Barbara Jean (Swanson) Wilkes, of Austin, passed away on May 31, 2023. She was born in 1933 in Port Arthur, Texas to Joseph Lewis and Jessie "Jay" Swanson. Barbara grew up in a loving home, enjoying her close relationships with her neighborhood friends and classmates. She was actively involved in the music programs at Thomas Jefferson High School, where she loved singing in the choir and playing clarinet in the band. During this time, she met the love of her life Earl Wilkes. After graduating from high school, Barbara attended business classes at Lamar State College. She worked for a while thereafter, but love called, and Earl proposed.
Barbara and Earl married on January 1, 1953, spending 61 years together, sharing a strong love of family and faith. They were blessed with four children: Clay, Glen, Linda, and Dianne. In 1964, the family moved to Austin, Texas due to Earl's new position with the Texas National Guard. Barbara continued to be a stay-at-home mom and was also involved in the choir at St Louis Catholic Church and St John Neumann Catholic Church.
As their children grew older, Barbara was able to become more actively involved in volunteering and taking on various positions in the working world. Barbara volunteered for Lanier, Anderson, and Westlake High School Band Parents Associations. She also volunteered at Seton Main Hospital for over 20 years, as well as the Cosmopolitan International Club. Barbara began her work career at Lammes Candies, followed by a position as a bookkeeper for Frost Brothers in Northcross Mall. She ultimately ended up working at Capital of Texas Travel, where she and Earl were part owners.
After Earl and Barbara retired, they began to travel to many exciting destinations, including western and northern Europe, Hawaii, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, and various islands. They loved to take cruises and were able to travel throughout the Caribbean and the Panama Canal. A very memorable family cruise brought all of the family together where Barbara and Earl took part in a very humorous game contest on stage.
Casinos became a favorite venue for Barbara, where she grew increasingly attached to the slots. Over time, family referred to her as "Barbara Jean the Slot Machine". An annual BBQ sauce contest and celebration of Barbara's birthday became a fun and cherished event.
Over the decades, daily life often included episodes of "As the World Turns", "Guiding Light", and "The Young and the Restless". Time was well spent talking over story lines and predictions. Long live the Abbots and the Newmans!
Barbara spent her final years living at Brookdale Westlake Hills. She made many friends within the residential community and with the associates. Her children would like to extend their warmest thanks to all the associates who lovingly gave support and friendship to both her and Earl throughout the years. Additional thanks to Brookdale/St David's Hospice associates, especially to Nurse Allie, for all the loving care in the last year.
Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Earl Wilkes, son Glen Wilkes, brother Joseph Swanson, and her parents Joseph and Jessie Swanson. In addition, she is survived by her children, Clay Wilkes (wife Karen), Linda Jefferson (husband John), and Dianne Linn (husband Michael). Grandchildren include Dr. John Jefferson (wife Chrissy), Laura Heinen (husband Ian), Nathan Wilkes (wife Brittany), Olivia Montgomery (husband Chris), Kimberly Wilkes (fiancé Chris), and Ashley Forehand (Brandon). Great grandchildren include John, Presley, Abigail, Avery, Carter, and Logan.
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Barbara and Earl married on January 1, 1953, spending 61 years together, sharing a strong love of family and faith. They were blessed with four children: Clay, Glen, Linda, and Dianne. In 1964, the family moved to Austin, Texas due to Earl's new position with the Texas National Guard. Barbara continued to be a stay-at-home mom and was also involved in the choir at St Louis Catholic Church and St John Neumann Catholic Church.
As their children grew older, Barbara was able to become more actively involved in volunteering and taking on various positions in the working world. Barbara volunteered for Lanier, Anderson, and Westlake High School Band Parents Associations. She also volunteered at Seton Main Hospital for over 20 years, as well as the Cosmopolitan International Club. Barbara began her work career at Lammes Candies, followed by a position as a bookkeeper for Frost Brothers in Northcross Mall. She ultimately ended up working at Capital of Texas Travel, where she and Earl were part owners.
After Earl and Barbara retired, they began to travel to many exciting destinations, including western and northern Europe, Hawaii, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, and various islands. They loved to take cruises and were able to travel throughout the Caribbean and the Panama Canal. A very memorable family cruise brought all of the family together where Barbara and Earl took part in a very humorous game contest on stage.
Casinos became a favorite venue for Barbara, where she grew increasingly attached to the slots. Over time, family referred to her as "Barbara Jean the Slot Machine". An annual BBQ sauce contest and celebration of Barbara's birthday became a fun and cherished event.
Over the decades, daily life often included episodes of "As the World Turns", "Guiding Light", and "The Young and the Restless". Time was well spent talking over story lines and predictions. Long live the Abbots and the Newmans!
Barbara spent her final years living at Brookdale Westlake Hills. She made many friends within the residential community and with the associates. Her children would like to extend their warmest thanks to all the associates who lovingly gave support and friendship to both her and Earl throughout the years. Additional thanks to Brookdale/St David's Hospice associates, especially to Nurse Allie, for all the loving care in the last year.
Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Earl Wilkes, son Glen Wilkes, brother Joseph Swanson, and her parents Joseph and Jessie Swanson. In addition, she is survived by her children, Clay Wilkes (wife Karen), Linda Jefferson (husband John), and Dianne Linn (husband Michael). Grandchildren include Dr. John Jefferson (wife Chrissy), Laura Heinen (husband Ian), Nathan Wilkes (wife Brittany), Olivia Montgomery (husband Chris), Kimberly Wilkes (fiancé Chris), and Ashley Forehand (Brandon). Great grandchildren include John, Presley, Abigail, Avery, Carter, and Logan.
