Cunningham in Brooklyn, New York. She entered into eternal life on May 19, 2025 surrounded by love and holding a picture of her beloved granddaughter, Turner, a mere 48 days after the love of her life, Michael Sizemore, entered the Pearly Gates. They always said they could never live without each other and it was true.

Barbara grew up in Brooklyn and while the girl was taken out of the city, she never let you forget she wasn't a true Southerner. She would be quick to tell you that she was and always would be a Yankee, a Brooklyn girl, a New Yorker through and through. She graduated from Erasmus High School and earned an associate degree from Clinton College in Plattsburgh, New York. While in Plattsburgh she met Mike, became engaged after one month, and they were married for 50 years, raising their only daughter in Memphis, Tennessee.

Barbara and Mike eventually retired to St. Simons Island, which they called their happy place. They spent their days enjoying the beach, frequenting their favorite restaurants and spending time with their new friends.

Prior to retirement, Barbara spent 35 years working in human resources for Standard Welders that evolved into NexAir. She was more than just human resources though, she became a friend to and a sounding board for countless co-workers-turned-friends who still called her for advice or simply to check in on her.

She will be met at the Pearly Gates with open arms by her parents, Rita and Frank Cunningham; and parents-in-law Jim Sizemore, Anna C. Turner and CT Turner.

She will be cherished forever by daughter, Danielle Richmond (Miller); granddaughter, Turner Richmond; sister, Mary (Mark); brother, Frank (Sharon); sister, Anne Marie (Alan); brother-in-law, Steve Sizemore (Janice); parent-in-law, Barbara B. Sizemore; two nephews, eight nieces, 15 great-nieces and great-nephews and innumerable friends who were family.

While our hearts are shattered by the passing of our Barbara, Barbara P, Barb, Mommy, Babs, Aunt Barbie, Bones, Size - all names she was affectionately called by those who knew and loved her - we know we will never forget all of the love and care she provided. She was the hostess with the mostest, happily hosting pool parties and get-togethers, and loved playing Bunco, cards and trivia.

You could always count on her to give you solid advice. Never one to mince words, she always told you exactly what you needed to hear even if you didn't want to, and always with love. For so many people throughout her life she was a shoulder to lean on. She loved to cook but hated leftovers. However, she always made more food than needed to take to other people. And there was nobody better at keeping a kitchen clean while she cooked, a true talent and still a mystery to Danielle. She had the most giving heart, but in the quietest ways. It has been said, "she would give you the shirt off HER back and then offer to pay YOU for it." Although, she was never quiet when cheering on the Memphis State Tigers, Yankees or those she loved

Barbara was a strong and formidable person. She was unapologetically herself, always. She loved to shop, be it clothes or her favorite store - the grocery store. There was never a hair out of place or a nail unpolished. She didn't just shop, just get her hair and nails done, she became friends with everyone who worked there; she had an uncanny ability to do that. She had a tough exterior, but was a total softie on the inside - the epitome of a strong, independent woman.

Barbara loved all of Danielle's friends and Michael's students as if they were her own, she became a "second-mom" to many. She was selfless and always did what she could to take care of those she loved and cared about in whatever way she could.

When she retired from NexAir she became her mother-in-law's caregiver, but Anna C. Turner, known as Patty, was more than just a mother-in-law to Barbara. She had taken care of that young bride in a new city and acted as a second mom to Barbara all of those years before, and it was Barbara's turn to care for her. She spent the last several years as caregiver to her beloved husband as he battled Parkinson's disease. Barbara never slowed down, making sure she and Mike got to fulfill their dreams of traveling during retirement, jet-setting to numerous countries in the last few years. Of all the destinations though, her favorite place of all was with her granddaughter Turner, spoiling her rotten in the best ways in the short time they had together.

Barbara's ability to remember everyone's names, faces, and dates will leave the rest of us trying to fill in the details for the rest of time. Even as she was in the hospital bravely battling pulmonary fibrosis, she was correcting the stories we told with head shakes and hand waves. She has left behind a legacy of honesty, integrity, love, care and an amazing meatloaf recipe.

We would especially like to extend our gratitude and love to the staff at Poydras Home for the extraordinary care and love they provided my mom in her short time there and our family.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the memorial service at noon on Monday, May 26, 2025, in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Amos Camden Riley Bock-Camp Marymount Memorial Fund. Camden was a graduate of West Point, and a Marymount alum who died serving our country. Donations can be made by calling Camp Marymount at 615-799-0410 or by visiting https://cfozarks.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=2894

To view and sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, in New Orleans, is in charge of the arrangements.

Family-placed obituary

The Brunswick News, May 23, 2025