Barbara Sharon (Vickers) Barnwell

Barbara Sharon Vickers was born on September 30, 1944, to Lowell R. and Corinne Vickers in Denver, CO. Barbara was welcomed into God’s arms on April 7, 2023. She fought a courageous battle with breast cancer. She passed at her daughter’s home with her husband, Ron, and daughter, Bonnie, at her side.

She attended Derby Elementary, Kerney Jr. High, and Adams City High School. She was a cheerleader and Majorette, and she loved band and sports. Volleyball was her favorite. Barbara was a lifeguard and swimming instructor and was in the 1960 synchronized swimming pageant at Adams City High School Fieldhouse.

Barbara married Ronald Barnwell on February 3, 1961. She and Ron attended Grace Baptist Church in Derby, CO. During the summer after graduation, Barbara worked for Walt Disney Productions at Celebrity Sports Center in Denver as a lifeguard and swimming instructor as her evening job, and her “day job” was at the Colorado State Capitol Building as a keypunch operator in the data processing division.

They then moved to Aspen, CO, where Ron worked construction. They also lived in Woody Creek and Basalt, but soon moved over to Frisco, CO, in Summit County, where Barbara and Ron lived for many years. She attended Leadville Community College with her major in business and photography. Barbara joined the Professional Photographers of America and trained with professionals at national conventions in Denver and California. She soon opened her own photography studio in Frisco, specializing in outdoor portraiture and weddings. Her business was rightly called Bonnie-Ray Photography (for both her children). She found that she wanted to have the wedding flowers as an added service for her customers, so she went to Denver and enrolled in courses, and graduated from Trim International School of Floral Design. Over the years, Barbara’s business grew and grew. It included catering, wedding cakes, and rental equipment.

She had customers from Lake Tahoe to the Mississippi coast. They then moved to Cleveland TN and many other places finally ending up in Penrose, CO.

While living in TN, she attended Cleveland Community College, taking more business and photography classes. Barbara was on staff at the college teaching basic photography.

She and Ron spent time living in Chandler and Mesa, AZ. The day after Ronnie graduated high school, they moved back to TN, then to Farmington, NM for a year, then to Penrose, CO, where they stayed. Barbara first joined the International Order Beta Sigma Phi Sorority in Chandler, AZ.  She was in chapters in Cleveland, TN, Farmington, NM, Montrose, CO, and now, MA 1237 Omicron Master Chapter in Canon City, CO, where she served as President for several years. She was also an active member of the Canon City Camera Club.

Barbara was an amazing mother, supporting her children in everything they did. If it wasn’t for her love of photography, so many memories would be forgotten. But, thanks to her pictures, those memories are preserved in beautiful arts of her work. She always provided an encouraging word to her children in support of their dreams, goals, and ambitions.

Barbara was so talented in so many areas. She created beautiful photography, flower arrangements, and spectacular wedding cakes, and never knew a stranger. Whoever knew Barbara loved her positive attitude and contagious smile. She always made sure everyone was taken care of before herself. We know we will see her again, as her faith in God was very important in her life.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Ronald Hubert Barnwell of Penrose, CO; her daughter, Bonnie Cummings of Farmington, NM; grandchildren, John (Alison) Cummings, Rachel (Chris) Kasten, expecting their first baby boy in late July of 2023, of Gilbert, AZ, and Andrew Walker of Albuquerque, NM; great grandchildren, Taylor, Madison, and Carter of Ft. Worth, TX; siblings, Ray (Lynn) Vickers of Farmington, NM, Dan and Bev McGraw, John Dohery and family, and Scott McGraw and their children, Jeanne (Bill) Morrison; nieces and nephews, Terri Gassman, JJ Gassman, Tony Gassman, Tina Baker (late husband, John), and their families, Leigh (and family), Mary (and family), and Andrew Morrison; and sorority sisters and longtime friends from TN and CO. She is preceded in death by her son, Ronald Raymond Barnwell; parents, Lowell, and Corinne Vickers; her sister Carole Gassman; mother and father-in-law Dorothy and Hubert Barnwell; and niece Pam Doherty.

Please join us in celebrating her life on June 2, 2023, at the Wilson Chapel in Canon City, CO, at 11:00 am. Please feel free to share your memories of a very beautiful soul. A reception will follow.

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