Cook-Walden Funeral is
Barbara Jean (Swanson) Wilkes, of Austin, passed away on May 31, 2023. She was born in 1933 in Port Arthur, Texas to Joseph Lewis and Jessie "Jay" Swanson. Barbara grew up in a loving home, enjoying her close relationships with her neighborhood friends and classmates. She was actively involved in the music programs at Thomas Jefferson High School, where she loved singing in the choir and playing clarinet in the band. During this time, she met the love of her life Earl Wilkes. After graduating from high school, Barbara attended business classes at Lamar State College. She worked for a while thereafter, but love called, and Earl proposed.
Barbara and Earl married on January 1, 1953, spending 61 years together, sharing a strong love of family and faith. They were blessed with four children: Clay, Glen, Linda, and Dianne. In 1964, the family moved to Austin, Texas due to Earl's new position with the Texas National Guard. Barbara continued to be a stay-at-home mom and was also involved in the choir at St Louis Catholic Church and St John Neumann Catholic Church.
As their children grew older, Barbara was able to become more actively involved in volunteering and taking on various positions in the working world. Barbara volunteered for Lanier, Anderson, and Westlake High School Band Parents Associations. She also volunteered at Seton Main Hospital for over 20 years, as well as the Cosmopolitan International Club. Barbara began her work career at Lammes Candies, followed by a position as a bookkeeper for Frost Brothers in Northcross Mall. She ultimately ended up working at Capital of Texas Travel, where she and Earl were part owners.
After Earl and Barbara retired, they began to travel to many exciting destinations, including western and northern Europe, Hawaii, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, and various islands. They loved to take cruises and were able to travel throughout the Caribbean and the Panama Canal. A very memorable family cruise brought all of the family together where Barbara and Earl took part in a very humorous game contest on stage.
Casinos became a favorite venue for Barbara, where she grew increasingly attached to the slots. Over time, family referred to her as "Barbara Jean the Slot Machine". An annual BBQ sauce contest and celebration of Barbara's birthday became a fun and cherished event.
Over the decades, daily life often included episodes of "As the World Turns", "Guiding Light", and "The Young and the Restless". Time was well spent talking over story lines and predictions. Long live the Abbots and the Newmans!
Barbara spent her final years living at Brookdale Westlake Hills. She made many friends within the residential community and with the associates. Her children would like to extend their warmest thanks to all the associates who lovingly gave support and friendship to both her and Earl throughout the years. Additional thanks to Brookdale/St David's Hospice associates, especially to Nurse Allie, for all the loving care in the last year.
Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Earl Wilkes, son Glen Wilkes, brother Joseph Swanson, and her parents Joseph and Jessie Swanson. In addition, she is survived by her children, Clay Wilkes (wife Karen), Linda Jefferson (husband John), and Dianne Linn (husband Michael). Grandchildren include Dr. John Jefferson (wife Chrissy), Laura Heinen (husband Ian), Nathan Wilkes (wife Brittany), Olivia Montgomery (husband Chris), Kimberly Wilkes (fiancé Chris), and Ashley Forehand (Brandon). Great grandchildren include John, Presley, Abigail, Avery, Carter, and Logan.
Cook-Walden Funeral is
Barbara and Earl married on January 1, 1953, spending 61 years together, sharing a strong love of family and faith. They were blessed with four children: Clay, Glen, Linda, and Dianne. In 1964, the family moved to Austin, Texas due to Earl's new position with the Texas National Guard. Barbara continued to be a stay-at-home mom and was also involved in the choir at St Louis Catholic Church and St John Neumann Catholic Church.
As their children grew older, Barbara was able to become more actively involved in volunteering and taking on various positions in the working world. Barbara volunteered for Lanier, Anderson, and Westlake High School Band Parents Associations. She also volunteered at Seton Main Hospital for over 20 years, as well as the Cosmopolitan International Club. Barbara began her work career at Lammes Candies, followed by a position as a bookkeeper for Frost Brothers in Northcross Mall. She ultimately ended up working at Capital of Texas Travel, where she and Earl were part owners.
After Earl and Barbara retired, they began to travel to many exciting destinations, including western and northern Europe, Hawaii, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, and various islands. They loved to take cruises and were able to travel throughout the Caribbean and the Panama Canal. A very memorable family cruise brought all of the family together where Barbara and Earl took part in a very humorous game contest on stage.
Casinos became a favorite venue for Barbara, where she grew increasingly attached to the slots. Over time, family referred to her as "Barbara Jean the Slot Machine". An annual BBQ sauce contest and celebration of Barbara's birthday became a fun and cherished event.
Over the decades, daily life often included episodes of "As the World Turns", "Guiding Light", and "The Young and the Restless". Time was well spent talking over story lines and predictions. Long live the Abbots and the Newmans!
Barbara spent her final years living at Brookdale Westlake Hills. She made many friends within the residential community and with the associates. Her children would like to extend their warmest thanks to all the associates who lovingly gave support and friendship to both her and Earl throughout the years. Additional thanks to Brookdale/St David's Hospice associates, especially to Nurse Allie, for all the loving care in the last year.
Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Earl Wilkes, son Glen Wilkes, brother Joseph Swanson, and her parents Joseph and Jessie Swanson. In addition, she is survived by her children, Clay Wilkes (wife Karen), Linda Jefferson (husband John), and Dianne Linn (husband Michael). Grandchildren include Dr. John Jefferson (wife Chrissy), Laura Heinen (husband Ian), Nathan Wilkes (wife Brittany), Olivia Montgomery (husband Chris), Kimberly Wilkes (fiancé Chris), and Ashley Forehand (Brandon). Great grandchildren include John, Presley, Abigail, Avery, Carter, and Logan.
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