She was born September 12, 1949 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to David and Jeanice Hobart. She was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by Douglas M. Barnes, her beloved husband of 47 years, her daughter Kimberly Chapa and husband Scott, her granddaughters Carissa and Elyse, her son Brian Barnes and wife Michelle, her granddaughter Sabrina and grandson due this December, and her brother Mark Hobart and his wife Sharon.
Michele’s parents relocated their family to Houston, Texas when she was 3 years old. She grew up attending Bethany Christian Church with her family. Her special interests throughout childhood were music, ballet, and all kinds of dancing. She graduated from Lamar High School in 1967 and in 1971 she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Texas Christian University. At TCU, she was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority and met her future husband Douglas. Following graduation from TCU, Michele married Doug and they raised their two children, Kimberly and Brian, in Southwest Houston. This is where Michele taught Music Education at Jane Long Middle School and also at Sutton and Red Elementary Schools in the Houston Independent School District for 23 years. Prior to retirement, she also taught Music for 2 years at Beren Jewish Academy.
Michele and her family joined Braeswood Assembly of God in 1985. She was the church pianist and choir accompanist for over 20 years. Doug and Michele retired to Sugar Land and loved their lakeside living there. Michele was a member of Merry Ministries at Sugar Land First United Methodist Church where she greatly enjoyed the fellowship and weekly Bible study.
Michele had a gift and love for teaching young students. She was an especially dedicated and doting grandmother to her 3 granddaughters. She loved sharing the joy of music, playing with, and caring for them as they grew. She was eagerly anticipating her new grandson’s arrival this December. She was more than a Mother-in-law to Brian’s wife Michelle, who lived just 6 doors down. She was a treasure to her family and friends and will be greatly missed.
Michele was a talented and giving person who always had a warm smile and kind word to share. Though she fought a long, hard battle, she never allowed it to steal the genuiness of her smile or the light in her eyes.
Michele and her family wish to thank the marvelous staff at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for their expertise, care, love, and support throughout her treatment. Thank you, Dr. Abenaa Brewster, Carol Stalzer, RN, Nicole Garza, FNP, and Marigold Travis, PT, our family is forever grateful.
