Barbara Sapp Obituary

Former La Plata County resident Barbara Alice Parks Sapp died Friday, Nov. 8, 2013, in Durango. She was 85.

Known as "Bobby," she was born to George Wesley and Chrysella Ann (Waldner) Parks on Sept. 8, 1928, at Rockwood. The next to youngest of six children, when she was 2, the family moved first to the Parks homestead below what now is Vallecito Reservoir, then to the family ranch just east of the La Plata-Archuleta county line.

"She grew up loving the ranch life, horses and cattle and learned to stack wood with the best of them," according to her family.

Mrs. Sapp attended first to eighth grade, the highest she could go without moving to town, at rural schools in the Bayfield area, walking or riding horseback to school.

Mrs. Sapp was a lifelong learner, her family said. After she completed her schooling, she worked as a domestic helper until her marriage.

On June 8, 1951, she married Philip Lewis Sapp in Durango, after deciding she wanted to marry him when she was 8.

They moved to Cortez in 1951 and lived in the same place the rest of their lives.

"Bobby loved taking pictures, especially of flowers, scenery and the people she loved," according to her family. "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 Panthers basketball and Cortez American Legion Junior Rodeo. She was an avid supporter of platform tug-o-war, especially when her descendants were tugging."

Mrs. Sapp enjoyed crocheting, sewing and making clothing for family members. A child of the Depression, she didn't allow anything to go to waste, taking the good parts of clothes that were worn or stained and making clothing for three Indian missions.

Mrs. Sapp's faith was very important to her, her family said. She was a "prayer warrior" for any friend, family or acquaintance who was facing any difficult situation.

Mrs. Sapp was preceded in death by her husband of almost 50 years, Philip Lewis Sapp.

She is survived by her son, Lew Sapp of Mancos; daughter, Gene Sapp of Durango; sister, Mary Dye of Tularosa, N.M.; three granddaughters; one great-grandson; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family members.

The rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, 2013, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 28 E. Montezuma Ave. in Cortez. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, also at St. Margaret Mary. A potluck dinner will be held afterward at the parish annex.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of one's choice; or to the Mercy Health Foundation, 1010 Three Springs Blvd., Suite 108, Durango, CO 81301.

Online condolences may be sent at www.ertelfuneralhome.com.