Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery Friday, March 10, 2023 Arrive by 8:15 a.m. Interment at 9 a.m.

Services will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2023.

Alfred Street Baptist Church 301 S. Alfred St Alexandria, VA 22314

Viewing: 10AM Funeral: 11AM In lieu of flowers we request that contributions go to the Department of Missions at Alfred Street Baptist Church.

On January 20, 2023, Barbara Lucille La Ha Patterson Sparks-Keller, 90, of Badin, North Carolina, found rest in the Arms of the Almighty.

Barbara, affectionately known as the "Hat Lady" or simply, "Barbara Keller", was born on August 3, 1932, becoming number 11 out of 13. Barbara was proud to have never missed a day at West Badin High School. For one year, Barbara attended Shaw University before studying at Kate Bitting Memorial Hospital.

In the 1950's, Barbara moved to Alexandria, VA and gave birth to her only child, Ellanor Jean Sparks in 1958.

Her career as a nurse was a historic one being the first Black woman to work at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), being the first Black nurse at Navy Hospital in Bethesda, MD, and being one of the first Black school nurses in the newly integrated Alexandria Public School system, working at Francis C. Hammond Middle School for 35 years.

Even after retirement, Barbara still remained committed to serving others, acting as a caretaker, resource, and friend in times of need.

For over 60 years, Barbara was a member of Alfred Street Baptist Church, serving as a Deacon and Missionary. She worked with the Homeless Outreach, the Family Bereavement Ministry, Helping Hands, Pastor's Aid, and was a Lay Leader. With Deacon William Willis, Barbara began the program to deliver Christmas baskets to families in the community, taking money out of her own pocket to ensure families had a happy holiday. She also was a member of Psalms of Praise, attending choir practice regularly.

Her mission to God was recognized with numerous accolades, including her service as President of the Virginia Baptist Convention between 1989 - 1991, where she also received the Prestigious President's Award in 2011. In 2022, Barbara was recognized as being a "Pillar of the Church" by Rev. Howard John Wesley.

Barbara was an avid traveler with her "posse" (you know who you are), visiting every continent besides Antarctica. Her first mission trip for the Lord was to Jerusalem with Rev. John O. Peterson. As the president of the Baptist General Convention, she visited 125 churches all over Virginia, representing the Lord. Her travels with Lott Carey led her to be recognized as Woman of the Year in 2017.

Her love of sports took her around the country- visiting 32 stadiums across the United States. Beginning in 1988, Barbara started having her world- renowned Super Bowl parties that still are happening today.

Barbara was an avid reader. Every morning, she would go outside to grab her copy of The Washington Post, read her Bible, and sit in her favorite chair with her beloved Roxy by her feet. One of her favorite activities was sitting down to do a puzzle (for the last few years, she limited herself to a 300-piece count). Every night, Barbara would watch CNN ( especially Anderson Cooper) to put herself to sleep.

As a generous giver, Barbara left a legacy on all who knew her. The best advice she gave her daughter was to accept every prayer because you never know what prayer enters God's ears first. She prayed for us, and started us on our way.

Barbara now peacefully awaits in Heaven when she will be reunited with her beloved survivors Ellanor Peck (daughter), John Peck (son-in-law), Anna Peck (granddaughter), Johnathan Peck (grandson), Cozzetta Thomas (sister), Lois P. Dixon (sister), Jennifer & Nadia Berry (goddaughters), Terry Patterson (sister-n-law), and numerous members and friends. Barbara was preceded in death by her mother, Anna Lipscomb Patterson, and husband, Sgt. Otis Keller.