Barbara Parker Sandler

Barbara Alice Parker Sandler, age 78, passed away quietly on June 4, 2012. Visitation is 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Thursday, June 7, 2012 at Baldwin - Lee Funeral Home in Pearl. Graveside services, at Beth Israel Cemetery in Jackson, will be on Friday, June 8, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. Rabbi Cohen will officiate.

Barbara Sandler was born in Brewton, Alabama in 1934. Her parents were the late Calvin and Kate Parker.

Barbara Sandler graduated from W.S. Neal High School. Her first job was with Chemstrand in Pensacola, Florida. It was there that she was introduced to the love of her life, Charles Sandler. She and Charles spent 25 years proudly serving their country, him as a Naval Aviator and Staff Officer all over the world and Barbara, the homemaker, was always by his side.

When Charles retired from the Navy in 1981, they undertook an even more daunting mission, Charles as a Navy Junior ROTC Instructor and Barbara as the “mom” to the students. She was known by the students as the “Cookie Lady” for every competition trip the JROTC Units made, she was always there with homemade cookies.

She was an active Volunteer and member of the Auxiliary at St. Dominic Hospital. She was a loving mother and grandmother, devoted friend and a true southern lady.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, CDR Charles Sandler. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Michael McClain, grandchildren Leyah Schwartz and Connor McClain, sisters-in-law Helen Parker, Josie Parker and Sandra Parker, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Barbara and Wally Palevoda, son-in-law Jay Schwartz and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the St. Dominic Hospital Auxiliary.