BOMBER MEMORIAL

BARBARA SUE PARKER GRANT ~ Class of 1962 Honorary
April 18, 1944 - September 26, 2021



Barbara Sue Parker Grant left this earth on September 26, 2021. It's been a year of heartache for all she left behind. She was born on April 18, 1944, in Denver, CO to Floyd Golden Parker and Yative Thomascine Parker.

She moved with her family to Richland while just a few months old. Here, she attended Richland schools with the Class of 1962, remaining a proud Bomber all her days. It's here that she met her lifelong best friend, Lynda Webster ('62), who remained by her side until the very end.

During her school years, she met and fell in love with Owen Patrick "Oney" Grant, an altar boy from Pasco. They married July 25, 1962, in Minneapolis, MN. They later returned to Richland, where they raised their family.

One of Barbara's favorite pastimes was the many family camping trips spent in a tent trailer until Barbara and Oney built the family cabin in Republic, WA.

Her children will never forget the joy of coming home from school, seeing Barbara packing to prepare for the next family adventure after a long work week. She was known for her work ethic, providing for her family as a Senior Lab Technician at Framatome Nuclear until she retired in 2001.

Barbara had a gift for making special memories for her family, especially during the holidays. She could always be counted on to decorate for each one, and holidays will not be the same without her joyful smile, special treats and loving hugs. She was sure to be present for as many of her children's and grandchildren's school and sporting events as possible, later fervently rooting on the Seahawks with her family.

She was a member of Central United Protestant Church, where she taught Sunday School. She was a lifelong Democrat, never afraid to speak her mind about what she felt was right.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; her three brothers, Ardie ('54), Bobby ('69 honorary) and best friend, Jerry ('57 and '58 honorary); the love of her life, Oney; and her beloved grandson, Jace.

She is survived by her children: Angi (Mike), Cary (Cheryl), Jenni (Chris) and Bethany (Chris) all of Richland; her sister, Linda Parker, of Richland; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were the absolute apples of her eye; and her dearest friends, Lynda and Georgia.

Barbara's survivors are difficult to list because all who knew Barbara loved her as family. There was a "no-knock" invitation at her house, and there could always be a pot of coffee and seat at the table for you to pull up a chair and enjoy a special visit. But if you got stuck with being the one to make a fresh pot, you'll know mom only wanted you to fill her cup hall-way. And if you got stuck with the job often enough, you'd also know that she preferred a petite cup.

"Mom, you were our rock and our safe place, and our world will never be the same with you gone".

Angie, Cary, Jenni and Bethany.

Published in the Tri-City Herald on October 2, 2022.

Bomber Memorial put together by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).