Barbara Tirrell Earwood

SONORA Barbara Tirrell Earwood of Sonora, Texas, went to be with her Lord and Savior and to reunite with her loving husband on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014, at the age of 93. Barbara was born on July 18, 1920, to Vernice and Irving Tirrell in Quincy, Mass., along with two sisters and three brothers. She graduated high school from The Woodward School for Girls in Quincy, Mass., attended Angelo State University, studied with the Washington School of Art, North Light Art School and under Robert E. Wood. Barbara continued her passion of art throughout her life studying under many nationally known artists and watercolorists. Although watercolor, with its tremendous challenge, was her favorite medium, she also did pen and ink, oils and scratchboard. Life on a working ranch where cattle, sheep and Angora goats are raised offered unlimited ideas for work. The beauty of the Edwards Plateau, where wildlife abounds, is reflected in her drawings and paintings. Barbara was married 71 years to her beloved husband, Armer, and together they raised three children, Elsie Earwood Belk of Winters, Melinda Earwood Crain and Edward Armer Earwood of Sonora. The family are longtime members of St. John's Episcopal Church, where Barbara served on the altar guild and the women of the church. Barbara served as a past president and past director of the Big Country Arts Association of Abilene and was a director of the Texas Fine Arts Association, member of the West Texas Art Guild, the San Antonio Art League, San Angelo Art Club, signature member of the Texas Watercolor Society and the San Antonio Watercolor Group and a signature member of the Southwest Watercolor Society, where she regularly exhibited and won awards. Permanent exhibits include the Sonora Bank, Sonora Public Library and Girl Scout of America pamphlet. Barbara was a Girl Scout leader and enjoyed teaching her passion of art to the youth and adults alike. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Armer Earwood; siblings Gertrude Tirrell Bates, Winston Irving Tirrell, Phyllis Tirrell Winnett, David King Tirrell and John Cote Tirrell; daughter-in-law Carolyn Earwood; granddaughter-in-law Staci Belk; and her great-granddaughter, Eryn Belk. She is survived by her three children, Elsie and Allen Belk, Melinda Crain, Pam and Edward Earwood; their nine grandchildren, Health Belk of Eola, Michelle and Harley Belk of Winters, Barbara and Keith Newland of Bryan, Katy and Quincy Crain of Sonora, Jesse and Wade Dellis of Goldthwaite, Blair and John Bryan of Walker, La., Becca and Riley Crain of Christoval, Emily and Carl Whitworth of Doole and Meredith Earwood of Sonora. She is also loved by 18 great-grandchildren. Barbara is best remembered as a loving and patient mother and grandmother who loved her family and her Lord dearly. The family wants to thank all who have offered prayers and helped in her care, especially Delma Martinez, Becky Levario, Edna Lopez and all the staff at the Schleicher County Medical Center Nursing Home and Hospice of San Angelo. Special friends: Silvino, Bicky, Santos, Agustina, Keno and Roy. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. John's Episcopal Church of Sonora; Hospice of San Angelo; or the charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, at St. John's Episcopal Church at with internment of ashes in Sonora Cemetery. Reception to follow in the parish hall.