Obituary for Barbara Green (Sparkman)
Barbara Sparkman Breeden Green, 73 of Marietta, SC, wife of Charles Robert Green died peacefully at her home on November 3, 2022, after an extended illness. Born on January 30, 1949, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Barbara was the daughter of Anna Dunham Sparkman and the late Robert Clay Sparkman.
Barbara’s parents moved the family to Rockford, Illinois when Barbara was four years old, and it was there she spent her childhood. As the oldest of eight children, Barbara was a forced extrovert. Barbara became a caretaker at an early age helping raise her brothers and sisters.
Barbara attended Trinity Christian College in a suburb of Chicago. Several years later, Barbara earned an Associate of Science degree in Business at John Tyler Community College (now Brightpoint Community College) while working full time.
In 1994, a trip to San Diego and a stroll into a bead store led Barbara to begin her journey as an artist. After taking a beading class, Barbara found a love for jewelry creation and design. Barbara showcased her work at multiple art shows and festivals. At one of these shows the director of William Holland School of Lapidary Arts (Young Harris, Georgia) approached Barbara about teaching a beading class at the school. That conversation led to fifteen years of teaching numerous classes at William Holland and serving on the Board of Directors. Teachers and students recognized and appreciated Barbara’s dedication to moving the school forward on a positive path.
Barbara’s love for art encompassed more than jewelry. She was a painter and silversmith. Barbara also loved working with polymer clay and etching wood with a hot iron. Family and friends were always delighted to receive one of Barbara’s creations for a holiday or special occasion.
Extremely active in the arts community, Barbara was involved with the Metropolitan Arts Council from which she received several awards. Barbara participated numerous years in Open Studios and was featured as a local artist in The Greenville News. Barbara was President of WESCAGEM (a local gem club) and was Treasurer and President of the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies.
Over a span of twenty-five years, Barbara volunteered countless hours with the Girl Scouts serving in various roles including troop leader. Her love for the outdoors and teaching and inspiring a younger generation brought her immense joy.
As a devoted mother and grandmother, Barbara cherished time with family. She especially loved creating new memories with her grandchildren near and far – whether making a craft, exploring a new town, cooking pies or cookies for the holidays, or spending time outdoors.
Barbara was loved by many and will be missed by many more. Barbara is survived by her beloved husband, Charles Robert Green; her mother, Anna Dunham Sparkman; brothers Ronald Eugene Sparkman, Timothy Royd Sparkman and Thomas Lloyd Sparkman; sisters, Regina Sparkman Whitcomb and Nancy Sparkman Inskeep; her children from her first marriage to Fredric Lloyd Breeden: daughter, Sarah Breeden Carmichael and her husband, Rex, son Jared Nathaniel Breeden and his wife, Kelley, and son Jonathan Robert Breeden and his wife, Kirsten; stepson Robert Scott Green and his wife, Laird; and her beloved grandchildren, Leah Carmichael Mayton, Alexander Paul Carmichael, Nathaniel Patrick Breeden, Robert Duncan Breeden, Darby Connor Breeden, Annabel Julia Breeden, and Sarah Lillian Green.
Barbara was pre-deceased by her brothers, James Dunham Sparkman and Robert Lee Sparkman.
We greatly appreciate the kindness of the many friends who have been so generous during this time.
A celebration of life will be held in Brevard, North Carolina on November 13, 2022, at 2 PM at Moody-Connolly Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: American Cancer Society.
Online condolences may be left at www.mooyconnollyfuneralhome.com.
Barbara’s parents moved the family to Rockford, Illinois when Barbara was four years old, and it was there she spent her childhood. As the oldest of eight children, Barbara was a forced extrovert. Barbara became a caretaker at an early age helping raise her brothers and sisters.
Barbara attended Trinity Christian College in a suburb of Chicago. Several years later, Barbara earned an Associate of Science degree in Business at John Tyler Community College (now Brightpoint Community College) while working full time.
In 1994, a trip to San Diego and a stroll into a bead store led Barbara to begin her journey as an artist. After taking a beading class, Barbara found a love for jewelry creation and design. Barbara showcased her work at multiple art shows and festivals. At one of these shows the director of William Holland School of Lapidary Arts (Young Harris, Georgia) approached Barbara about teaching a beading class at the school. That conversation led to fifteen years of teaching numerous classes at William Holland and serving on the Board of Directors. Teachers and students recognized and appreciated Barbara’s dedication to moving the school forward on a positive path.
Barbara’s love for art encompassed more than jewelry. She was a painter and silversmith. Barbara also loved working with polymer clay and etching wood with a hot iron. Family and friends were always delighted to receive one of Barbara’s creations for a holiday or special occasion.
Extremely active in the arts community, Barbara was involved with the Metropolitan Arts Council from which she received several awards. Barbara participated numerous years in Open Studios and was featured as a local artist in The Greenville News. Barbara was President of WESCAGEM (a local gem club) and was Treasurer and President of the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies.
Over a span of twenty-five years, Barbara volunteered countless hours with the Girl Scouts serving in various roles including troop leader. Her love for the outdoors and teaching and inspiring a younger generation brought her immense joy.
As a devoted mother and grandmother, Barbara cherished time with family. She especially loved creating new memories with her grandchildren near and far – whether making a craft, exploring a new town, cooking pies or cookies for the holidays, or spending time outdoors.
Barbara was loved by many and will be missed by many more. Barbara is survived by her beloved husband, Charles Robert Green; her mother, Anna Dunham Sparkman; brothers Ronald Eugene Sparkman, Timothy Royd Sparkman and Thomas Lloyd Sparkman; sisters, Regina Sparkman Whitcomb and Nancy Sparkman Inskeep; her children from her first marriage to Fredric Lloyd Breeden: daughter, Sarah Breeden Carmichael and her husband, Rex, son Jared Nathaniel Breeden and his wife, Kelley, and son Jonathan Robert Breeden and his wife, Kirsten; stepson Robert Scott Green and his wife, Laird; and her beloved grandchildren, Leah Carmichael Mayton, Alexander Paul Carmichael, Nathaniel Patrick Breeden, Robert Duncan Breeden, Darby Connor Breeden, Annabel Julia Breeden, and Sarah Lillian Green.
Barbara was pre-deceased by her brothers, James Dunham Sparkman and Robert Lee Sparkman.
We greatly appreciate the kindness of the many friends who have been so generous during this time.
A celebration of life will be held in Brevard, North Carolina on November 13, 2022, at 2 PM at Moody-Connolly Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: American Cancer Society.
Online condolences may be left at www.mooyconnollyfuneralhome.com.