Barbara Roberts Porter, 64, passed away peacefully on Thursday, 4 August 2022. She was preceded by her father and favorite dance partner, David Roberts, and many loved ones. She is survived and celebrated by her mother, Junith Roberts; her sweetheart, D. Ryan Sr.; her 6 children Ryan Jr. (Zandra), Audrianne Long (Jeff), Mark (Noelani), Jeff (Shannon), Sam (Carol), and Annamarie Merkley (Ryan); 21 grandchildren; and 9 siblings.
Barbara spent her life in the service of others through her numerous roles in church, her career as an emotional processing facilitator and trainer, countless unsung acts of kindness, and in her unceasing daily care and sacrifice for her family. She spread hope, healing, and heaven everywhere she went, and her greatest joy came from supporting and celebrating the joys and achievements of others.
Services for Barbara will be held Saturday, 13 August at 9:00 a.m., in the Mesa North Stake Center chapel, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 933 E. Brown Road, Mesa. Visitation will be held 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, 12 August, at Bunker’s University Chapel, 3529 E. University Dr., Mesa, and at 8:00 a.m. before services at the church.
Services can be viewed live at the following link: https://youtu.be/tHF56ZY6z-s
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
Our most heartfelt condolences to your family. Barbara was a incredible lady and pillar of strength, faith, and joy to everyone she associated with. She will be missed greatly!
Ryan and Family,
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Barbara’s passing. It just breaks my heart for you and for your family. I always loved Barbara and appreciated her friendship. She was a great strength and support to me during the short time we spent in Young Women’s together, then after Pete’s sudden passing. Please know both of you were dear to both Pete and myself. Sending much love and comfort to you. I know this is an extremely difficult time. I am so sorry that Daryl and I are in Florida and I won’t be able to attend the service. Hope it is as lovely as Barbara was.
Love to all of you,
Maryann Bethea
I am sorry for your lost.
We are so sorry to hear of Barbara’s passing. We knew Barbara from the old Mesa 6th ward days. All our families were in the same ward and we spent several years growing up together. Please know of our love for your family. May God bless you with peace and comfort at this time.
Barbara and Ryan lived in our neighborhood. Our children were good friends. We loved them and admired how they raised their family. Barbara was such a steady, kind, and gracious person
Barbara was a beautiful sweet lady.
Barbara is an amazing healer. She is my favorite emotional release therapist of all time and helped me and my family immensely through her practice. We love and respect her and are blessed to have known her.
President, so sorry to hear of your sweet heart passing. Along life’s path you and your family brought a joy to me. Thank you.
We will dearly miss our sweet friend. Barbara’s kindness often touched our hearts and her friendship has truly been a gift. Ryan, may you and your family feel peace and comfort at this very difficult and sad time.
President Porter and family, how we all will miss your angel Barbara! We want your family and the Junith Roberts family know of our sympathy, prayers and love.
John & Mila
I am so sorry for your loss
I never met your mom but as I read the comments she was a beautiful woman inside and out
Again so sorry for your loss
Ryan and family
I’m so sorry for your loss. Barbara was my emotional release trainer and since I’ve known her, has always been an inspiration to me. She is truly an Elect Lady full of charity and love. Her example has touched me in ways that will stay with me forever. She will be greatly missed! Prayers for your family at this time.
Dear Ryan, our deepest condolences at this time of your loss. Though our contacts have been few these last years, we remember Barbara as a kind, loving, gentle woman. God bless you and your family with peace and comfort during this time of grieving. We send our love to you all.
To the Porter family.
We are sorry for your loss, but we know of your faith in the plan of happiness and trust in the covenants of the Lord. Barbara was always a kind and gracious woman who loved the Lord, her family and all she met. We know she helped many people in numerous ways and she had an amazing talent to heal others. With the power of God she gave hope and tools to restore hopeless souls. Her testimony of the restored gospel was evident in all she did and her service of ministering will continue to the many who are struggling and in need of counseling and direction. We know the Lord loves the Porter family.❤️
As you reflect on her extraordinary life and shed tears of love ❤️ and gratitude, may His Spirit envelop you all with peace, hope and joy as you contemplate a glorious reunion at some future time after life’s missions are completed.
Ryan & Family
We are shocked and sorry at Barbara’s passing. She was a wonderful person in this life and will be in the next forever.
Barbara Roberts Porter lived a beautiful graceful life that touched so many people and they were better for their association with her-heaven has gained a special woman. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Roman and Nancy Darien Family
We love the Porters. Living next door on Draper for so many years and being in the same ward we were blessed to have our families grew close over the years. The friendship between my mom,JoAnn Erickson, and Barbara was a cherished one and my mom loved Barbara dearly. I know she was there with open arms waiting to welcome Barbara back home with our Heavenly Father. Til we meet again beautiful Barbara ? Our prayers and thoughts are with you Porter family! We love you!
Ryan and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of Barbara’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We are so grateful for the link for her Funeral so that we can be a part of the honoring of her life. We send our love!
I just found out about Barbara’s passing. I am beyond sad. She has been a light in my life since girls camp. I was Lucy enough to be her wards JC and will forever love the memories from that experience. I also joined her group of emotional processing and she has provided such healing for me from that. Along with her son Ryan and niece Savanna. My thoughts go out to her family. Love and prayers to all of you.