Barbara H. Sleeper's Obituary
Barbara Luan (Hamm) Sleeper was born on July 25, 1938, in McKinney, Texas. She passed away peacefully on May 25, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, leadership, education, and deep love for her family, friends, students, and community.
Barbara devoted much of her life to education, mentorship, and service. Throughout her accomplished professional career, she served in numerous leadership roles. From 1982 to 1995 she was part of the Sample House and Candle Shop Family where she was their Corporate Vice President and was promoted to Vice President of Sales and Marketing. She looked forward to work each day because Foster and Nancy Poole treated everyone like family rather than employees. Not to mention, there was always a lot of laughter!
While working full time at Sample House, Barbara went back to college. She attended Dallas Baptist University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree with a double major in Marketing and Management, followed by an MBA with a concentration in Marketing. She enjoyed DBU as a student, she decided to make it her career. Teaching marketing and helping students excel became her passion. During her time at DBU she held numerous positions, starting as adjunct professor in 1994, and evolving to Director of Counseling and Adult Services, Director of Graduate Business Programs, and Assistant Professor of Business. She cherished every role she held, but her deepest love was reserved for the students she taught and advised. She was driven by a passion for helping others grow both personally and professionally—a commitment matched by her intelligence, leadership, and a legendary work ethic.
In addition to her career, Barbara poured her heart into civic, educational, and faith-based causes. Her deep involvement with the American Business Women’s Association allowed her to shine; she held numerous offices and traveled across the country addressing chapters nationwide. She loved public speaking!
She was a devoted member of Cross City Church in Euless, and was a founding member of the Women Reaching Women class, where she built lasting friendships and faithfully served alongside her church community for many years. Barbara even coached her daughter’s soccer team, and led her daughter’s Girl Scout troop. Fun fact - she even played one season on a women’s soccer team. Her family had a great time cheering her on from the sidelines!
Barbara shared a loving marriage with her husband, Clarence H. Sleeper, whom she married in November of 1968. Their love and partnership endured for decades, and after Clarence’s passing just two months ago, Barbara was undoubtedly looking forward to being reunited with him once again.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence H. Sleeper; her parents, Walter F. Hamm and Cora Etta (Brown) Hamm, her son, Grant Anderson; her sister, Shirley Hamm Gray; and her brother, Donald Hamm.
She is survived by her daughter, Stacey Anderson Walker and husband Kyle; stepdaughters, Nancy Sleeper Brock and husband Bevin, and Viki Sleeper Winters, her brother, Jimmy Hamm and wife Shirley ; her granddaughters, Emiley Walker Lewis and husband Ben; Allison Walker Braley and husband Ryan and her beloved great granddaughters, Brooklyn Kit Braley and Collins Emiley Braley, who brought immense joy and pride to her life.
Barbara will be remembered for a smile that could light up any room, loving her family fiercely, and her incredible ability to make every person she met feel seen, valued, and deeply cared for. She touched countless lives through her kindness, wisdom, faith, generosity, and servant’s heart. More than all of her accomplishments, she loved her family deeply and cherished every moment spent together.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” — Psalm 23
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