Barbara Ann Coyne

Barbara Ann Joiner Coyne, age 72, of Mesquite, Texas, passed away on Friday, November 7, 2025. She was born on August 20, 1953, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Benjamin J. Joiner Jr. and Patricia (La Branche) Joiner. The younger of two children, Barbara was the wild one despite spending too many days of her youth battling various health issues in her native hometown of Jacksonville, Florida.

Her favorite moments when she was young were spent during summers visiting her paternal grandparents, Joiner Sr. and Grandma Joiner. She also shared a precious relationship with her maternal grandfather, affectionately nicknamed "Pear", until his death in her late 20s. She inherited her love of ballet and cooking from her mother, but her penchant for mischief and adventure was something all her own.

After graduating from high school, she attended the all women's college Prospect Hall where she earned an associates degree and a love of Broadway. The summer after she graduated, she spent time traveling through Europe and seeing every musical she could possibly afford.

Shortly thereafter, she moved to Texas and started working at Sanger Harris department store in downtown Dallas. She worked in the women's handbag department and quickly caught the eye of electronics department extraordinaire, Mike Coyne. A few months, a record player, and an install offer later, Barbara and Mike were married July 23, 1976, in Dallas, Texas.

Barbara and Mike built their lives in Mesquite, Texas, and in July of 1984 and April 1986 respectively, welcomed daughters Kelly and Lindsey. Life for the Coyne family was packed with all mishaps and mayhem you can imagine for a family of four with two kids determined to try every sport and activity on the planet. Dancing at Rehearsal Hall Dance Studio in Dallas became the passion that Kelly and Lindsey were able to share with Barbara- and her own Mom's Show Team- over the ten years they were members. Barbara spent evenings and weekends either rehearsing with her fellow moms or creating costumes and sets with the studio director.

When Barbara found that her dancing days were over, Mike suggested that she audition for a women's barbershop chorus- The Richtones- who needed a new crop of talent just as much as she needed a new passion. That newspaper advertisement and Barbara's successful try-out for the chorus, ended up changing her life in ways no one could have predicted. The Richtones and Barbara's over two decades of membership in the chorus brought her more music, memories, and magic than even she could've put into words. She made life-long friends that became family; she traveled hundreds of miles and competed in dozens of competitions; she sang countless notes in an opus of friendship and love.

However, even more than being a Richtone, Barbara cherished being a Nana to her four grandkids– twins Owen and McKenna in 2015, and Avery and Colton in 2018 and 2019. Barbara retired after 35 years in Human Resources and took the morning shift watching the twins when they were babies. She and Mike were always on call for illnesses and injuries; front row for fundraisers and performances; the first call for support and encouragement when their girls needed it.

It is impossible to capture the intricately complex and beautifully imperfect person that Barbara was. She loved deeply and fully as a wife, as a mother, and as a friend. She made magic whenever and wherever she could. She paid attention to the details and made the people in her life feel special and seen without it ever seeming difficult. She found a way to laugh and find joy in her life's darkest moments and never failed to be a light to others in theirs.

Barbara is survived by beloved daughters: Kelly and husband Ryan of Keller, Texas, Lindsey and husband Ted of Fate, Texas; sister Mickie (née Marcel) Boyette of Plano, Tx; grandchildren Owen, McKenna, Avery and Colton, and countless other friends and chosen family. Barbara is preceded in death by husband Mike (née James) Coyne and parents Ben and Patricia Joiner.

Flowers are welcome, and for those who prefer, a donation to the Alzheimer's Association in Barbara's memory would be equally appreciated.