Barbara E. Leigh

One early November morning in Port Huron, Michigan a beautiful baby girl was born to Maurice and Myrene Whitsitt. So began the creation of a quilt with the needle threaded with the life of Barbara Esther Whitsitt. Her father, an immigrant from Canada, and mother, a local girl, built a large family. Barbara grew up in a crowded family of seven children in which she was patched into the Whitsitt fabric as number five; 2 older brothers, 1 older sister, and a younger brother and sister. At the age of thirteen her family moved to a farm in Utica, Michigan where Barbara attended a one room school house making many childhood friends and developing an incredible smile and zest for life. She kept busy riding horses with her girlfriend and doing everything to please her older sister Nancy, while weaving a deep bond of lifelong friendship. After several years on the farm, Barbara’s family moved to Rochester, Michigan where she attended high school continuing to stitch new relationships while quilting on her permanent smile. The one cold blistery winter afternoon walking home from school, she met the love of her life. Richard Leigh asked her if she needed a ride home. Little did she know, her quilt just took on a new direction. With the blessings of her family, Barbara married Richard on March 16, 1957 at the young age of sixteen. Later in life Barbara was cheered on by her family to finish school and get her GED.

Barbara’s new family quilt was just about to take shape as the young newlyweds honeymooned in Colorado Springs and eventually settled in California. Barbara, now a valley girl, gave birth to her first son James Paul Leigh in 1957. As she stitched Jim into her loving quilt, her second son, Ronald Thomas Leigh, arrived in 1958. After a few years of pulling the patch work together, Barbara’s third son, Timothy Melrose Leigh, joined the family in 1961.

Leaving California behind, Barbara and Dick moved their family quilt to her home state of Michigan where she could be closer to her parents and family. Once in Michigan, Barbara continued working on her quilt of life by serving her extended family, becoming active in a new church, the kid’s schools, and working part-time at the local D&C store. In 1970 it was again time to weave the next patch with the birth of her fourth son, Daniel Arthur Leigh.

With growing sons and a toddler in tow, Barbara and Dick left Michigan for a new job in Texas in 1972. With the move to Austin, Barbara began investing in more material and thread for her life quilt. While living on Emerald Forest Drive in South Austin, the family began attending Southwest Christian Church (SWCC) just down the street. In addition, Barbara began working at a local church in their nursery so Danny could attend the private school. Barbara’s joy in watching her sons in multiple sporting activities was shown by her laughter and consistent planning for each event; whether it was football, wrestling, baseball, tennis, or track events. Barbara and Dick’s male dominated household changed in the late 1970’s when God blessed Barbara with daughter-in-laws. Now the patch work of her life quilt took off like thread falling off the spool. Her love for her daughters was greater than anyone can imagine. With the birth of her first two granddaughters, Barbara left her job at the school and began providing childcare in her home. As her family expanded, she began working for Sunset Valley Elementary School in the kitchen where she shared her infectious smile and laugh with hundreds of children on a daily basis. After five years of service within her neighborhood school, she made a change and began working for Hancock Fabric where she was surrounded by women her age and love for sewing, quilting, and crafts.

Barbara’s commitment to her family, church, community, and friends was the pillar of her strength. Committed to SWCC, she served as a teacher, cook, activity coordinator, youth sponsor, and “events go-to person”. In addition Barbara’s service was instrumental in providing dinner faithfully for the Wednesday night bible studies. She continued quilting and making gifts for new members and new Mom’s. She enjoyed serving at the annual church HEB camp trips, youth beach trips, and many more activities where Barbara was seen as the strong fabric that never came undone.

Over the years to come, God continued to bless Barbara with the births of twelve grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Barbara, affectionately known as Grammie to her family and friends, knitted, quilted and crocheted herself into all of our homes and hearts. Barbara was truly a servant of the Lord, committed to others, calm during chaos, forgiving but firm, quiet but strong, devoted, grounded in the word of God, and she held a never ending smile that was gifted to her from birth.

Barbara continued giving to her community, family and friends until in early 2002 when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Barbara stayed dedicated to service and committed to her family and friends. Barbara’s illness gave many people an opportunity to meet her and experience the love she reflected every day in her life.

Barbara, Sis, Sweetie, Mom, Grammie, and Friend bonded all of us together with her smile. She quilted, knitted and crocheted her love into all she touched. Throughout her life she was Christ’s example for many women, children, and families in her community. Barbara’s is now with the Lord in Heaven. Barbara will live on in each one of us who knew her.

May the Grace and Peace of the Lord be with all of you.