Barbara Ann Sickmon

Barbara Ann (Cole) Sickmon was born on Nov. 21, 1942 to Catherine (Laughlin) Cole and Joseph James Cole ( both deceased) in Richmond Hill, New York. She leaves her ex-husband, Paul Sickmon, and long time partner and husband Roger Terrell Swofford along with 3 step-children, Shawn and Clinton Swofford and Angela Smith in addition to grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also leaves many cousins and one niece, Deborah (Sharkey) Carner and one nephew, James Sharkey born of her sister, Beverly Mae (Cole) Sharkey, deceased. Her two beloved children are Paul Joseph Sickmon (wife Deborah Sickmon) and two grandchildren, Knox Sickmon and Savannah Lee Sickmon along with her own daughter, Shannon Lee Sickmon.

She was the longtime matriarch of the Laughlin side of the family, a title she cherished and kept in touch with all of the members on a routine basis.

EDUCATION

Barbara graduated from Sewanhaka High School, Floral Park, NY, with honors in 1960. Graduated from State University of NY, Cortland, with honors in 1964. She also received a Masters of Science in Education from the same university in 1975. She further received a Masters in Science for Mental Health from Nova University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, in 1993 when she switched from a longtime teaching career to that of a substance abuse counselor.

CAREER

While raising her two children, Barbara was a Charter Member of the Gifted and Talented Council at the State University of NY, Cortland, which wrote one of the first curriculums and Mission statement for gifted and talented children ( the arts, language, math, music, science etc) enhancing their natural abilities by either having separate classes with peers who shared their gifts and/or enabling them to attend part of their school day at a BOCES facility, (Board of Cooperative Educational Services). She was one of the first teachers to put their mission into practice by teaching a 5th grade gifted and talented language arts class in Homer Elementary School where the children shared their learning by putting on educational plays and performances for the school.

After moving to the Ocala, FL area, Barbara continued her teaching career for many years at Fort King Middle School, 8th grade Language Arts.

Before moving to Georgia, from the Ocala, Florida area and earning her second master’s degree, she changed careers, beginning work in the mental health system in Forsyth County as a substance abuse counselor. She also facilitated recovery groups at the local high school. In 1996, she began working for the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles as a counselor in three offices. She was eventually promoted to Substance Abuse Coordinator for the state, a position she held until her retirement in 2007.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

In addition to the Gifted and Talented Programs, which have since been adopted in many parts of the state and nationwide, Barbara also was instrumental in beginning the ALF,( Alternative Living Manual) which eventually became THOR (Transitional Housing for Offender Reentry)—these have been copied as examples nationwide. Besides listing standards for recovery and sober living facilities statewide, it described in detail each acceptable facility being ensured of their compliance with visitation on the maintenance of these standards every two years by her or hired aides. She also served as GARR (Georgia Assn. of Recovery Residences) Ethics chairman for many years as well as on the certification board for new counselors for GACA (Georgia Addiction Counselors Assn.), both of which are statewide organizations.

LATER LIFE

Barbara has always loved traveling, and happily lived in Italy with her ex-husband, Paul where he was stationed in the Army. They were able to visit many European countries as well. Her son, Paul, was born in Italy. After being married to Roger, they went to Hawaii twice and Bermuda as well. They then spent many years touring the US both tent camping and later, with their RV.

Barbara and her husband Roger retired to Hartwell, Ga in 2019 where she quickly entered into community life becoming a member of the Pine Tree Garden Club which enhanced many areas with their projects. They also joined a local neighborhood group sharing the retired life style with them at many gatherings. She was also seen almost daily walking the roads accompanied by their rescue dog, Buster, who became loved and well known to many.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cortland County SPCA https://cortlandspca.org

879 McLean Road Cortland, New York 13045.