Barbara Jean Reed Houghton

Barbara Jean Reed Houghton passed away on March 5, 2015 from complications of Parkinson's disease. She was 88. Barbara was born on January 26, 1927 to Luella Goodnight Reed and William Davis Reed in Holland, Texas, where she was raised. She was a fourth generation Texan, her family being among the first settlers in Texas. Her great grandfather was the first sheriff of Bell County.

Barbara was an exceptional pianist, and considered a career in music, but decided to go the practical route, earning a Bachelor of Science from TSCW - now TWU. Later in life, however, she played piano at her church, where she was a devoted member.

Barbara moved to Houston in 1948 to pursue a career in administrative support to the drafting department at Humble Oil and Refining Co, now ExxonMobil. There she met Ralph J. Houghton and they married in 1949, remaining married for fifty two years until Ralph's death in 2001.

They moved often around Texas, living variously in Austin, Baytown, Corpus Christi, Kingsville, and Houston. In 1972, they moved overseas to Australia and then England where they lived for a combined eight years, traveling the world with their four children. They retired to The Woodlands, Texas, and after Ralph's passing, Barbara lived near children in Dublin, Ohio and then Plano, Texas. She was a longtime member of the Coushatta Trace Chapter of DAR.

Barbara was a proper lady, who also enjoyed the outdoors. She was an amazing cook and baker. She loved history, and enjoyed exploring historical sites during her worldly travels. As a young adult Barbara worked at Ft. Hood providing support to nursing staff of injured soldiers. In later life, she volunteered for nearly 20 years at local hospitals in the surgical waiting rooms. She was compassionate, gentle, light-hearted, and a good friend to many.

Barbara is survived by her children: Lauren, Bill, Jenny and Shari and their spouses, Jerry, Jim and Matt; six grandchildren: Travis, Sean, Peter, Grace, Kathryn and Christine; her niece, D'Anne, and nephew, Mike, and their beautiful families.

A memorial service for Barbara will be held at the First Baptist Church of Holland, Texas on April 11th at 2:00 p.m., and afterwards her cremains will be interred at Holland Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association or the American Heart Association.

"Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that is how I will remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears, then don't remember me at all." -Laura Ingalls Wilder