Hazel LaGrace Barkman's Obituary
Hazel LaGrace Weems Barkman died peacefully at Parkland Hospital in Dallas TX on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at the age of 83.
LaGrace is survived by her husband Donald Barkman, sister Elizabeth Bradford; daughter Diane and husband Richard Scott of Grapevine, TX; son Russell and wife Stephanie Barkman of North Richland Hills, TX; son Roger and wife Jennifer Barkman of Texarkana, TX; Grandchildren Barbara and husband Matthew Wells, Margaret and husband Zack Walters, Jonathan Barkman, Katie Barkman, Logan Thompson, Nicholas Barkman, Andrew Barkman, William Barkman; great-grandchildren Benson Wells, Aubree Stillwell, Grace Wells and Henry Walters.
LaGrace was born on November 21, 1934 in Temple TX to Bill and Hazel Weems. The day after her graduation from Temple High School, the family moved to Texarkana, where she would attend Texarkana College and study education. She taught 3rd grade for 1 year in Arkansas before meeting and marrying Donald Lee Barkman. The two married August 3, 1956, in an elegant formal ceremony of pink and white, at Walnut St. Church of Christ in Texarkana; the same church at which a friend introduced them. They honeymooned in the big city of Dallas, TX before making their first home in College Station while Don completed his degree at Texas A&M University.
LaGrace and Don’s 3 children were born as the family moved among several Texas and Arkansas cities throughout their lives. Diane was born in 1957, Russell in 1959, and Roger in 1970. The first of their grandchildren was born in July 1979 and their 5th great grandchild is expected in August 2018. For nearly 62 years, LaGrace watched her family grow from 2 to 22 people with each new marriage and birth. This was never more evident than at Christmas time, when the entire family would gather together in Longview for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day festivities. To many of her grandchildren, LaGrace and Don’s house in Longview was “home” for those few days, even though they lived elsewhere the rest of the year.
Though LaGrace had many things, she enjoyed – Gardening, cooking and watching her favorite teams, the Aggies, the Cowboys, the Rangers and the Stars – she truly loved the time she spent traveling the world with Don. They went on countless cruises and tours together in the last 30+ years, her favorite trip being one in which they flew to Amsterdam and toured 11 European countries by riverboat over the next 3 weeks. She also had fond memories of cruising on the Queen Elizabeth 2 and the Queen Mary 2, both of which she adored for their elegance and opulence. The only time of year in which world travel was off limits was during college football season, when Don and LaGrace could be found attending each and every Texas A&M home football game.
“Memama” or “Granny”, as she was known to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was a kind and gentle person, who cared deeply for those fortunate enough to call her family or friend. She was a longtime member of Alpine Church of Christ in Longview, TX.
Funeral services for LaGrace are scheduled for Friday, July 13, 2018 at 10:00am at Alpine Church of Christ. All are welcome to attend to celebrate the life of this incredible wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister and friends. Pallbearers will include grandsons, Jon Barkman, Logan Thompson, Nick Barkman, Andrew Barkman, Will Barkman, and son-in-law Richard Scott. A time of visitation will be held on Thursday, from 5:30-7:00 pm at Rader Funeral Home of Longview. The family would like to give special thanks to everyone who gave them love and support during this difficult time.
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