Barbara Johnston Parker Callison, died on August 26, 2024, in Pleasanton, California. She was born November 10, 1935, in Merced, California. Growing up in Merced she loved horses, neighborhood hijinks with her sisters, swimming in the community pool and music. Barbara attended the University of California at Davis where she met Jack Callison. She transferred to Berkeley where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in June 1957. She married Jack Callison on June 23, 1957. The newlyweds moved to Chicago where Jack was assigned as a first lieutenant in the Army. Their daughter Sandy was born in Chicago in 1958, They moved back to California in 1959 where Jack worked for a number of veterinarians in Lancaster, San Fernando and Bishop. Sheila was born in Lancaster in 1959 and David in San Fernando in 1961. In 1964, Jack bought a veterinary practice, and they moved to Smith River. Roberta was born that year. Bárbara was a loving mother and Nana. She was active in the Smith River United Methodist Church, sitting on leadership committees, playing the organ and piano, singing in the choir and arranging flowers. When her kids were young, she was a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader. Barbara received her teaching credential from Humboldt State in 1978 and worked as a substitute teacher for DNUSD. After she and Jack divorced, Barbara worked at Parsons Paints and later at the Del Norte County Library. Barbara had a life-long love of music, flowers, birds and reading. She was a member of the North Coast Chorale, The Barbershop Quartets After 5 and Mixed Company, and The Orca Singers. She also sang in Lighthouse Repertory Theater plays. Although she suffered several heartbreaking losses, Barbara remained an optimistic and kind person throughout her life. Barbara is survived by two daughters – Roberta Steinberg (Bruce) and Sheila Callison (Matt Sneddon). Her children Sandra Callison and David Callison predeceased her. She is also survived by her two sisters, Sally Landels of Belmont, California and Judy Payne of Thousand Oaks, California. She has four grandchildren – Hayley Sneddon, Colin Sneddon, Julian Steinberg and Jeremy Steinberg. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Smith River United Methodist Church on September 30th at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to one of the following: Smith River United Methodist Church, Sandra Callison Memorial Scholarship (through DN Scholarship Foundation), or KEET public television.A Celebration of Life will be held at Smith River United Methodist Church Monday, September 30th at 3:00 pm. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });