Barbara Sparks Pinnix

With a final, peaceful sigh, Barbara Ann Sparks Pinnix traded in her earthly salon chair for a heavenly chaise lounge on February 19th, 2025. Born on September 26, 1938, she lived a life as vibrant and colorful as one of her own paintings.

Barbara knew the secret to a good tan, the perfect perm, and winning at the slot machines. She could reel in a big one at the pier, just as easily as she could craft a bottle of her own vintage wine. Her early days saw her sliding into home base on the softball field, a foreshadowing of her adventurous spirit and love of travel.

A true artist, she found beauty in everything from the sunset over Lake Norman to the pages of a well-loved Little Golden Book. She could solve a crossword puzzle faster than you could say "Scarlett O'Hara" and her Scrabble skills were legendary. She was also a master of the 7pm Jeopardy questions every night, competing with her family members over supper. Her greatest joy, however, was cheering on her grandchildren at every game, making sure her voice was heard above all. She was their biggest fan, win or lose.

While we'll miss our “Gigi”, “Bobba”, “Granni”, “Barbara Ann”, and “Bob” in the coming days, we can cuddle the many Belky bears she left behind and enjoy the memories of our time spent together on holidays, birthdays, lakeside, and pool side throughout the years.

In addition to her parents, Lois Sale Sparks and Benjamin Reese Sparks, Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Richard Pinnix, her son Mitch Pinnix, and sister Bernita Sue Green. She was also joined in death by her sister Patricia Janie Gray the following day.

Barbara was a devoted wife and a loving mother to her children, Dicky Pinnix (Andrea) of Hamptonville, NC, and Mark Pinnix of Hamptonville. She was also a cherished grandmother to her grandchildren: Jared Pinnix of Hamptonville, NC, Leslie Pinnix Large of Yadkinville, NC, Melia Womac (Austin) of Maryville, TN, Heather Savoie (Chris) of North Platte, NE, Brett Pinnix (Elizabeth) of Wilmington, NC, Dylan Wood of Charlotte, NC, Jacob Pinnix (Alison) of Winston Salem, NC, and Morgan Pinnix of Hamptonville, NC. She also leaves behind many beloved great-grandchildren: Matthew Pinnix, Olivia Large, Korbin Savoie, Kyler & Koraline Edwards, Annie & Josie Womac, Jaxson Pinnix.

A celebration of Barbara's life will be held on Sunday, February 23rd at 3:00pm at Oak Grove Baptist Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Gentry Family Funeral Service is serving the Pinnix family.