Barbara’s family wanted to write her obituary, however, being highly organized – she had already written her own, and here it is:
“It has been a good one, but first I need to get a few things off my
chest: I forgive my parents, Helen and James Rose, for giving me that
horrible middle name. I know you wanted to carry on a tradition, but it
was somewhat of a burden. One of the first things I will do after
getting settled into Heaven is to address my brother Jack Rose. I will
forgive you for making me stay in the house during most of my childhood
by using a bullwhip and a very mean duck. To my sister, Jimmie Driver,
my forgiveness for never letting me sleep by the open window while
growing up. I think it possibly contributed to my stunted growth.
God gave me a wonderful family that produced wonderful memories. Growing
up in a small town is like no other. You have lifelong friends that you
played with, loved and got into trouble with. Thank God for the loving
teachers, preachers and saints of the town that guided us with love,
even when we did not request it. I look back and thank Jesus for our
town not having a high school, otherwise I would not have met my
precious husband, Larry. Throughout our marriage, he was my best friend,
my love, my confidant and my strong shoulder. Being raised by wonderful
Christian parents, Omalie and Thurman Graham, he always made them
thankful for his birth and his life. He was a wonderful father to our
children, Kristi and Marc. We both later grew to love and cherish
Kristi’s husband, Jeff. Jeff thank you for all the flounder, fish and
dove from all those hunting and fishing trips. Thank you for loving
Kristi like no other. Thank you, Kristi, for tending to me when your dad
was taken. Thank you, Marc, for delivering yourself into goodness and
giving us a special son.
I wouldn’t change anything about my life. It certainly had its ups and
downs, but I knew that if God leads us to it, he will lead us through
it. I cannot be thankful enough for the many friends that have been
there for me for so many years. Dixie, Suzy and Jody were my
professional confidants, my shopping buddies and my lending ear. I love
each one of you. Did we have a ride or what?
Just when I thought God had not blessed us enough, he brought a special
church into our lives. New Hope has given us more than our hearts could
hold. It gave us a very close set of friends in our Couples Care Group.
Each week was spiritually uplifting and a very good meal. Thursday
Morning Volunteers provided us with a way to serve others and brought
into our lives a group of men and women that would become life family.
By now I am standing in God’s presence. I see so many who have gone
before me: my loving husband, my grandparents, my parents, my father and
mother in-law, my brothers Jack and Thom Sr, and my nephew Thom Jr.
They are all fine and will be waiting for each of you when you finish
your chores on Earth. I have been blessed to have such an awesome
family: (Son) Marc Graham, (Daughter and Son) Kristi and Jeff Irvin;
(Sister) Jimmie Driver; (in-laws) Sandy Rose, Kathy and Lynn Syma;
(Nieces and Nephews) Andi and Neal Kuyatt, Haley Kuyatt; Kaitlin,
Justin, Kinslee and Jordan Argo; Sally, Thommy, Ariel, Robin, Julia, and
Kassie Driver; Abigayle, Steve, Madison and Brooks Barton; Sherry and
George Luna, Haiden and Jace Wilson; Stacy and Colton Bishop; Rusty,
JoDee, Sable, Matthew and Kyle Austin. You have each played a very
important part in my life and have given me great joy!!! Besides my
precious children, I hate to leave my sister, Jimmie Driver. How many
hours have we visited and solved all the problems of the world and our
families? How many hours have we spent visiting on the phone? Thom and
Larry wondered how we could continue to talk about the same subject for
so many years. Thank you for helping me get through Larry’s death. Thank
you for being my confidant when he left. Thank you for saying that
blouse did not look so good on me, the hair style was wrong, or the
lipstick was too bright. Sisters always have such a special bond!
I leave this life which was given to me and taken from me by my Savior
Jesus Christ. Please do not be sad for me, for my Father has built a
Kingdom for me and those who follow. Please keep to the task of
following him daily. Do not use me as an example but look upward for
your guidance. I have one last request. Please leave this place joyfully
singing Amazing Grace at the top of your lungs.”
Services will be on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at New Hope
Church - 3640 CR 58, Manvel, TX 77578. Burial will be at Restland
Cemetery in Bishop, Texas at 2:00 p.m. on August 14, 2022.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara’s memory to New Hope Church (288 Campus) at 3640 CR 58, Manvel, TX 77578 or online at https://newhopechurch.tv/give or to the Bishop Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 142, Bishop, TX 78343.