Barbara J. Saia-James' Obituary
With a heartful of love and a life full of stories, Barbara J. Saia-James moved to her heavenly home on Saturday February 21, 2026 in Brandon, FL following an illness.
Born in Pittsburg, KS Barbara was the twin daughter of Vincent and Josephine Saia. She was a beloved wife of the late Jerry James. After graduation from St. Mary’s Colgan High School she met the love of her life, Jerry and after marriage they relocated to Johnson County, Kansas. During that time Barbara worked for several companies . Most recently, after 32 years she retired from Enesco Corporation where she served as sales representative for the Precious Moments Division. Barbara loved serving in this role and thoroughly enjoyed being able to meet and work with so many wonderful accounts that became great customers and good friends of hers. Barbara’s outgoing vivacious personality endeared her to anyone that she encountered.
Always with a smile on her face and a story to tell, Barbara took joy in the simple pleasures of life. She never met a stranger that she couldn’t make feel right at home. Whether cheering on her favorite college teams or following the PGA golf circuit, Barbara enjoyed following all types of sports. In her spare time she was an avid golfer, enjoyed fishing at the lake with her husband Jerry and cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs and teams in the Big 12 conference. If she wasn’t following sports, she could be found working in her flower garden and manicuring her lawn.
Barbara is survived by her twin sister Brends K. Saia-Barbieri and her other twin siblings, brother Thomas V. Saia and sister Kathy Saia-Perkins and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Vincent and Josephine Saia, her husband Jerry, brothers-in-law Tom Barbieri and Ron Perkins and many aunts and uncles.
Mass of Christian Burial wil be 10:00am Thursday March 12, 2026 at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Fr. Michael Simone as celebrant. Burial will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Pittsburg, KS. Family will receive from 9:00-10:00 prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers the family asks expressions of sympathy to be in the form of memorials to the Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Fund. Friends may drop off or mail memorials to Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 522 S. Broadway Pittsburg, KS 66762. Condolences may be left at https://www.bathnaylor.com. Arrangements and services are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg, KS.
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