Barbara Shelby Johnson was the third of three children born to Albert and Mildred Shelby Spradling on September 12, 1928 in Lamesa Texas. Shortly after her birth the family moved to Lovington New Mexico where she went on to graduate from high school. She then attended and graduated from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales New Mexico in 1950. She went on to work as the Assistant to the Superintendent of Lovington Public Schools and then as a school teacher. In later years she worked as Executive Assistant for several large organizations. Her first love and principal lifetime focus however was always the love, care and welfare of her husband and children and to provide a loving, safe comfortable home for her growing family. She went on to show that same love and attention to her grandchildren and most recently, her great grandson.
She was married on October 5, 1952 to James F. “Pete” Johnson in Lovington New Mexico. His 37 year career with Shell Oil Company included stops in Hobbs New Mexico, Roswell New Mexico, Midland Texas, Gallup New Mexico, Denver Colorado, Houston Texas and Bakersfield California. Following their retirement they returned to their native Texas, living in Dripping Springs near Austin for 15 years enjoying the outdoor living of the Texas hill country. In 2006 Barbara relocated to Houston to be closer to her family. Husband Pete Johnson passed away following a struggle with Alzheimer’s in 2014. She lived the remainder of her life enjoying her extended family and friends. She went on to live with her son Gary and his wife Natalie for the remaining years of her life. She will be missed greatly by all of the friends that she carefully maintained over her long life. Mostly though, she will be remembered by the family that she devoted so much love and attention to. She was greatly loved and admired by all those who knew her.
Barbara is survived by her son Gary Stratton Johnson, his wife Natalie, her granddaughter Laura Johnson Hendrix and her husband James Joseph Hendrix and their son James Jeffery Hendrix, and her grandson Christopher Jeffrey Johnson. She was preceded in death by three brothers – Albert Spradling Jr., Robert Dudley Spradling, Donald Gary Spradling, and by her own two children – Gregory Taylor Johnson and Jeffrey Shelby Johnson. Barbara passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 18th 2024 at ninety five years old after a short period of failing health. She was surrounded by three generations of her family that she loved dearly.
Barbara was always a private person and never enjoyed being the center of attention. Respecting her wishes there will be no public service but rather an informal memorial gathering of friends and family at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway on Monday April, 29th 2024 between the hours 6:00pm and 8:00pm in recognition and appreciation of her long life. On Wednesday, May 1st 2024 she will be interred at the Wimberley Cemetery in Wimberley Texas in the presence of close family members.
Additionally, out of respect for her wishes, she has asked that in lieu of flowers the family requests with great gratitude that memorial contributions in her name be made to the charitable organization of your choice.
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