Barbara J. Barnard

Barbara J. Barnard

Knox City

Barbara J. Barnard from Knox City, Texas passed away Monday morning, January 20, 2014 at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, Texas. Mrs. Barnard was 75. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at Knox City Cemetery in Knox City with Rev. Tex Cox officiating. Arrangements were made under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Home.

Barbara Egenbacher was born August 29, 1938 in Knox City, Texas. She was the only child of Erwin Andrew and Opal Scales Egenbacher. She was a member of the First Christian Church where she was a Sunday school teacher and volunteer for many projects. Barbara graduated from Knox City High School in 1956 then went on to Draughon's Business College and attended Midwestern University. Barbara served on the Knox City city council for eight years, the board of the Chamber of Commerce; a member of 1946 Study Club, Eastern Star, and Knox City Ex-Students. A Knox City Grey Hound mother and grandmother for all her children and grandchildren, Barbara also volunteered as a Cub Scout Den Mother and band booster.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Ernst and Barbara (Emmert) Egenbacher of Bowie, Texas and Ewen and Clara (Payton) Scales of Electra, Texas; her parents, Erwin and Opal Egenbacher; granddaughter, Chrystal Tankersley Robison; grandson, Richard Payton Barnard; son Payton's father, Bobby Aaron Tankersley; and son Andy's father, R.P. Barnard.

She is survived by her two sons, Payton Tankersley and wife Kristi, their children Brian, Brook, Daniel, Kaleb; and Erwin Andrew Barnard and his sons Drew and Samuel; her children by marriage, Richard Barnard and children Kelly and Kathleen; Joe Barnard and wife Barbara and their children Melissa and Brackston; Mike and Cheryl Barnard Farr and children Traci and Douglas; 14 great-grandchildren. Barbara is also survived by Sammy Pierce and sons Keith, Jeff and Wade' and her dear, dear friend, Birdie Helton and husband Bobby Joe. Barbara loved to share how she and Birdie knew each other for more than 60 years and was still friends.

A special thank you to Dr. Anton Melnyk, Dr. Udaya Swarna, Nancy Holden, and Dr. Laura Bennett for their attentiveness and treatment; and a particular thank you to Kristi for her loving care and sensitivity.

If desired, memorials can be given in Barbara's name to Abundant Life Church, P.O. Box 68, Knox City, TX 79529 or American Cancer Society, 3402 N. 1st Street, Abilene, TX 76903.

Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.smithfamilyfh.com.