Barbara Ellen Farris, July 23, 1934 - June 15, 2007

In Memory of our beloved Barbara –

 

Mrs. Barbara Ellen Farris, age 72, of Clovis passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Friday morning, June 15, 2007 at her home.

 

Barbara was born on July 23, 1934 in Circleville, Kansas to Doyle and Grace Harper.  Her sister, Marjorie, was also born in Kansas and the family came to California in 1937 to seek employment.  Barbara's father, Doyle, secured a job in Delano , CA., at the Sierra Vista Ranch and a brother, Darrel, was born in 1939.  Barbara grew up in Delano and graduated from Delano High School in 1952.  Barbara briefly attended College of the Sequoias in Visalia, until making her way to the "big city" of Fresno to work at the Fresno Bee.  At the Bee she met and fell in love with Bee sports writer Bruce Farris and they were married in 1955.  They had three children: Greg, Nancy, and Sandra who all reside in the Fresno area.

 

Barbara spent the rest of her life as a "professional" homemaker and hostess, lending her creative talents to many events and receptions, as well as opening her home to people on a continual basis - it was her gift and ministry.  Over the years, she was a member of the First Baptist Church , Valley Bible Church , Campus Baptist Church , and most recently, Trinity Presbyterian Church, where Barbara enjoyed worshipping and fellowshipping. She especially enjoyed serving as a leader in Bible Study Fellowship and in earlier times being involved with the Fresno Chapter of the Littlest Angel Society.

 

When her own children left home, the Farris household became a second home to more than fifty foreign students, many of whom Bruce and Barbara were able to visit in their native countries.

 

More recently, Barbara was elected for two terms to the Fresno County Republican Party Executive Committee, where in 2004 she was the first recipient of the annual Reagan Award. She thoroughly enjoyed this period of her life, serving her constituents with unbridled enthusiasm.

 

Barbara's four-year battle with cancer was fought with courage, humility, dignity, and acceptance.  It was a very gratifying time for her, in which she was able to accomplish many things and spend quality time with her family and friends.  She was active until the last few days of her life.  Barbara's spirit, enthusiasm, and creative talents will be greatly missed.

 

Barbara was predeceased by her father, William Doyle Harper, and her mother, Nancy Grace Harper. Barbara is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Bruce Farris, her children, Greg Farris and his wife Wendy, Nancy Holly and her husband James, and Sandra Cliff.  She is also survived by a brother, Darrel Harper, and his wife Bonny and a sister, Marjorie Orender . Barbara thoroughly enjoyed her grandchildren: Ellen, Jacob, Jacquelyn, Darel and Jamie Holly, Alyssa, Heidi, Nathanael, and Arianna Farris, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, good friends, and the family dogs. She will be greatly missed as a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend. 

 

Barbara Farris' Memorial Service

Please join Barbara's family and friends and celebrate the life she lived her on earth before going home to be with the Lord.

 

Where & When

People's Church

G. L. Johnson Chapel

Friday, June 22, 2007

11:00AM

A reception to follow in the gym.

Remembrances may be sent to Fresno County Child Evangelism Fellowship (3855 N. West Ave. #110, Fresno, CA 93705) or to the donor's favorite charity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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