Barbara Ann Sizemore Roark

Barbara Ann Sizemore Roark, 82, passed away at her home in Franklin, TN on June 15, 2023, after a four-year struggle with vascular dementia. Barbara is survived by her three children, Robin Holbrook of Franklin, TN; her son Jim Holbrook (Nea) of Queen Creek Arizona; and daughter Leslie Holbrook of Tomball, Texas, and two brothers; Jimmy Sizemore and Glenn Sizemore, both of Wooton, KY. She leaves three treasured grandchildren: Parker Forsythe, Allison Forsythe, and Samuel Holbrook. She is also survived by two stepchildren to whom she was particularly close and loved dearly: Deanna Roark Johnson (Chad) and Dustin Roark (Lyndsi). She leaves behind her treasured aunt, Buelah Pace Asher, who was like a second mother to Barbara in her later years. She is also survived by many treasured nieces, nephews, and step-grandchildren.

Barbara was born to the late Jimmy Sizemore and Cora Sizemore on October 2, 1940, in Hazard, Ky. She attended Leslie County High School and spent two years at Eastern Kentucky University before returning to Leslie County with the father of her children, Hubert “Sam” Holbrook, to raise her family. She was a bookkeeper by profession and worked for the Leslie County School System under Superintendent Hayes Lewis, followed by jobs at Wells Coal Company and Frontier Nursing Service. In 1987, she re-located to Lexington, KY with her family and she worked in administration at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, and eventually retired from the Dean’s Office in the College of Medicine. Barbara then worked with her second husband, Fred G. Roark, in his accounting firm until his death. Barbara was family oriented and happiest when she was planning large family gatherings and was known for her ability to cook delicious meals fresh from the garden. Her chicken and dumplings and cornbread, and homemade desserts were legendary and will be a permanent memory for anyone that ate at her table.

Church was very important to Barbara and she, along with her parents, was a charter member of the First Baptist Church in Wooton, KY. After her move to Lexington, she was an active member of Porter Memorial Baptist Church for many years. In her final years in Tennessee, she enjoyed attending Grassland Heights Baptist Church as her health permitted.

Barbara’s family would like to thank Stephanie Castrillo, Barbara’s in-home caregiver for the past eighteen months, for providing the care and support that allowed us to keep Barbara at home; and Adoration Hospice for providing the equipment, medication and support we needed during Barbara’s final nine months.

Services for Barbara will be held at the Walker Funeral Home in Hyden, Ky on Friday, June 23 at 2:00pm, preceded by visitation at the funeral home from 12-2. Officiating at Barbara’s request will be Rev. Darrell Joseph, with whom Barbara worked during her time at Wells Coal Company. Barbara will be laid to rest in a family burial service with her parents at the Hurricane cemetery, close to her childhood home. Serving as pallbearers will be Jim Holbrook, Stephen Sizemore, Michael Sizemore, Spenser Roark, and Timothy Stewart.