Barbara Hobbs

Barbara Houston Hobbs of Waco, Texas was born on August 9, 1936, in Riverside, Texas (Walker County). She passed away on the afternoon of May 14, 2024. After a brief illness, she was given the blessing of being reunited with her parents Frank and Annie Houston, daughter, Glenda Hobbs Reynolds, husband, Willie R. Hobbs, Jr. and sisters Bernice Garrett (Henderson) and Lavera Scott (J.V.).

A Celebration of her life will be 12pm, Thursday, June 6th, 2024 at Lake Shore Baptist Church. 

Barbara completed her secondary school education at Riverside Elementary and graduated from Sam Houston High School in Huntsville, Texas in 1953. She continued her education at Prairie View A&M College where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Library Science in 1957. She later received extensive training in hospital administration through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Barbara Houston was joined in marriage to Willie R. Hobbs, Jr. on June 16, 1956, in Riverside, Texas. To this union were born two children: Gayl Cynthia and Glenda Kaye. 

Barbara was working as a Library Aide at Prairie View during her senior year when the Superintendent of the Blind, Deaf, and Orphan School in Austin, Texas inquired about a librarian for the school. Barbara was selected and worked as teacher / librarian for 2 years. She forever cherished the experience she received, and knowledge gained working with the deaf especially when traveling abroad and observed deaf people talking in sign language and she was able to visit with them.

The family moved to Gatesville where Willie worked at the Gatesville State School for Boys while their second child was born. Later moving to Waco, Barbara served as a substitute teacher with the Waco Independent School District for 2 years. In 1961, she was employed with the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Waco as staff librarian and was promoted to the Chief, Library Service five years later. She was one of the most recognized librarians in the VA System. Having developed special collections and programs for psychiatric patients in the Waco VA library. She was assigned to join other selected librarians in the VA to conduct workshops throughout the VA System. She was later selected to receive special training to become an Equal Employment Opportunity Investigator, as a lateral assignment, from 1980 until her retirement in 1994. After retirement she continued to consult for the Department of Veterans Affairs for 5 years. She received a Proclamation from the Office of the Mayor, City of Waco in 1994 which was joined by the members of the Association of Waco Library Administrators, an organization that she founded. 

Barbara enjoyed entertaining and hosting gatherings in their home. The family's special occasions, church activities, wedding parties, graduations, and many others were welcomed to the Hobbs' house. She enjoyed many years as a member of the Circle-Lets Inc, a women's social organization. She was also a charter member of the Waco Links. Barbara was very involved in community activities. Beginning with leadership roles of the PTA at her daughter's schools and continuing throughout her life, she served on numerous boards in the city: Family Counseling and Children Services, Waco Performing Arts Center, ALIVE (Association of Locally Involved Volunteers in Education), McLennan Community College Wives Organization and the Waco McLennan County Friends of the Library.

Barbara joined the New Hope Baptist Church upon moving to Waco in 1961, where she enjoyed singing in the choir, teaching teens in Sunday School, and serving on special committees. ln 1991, she became a member of the Lake Shore Baptist Church where she coordinated the Meals on Wheels program at the church for nine years. Later she shared the responsibility as co-coordinator until 2011. She worked in the church nursery, served as an usher, co-chaired the Fellowship committee, and the Committee Coordinating Council. In January 2011, Barbara was ordained as a Deacon. She was dedicated and accepted any assignment. 

Barbara had a passion for traveling and took courses in becoming a traveling agent. She planned all the family trips. She was afforded the opportunity to travel around the world. Barbara's family was number two in her life with God being number one. She will be missed by her daughter, Gayl Hobbs; sisters, Hommye Zell Bonner (Arthur), Evelyn Davis (David); son-in-law, Terence Reynolds; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. She touched the lives of all she met, making everyone feel special. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.