Sandra L. Barden

Sandra L. Hodge Jenne Yerton Barden, 63, of Smyrna, passed away December 23, 2022 at Community Memorial Hospital in Hamilton, NY.

She was born on December 31, 1958 in Norwich, NY, a daughter of Ralph and Dorothy Jeffrey Hodge. Sandra graduated from Sherburne-Earlville High School, SUNY Morrisville (Norwich Campus) and received her Theology and Philosophy degree from Hartwick College. She continued her education at the Wesley Theological School, receiving her Master’s degree in Theology. Sandra pastored the Broome Developmental Oxford SOCR, the Columbus Quarter Church, the United Methodist Churches in Coventry, Union Valley, Port Crane, and Sanitaria Springs, NY. She moved to Pennsylvania where she pastored the United Methodist Churches in Meshoppen and York, as well as serving as group home supervisor for ShadowFax Corp. Returning to New York, she was the United Methodist Church representative to the World Council of Churches for the USA and was also the Chair of Decade to Overcome Violence.  On October 11, 2009 Sandra was united in marriage to Ernest Barden in Earlville, NY. Among her favorite past-times were quilting, swimming, cooking, reading and doing puzzles.

Surviving are her husband, Ernest; her mother, Dorothy Jantzen, Earlville; children, Kenneth Gonzalez, St. Louis, MO; Walter Yerton (April Raymond), New Berlin, NY; Bridget (Freddie Edelman) Bassett, Manlius, NY; brothers, Greg Hodge (Terry Drake), New Berlin; Shawn (Dawn) Fisher, Hannibal, NY; Michael (Sheryl) Hodge, Earlville; grandchildren, Katelyn Bassett (Nate Bush), Cincinnatus, NY; Tyler and Austyn Yerton, New Berlin; great grandchildren, Blake Rice and Oakley Bassett, Cincinnatus; several nieces, nephews, cousins and step-family members. She was predeceased by her father, Ralph; children, Dennis and Trisha Jenne in 1984 and William J. Yerton in 2013.

A Celebration of Life and Resurrection for Sandra will be held at 11am Friday, May 26, 2023 at the United Methodist Church, Smyrna, NY, followed by interment in the Earlville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Hospice of Chenango County, 33-39 Court St., Norwich NY 13815; or to the Smyrna United Methodist Church, c/o Barbara Parry, Treas., County Rd 20, Smyrna, NY 13464.