Barbara McNiel Bouldin, 74, passed away at her home in Bay City, Texas on Sunday, December 6, 2009.

She was born July 1, 1935 in Clay, Texas, the daughter of Roland and Joella (Thomas) McNiel.

She attended primary school in Chappell Hill and graduated from Brenham High School in June 1952. She then furthered her education at Temple Junior College and nursing school at Scott and White Hospital, successfully completing requirements as a registered nurse in June 1955. She worked as a nurse for many years in various locations including Milroy Hospital in Brenham, the State Tuberculosis Hospital in San Antonio, Matagorda General Hospital in Bay City, and Mainland Hospital in Texas City.

Barbara married USAF Staff Sergeant John William Bouldin in Waller, Texas on December 22, 1956. John's military career moved them many times with assignments in San Antonio, Abilene, Denver, Colorado; Omaha, Nebraska; and Shreveport, Louisiana. She was the motivating force behind John's decision to enter Officers' Candidate School and was very proud to pin his Second Lieutenant bars on his uniform jacket in 1960. In 1967-68, she "kept the home fires burning" with her three young daughters while her husband served in the Vietnam War in Saigon. After their fourth daughter arrived, the Bouldin family was transferred to Adana, Turkey and a year later to Athens, Greece. It was at this time that John and Barbara decided that it was time to retire from the military and settled in La Grange, Texas in May 1972.

During the seven years they lived in La Grange, Barbara managed the American Muffler Shop while John operated other muffler shop locations in southeast Texas. It was during this time that Barbara was baptized, confirmed, and received her First Holy Communion at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She and John also had their weddings vows convalidated by Father Harry Mazurkiewicz. They were both active in the congregation and supported Sacred Heart School.

Business required the Bouldins to move to Bay City in 1979. It was at this time she began her career in nursing once again. An interest in Dalhart Windberg's art led to a joint venture with her daughter Laura Bouldin Karlman in opening a local frame gallery.

Barbara, affectionately known as Nana to her grandchildren, was a very selfless and loving person. Her family was the most important thing in her life. In 2000, after both she and John retired from their jobs she went on to play a very big role in nurturing two of her grandchildren after the loss of her daughter, Laura, to leukemia in 2000. She was also a very faithful companion to her husband of almost 53 years and took pride in the loving care she gave him as he battled his own health issues.

Barbara always seemed to have a hobby whether it was crafting and painting birdhouses and her ceramic Santa Clauses or making beaded bracelets and rosaries. She loved watching "All My Children" with her husband and completing her daily crossword puzzles, which she continued to enjoy till the very end.

Barbara is survived by her husband, USAF Ret. Maj. John W. Bouldin of Bay City, her daughters and son-in-laws, Diana and Michael Fitzpatrick of La Grange, Cindy and Gregg Tomek of Bay City, and daughter Joanna "Joey" Bouldin of Bay City. Grandchildren, Megan Fitzpatrick Meneses and husband USAF Staff Sergeant Sergio A. Meneses, Jr. of Honolulu, Hawaii, John W. Bouldin II of Corpus Christi, Kyle Tomek, Brynn Fitzpatrick, and Travis Tomek, all of College Station, Matthew Fitzpatrick of La Grange, Brandon Tomek of Bay City and Katie Karlman of Seabrook. Also surviving are brother and sisters-in-law Ray and Nancy McNiel and Priscilla McNiel, nieces Karen Hobson, Janet Farris and Marie Patrick, and nephews Ron and Michael McNiel.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter, Laura Ann Karlman, brother Ronald Dawson McNiel, mother-in-law Noelie Schuhmacher Bouldin, and sister-in-law Barbara Carol Farris.

Visitation will be held on Monday, December 7 beginning at 12:00 P.M. at Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home. A rosary will be recited by Rev. Fr. Joseph Varickamackal on Tuesday, December 8 beginning at 1:30 P.M. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, December 8 at Sacred Hear Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Joseph Varcikamackal and Re. Fr. Harry Mazurkiewicz officiating. Burial will follow at Rutersville Cemetary.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home in La Grange, Texas.


Source: Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home, La Grange, Texas