Barbara Houston

Barbara Janet Parks Houston was born to Graydon Bernard Parks and Elsie Bankhead Parks on December 18, 1930 in Millsap, Texas. She passed from this life on May 29, 2014 in Hobbs, New Mexico.

Barbara attended school in Millsap, Texas and graduated from Millsap High School in 1947. She attended the University of North Texas, earning a B.A. in English in 1951 and a Masters in English in 1962. Barbara began her teaching career in Millsap, Texas. She also taught in Abilene, Texas, Mineral Wells, Texas, and Ponder, Texas, before moving to Hobbs in 1957.

On August 25, 1956, Barbara married Frank Norman Houston, III at First Methodist Church in Millsap, Texas. They moved to Hobbs, New Mexico in 1957. Two children were born of this union, Leslie Houston Hill of Hobbs, and John Houston of Millsap, Texas.

Barbara began teaching at Hobbs High School in August 1957. She taught both English and Spanish her first year and English only thereafter. In 1969 she was named the first department chairman of the English Department and served in that capacity until 1978 when she became the first female assistant principal at Hobbs High. In January 1988 she became the principal at Highland Junior High School until her retirement in 1990. Following her retirement from the Hobbs Schools she made the Hobbs High School class schedule for 1991 and taught English Literature at University of the Southwest. The AP curriculum that is currently used by the Hobbs High School English Department is based upon the Honors English curriculum that she created in the 1960s.

Barbara was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and the Womens Civic Club. After retirement Barbara and Frank traveled extensively with primary focus on Europe and Great Britain.

She is survived by her husband of fiftyseven years, her daughter Leslie Hill and husband Donnie Hill, of Hobbs, New Mexico, and her son John Houston of Millsap, Texas. She is also survived by her grandchildren Mark Hill of Lubbock, Texas, Lauren Hill of Hobbs, Hannah Hill of Hobbs, Donnie Hill, Jr. of Hobbs, Sherry Hill Goodwin and husband Brian of Hobbs, Amy Hill of Hobbs, and Richard Hill and wife Brooke of Midland, Texas. She is also survived by eight greatgrandchildren.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and her brother G.B. Parks of Millsap, Texas.

Family visitation will be held Monday, June 2, 2014 at Chapel of Hope Funeral Home from 46 p.m. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Gary Dill presiding. Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, June 6, 2014 at Millsap Cemetery, Millsap, Texas.

Visitation

Chapel of Hope
3321 N. Dal Paso
Hobbs, NM  88240
Monday, June 2, 2014
8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Service

Funeral Service

First Presbyterian Church
920 N. Turner
Hobbs, NM  88240
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
2 p.m.

Graveside

Millsap Cemetery
Millsap, TX  76806
Friday, June 6, 2014
11 a.m.

Cemetery

Millsap Cemetery
Millsap, TX  76086