Barbara Glynn Corkins

Born September 10, 1930 in Harlingen, Texas, she was the daughter of Tracy Wilson and Helon Virginia Sawyer of Port Arthur, the sister of the late Thad Corkins of Alpine and the late Bob Corkins of Midland. She is survived by nieces Caren Corkins of San Antonio; Cathy and Mike Neie of Midland, their children Shaela and Keith Neie; Cam Peterson; an aunt, Marie Corkins Alverson of San Diego, CA and her sons Frank and wife Joy of Reno, Nevada and Bill of San Francisco, CA; plus friend and caregiver Sally Barbay.

Her ancestors helped found this country at Bunker Hill, the Battle of Trenton, and crossing the Delaware. The sound of music originated with her ancestors, one of whom was a bandmaster for the Confederate Army who came home to Memphis floating down the Mississippi as his band played “Dixie“; her mother was a gifted pianist and organist playing for silent films and on the radio.

Barbara began playing the violin at age 6 as a student of Josephine Boudreau. She studied music at North Texas University, then received the first full Music Scholarship the University of Houston had ever given. The late Ray Fliegel, former Houston Symphony concertmaster, was her teacher.

There followed a Masters degree in music at the Southern College of Fine Arts. She then joined the Tulsa Philharmonic as well as playing jobs with the Houston Symphony. She toured in the Midwest with a chamber music group. She studied violin and chamber music with Joseph Fuchs from Julliard who taught at Kneisel Hall in Blue Hill, ME in the summer.

She began a career in music education in the Beaumont, Texas school district, then arrived in Houston in 1961 at the same time as hurricane Carla to head Jane Long Middle School’s orchestra program which reached new heights under her baton as many awards and recognition came to this group, including the key to City of Houston from the Mayor for their being named the Honor Orchestra in Corpus Christi.

At Spring Branch School District she lead the Orchestra programs at Spring Branch High School, Spring Woods High, and Northbrook High as well Spring Oaks and Northbrook Middle Schools. The Spring Woods Symphony won many awards and medals as did the other groups. Barbara’s focus was always on playing musically not on the awards,

She felt her greatest music education contribution to the students of Spring Branch District was the Spring Branch All-District Orchestra which toured Europe in 1974 and had the opportunity to play before some of the most appreciative of audiences and the places where Mozart and Beethoven had played. One concert was broadcast on Austrian Radio; they visited the homes where great composers had lived. A number of these students became band and orchestra educators.

Barbara holds a high reputation as a musician and conductor. Her former students play in symphonies and are music educators today.

The outstanding oncology professionals who gave great support to her: Dr. Kirk Heyne, his super assistant Lynn, RN’s Nettah and Robin and all the RN’s in the Outpatient Center Methodist Hospital; to her team of MD’s at Memorial City Hospital, especially her RN Christine! Blessings on all of you.

A memorial in Barbara’s honor will be held Saturday, November 9 at 3 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway. Please

remember Barbara with donations to Spring Branch Education Foundation. ceciliathompson@springbranchisd