Barbara Marie Guinn Tidwell was born September 27, 1935 to Goldie and Ralph Guinn in Kilgore, Texas. She was a fifth generation Texan. Barbara attended Kilgore Junior College (1955). She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1957. She received a Master's Degree from Southwest Texas State College in 1962.
In 1960, Dr. John Flowers, President of Southwest Texas State College asked Barbara to start a female dance team to be ambassadors who would represent the college and perform at football games. This group became known as The Strutters! The enormous legacy and reputation of Strutters could not have been imagined at that time.
Barbara remembered the first performance and was so proud to receive a standing ovation at an away game at Texas Lutheran College. The next weekend was the first home football Strutter performance and, once again, the Strutters were rewarded with a standing ovation. The audience had not seen anything like the Strutters. Barbara's team immediately became a sensation. The Strutters were invited at the request of Texas State's only United States President Alumni, Lyndon B. Johnson, to march in the inaugural parades of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.
The Strutters are one of Texas State University's unique traditions. Barbara made sure that the team represented the University with class and perfection. The resume of the Strutters continues to be extremely impressive. Strutters performed in China, Russia, England, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, Korea, Finland, Sweden, Ireland, Greece, Portugal, Mexico, and throughout the United States from New York to California. The Strutters performed 23 half-time shows for the Houston Oilers, several times for the Dallas Cowboys, and annually for the San Antonio Spurs. They also appeared in four movies. One of Barbara's proudest moments was when the Strutters were invited to perform in The Peoples Republic of China. The Strutters were the first American Dance Team to perform in China, and they received ovation after ovation. Throughout Barbara's 37-year tenure, the Strutters became internationally famous. She received honors from Presidents, Governors, Senators, and many others.
Barbara was also recognized by her peers as a leader in the dance team world. She was one of the inaugural inductees into the Hall of Fame for Texas Dance Educators' Association in 1995. Dance Team Directors of America recognized Barbara as America's Drill Team Legend in 1997.
Barbara always felt so blessed to be able to do what she loved! She created Halftime USA, a dance camp and competition company in 1965. She traveled across the United States teaching dance to high school students. She worked with over 4000 students throughout her career. Barbara used Halftime USA to help fund the needs of Strutters. She also selected outstanding high school dancers from Halftime USA camp to perform outside of the United States. Halftime USA was featured with high school dancers from across the United States on the Tonight in Hong Kong television show in 1987. Halftime USA provided opportunities for students to perform in places they might not have the opportunity to visit otherwise.
In 1979, Barbara organized Junior Strutters, an organization of 5 to 12-year-old girls. They attended Junior Strutter Summer Camp and periodically performed at Southwest Texas State University! These little girls were very special to her heart. Many grew up to become Texas State Strutters!!
Since her retirement, Barbara continued to be instrumental in the growth of Strutter alumni group, Strutters Always. She continued to work on Strutter reunions; over 700 Strutters attended the 60th Anniversary of Strutters. Barbara remained dedicated to Strutters and taught manners and etiquette workshops to the team up until the Covid pandemic. She wanted all Strutters to be successful in life, and she encouraged Strutters to set life and career goals.
Barbara married Dr. James Howard Tidwell in 1962. They made their home in San Marcos, Texas. In 1967, James Howard Tidwell II was born.
Barbara was proceeded in death by her parents, Goldie and Ralph Guinn, two brothers, Tom Howard Guinn and Grady Guinn, and her husband, Dr. James Howard Tidwell. She is survived by her son, James Howard Tidwell II.
Services will be held Sunday, June 5, 2022 at 2:30 P.M. at First Baptist Church, 325 W McCarty Lane, San Marcos, TX. Live stream of church service will be available on the First Baptist Church Facebook page beginning at approximately 2:20PM.
https://www.facebook.com/firstbaptistchurchsanmarcos/
A private family graveside service will follow. Immediately following the service, all are welcome to share memories of Barbara at The Linda Gregg Fields Strutters' Gallery to end at 6:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, please consider providing a donation to the Barbara Tidwell Scholarship Endowment at Texas State University.
Make Checks payable to TXST Development Foundation
Memo line:
Barbara Tidwell Scholarship Endowment
Mailing Address:
Texas State University
Attn: Advancement Services, JCK-480
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666
Online contributions: Give to Strutters - Texas State University (txstate.edu)
In 1960, Dr. John Flowers, President of Southwest Texas State College asked Barbara to start a female dance team to be ambassadors who would represent the college and perform at football games. This group became known as The Strutters! The enormous legacy and reputation of Strutters could not have been imagined at that time.
Barbara remembered the first performance and was so proud to receive a standing ovation at an away game at Texas Lutheran College. The next weekend was the first home football Strutter performance and, once again, the Strutters were rewarded with a standing ovation. The audience had not seen anything like the Strutters. Barbara's team immediately became a sensation. The Strutters were invited at the request of Texas State's only United States President Alumni, Lyndon B. Johnson, to march in the inaugural parades of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.
The Strutters are one of Texas State University's unique traditions. Barbara made sure that the team represented the University with class and perfection. The resume of the Strutters continues to be extremely impressive. Strutters performed in China, Russia, England, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, Korea, Finland, Sweden, Ireland, Greece, Portugal, Mexico, and throughout the United States from New York to California. The Strutters performed 23 half-time shows for the Houston Oilers, several times for the Dallas Cowboys, and annually for the San Antonio Spurs. They also appeared in four movies. One of Barbara's proudest moments was when the Strutters were invited to perform in The Peoples Republic of China. The Strutters were the first American Dance Team to perform in China, and they received ovation after ovation. Throughout Barbara's 37-year tenure, the Strutters became internationally famous. She received honors from Presidents, Governors, Senators, and many others.
Barbara was also recognized by her peers as a leader in the dance team world. She was one of the inaugural inductees into the Hall of Fame for Texas Dance Educators' Association in 1995. Dance Team Directors of America recognized Barbara as America's Drill Team Legend in 1997.
Barbara always felt so blessed to be able to do what she loved! She created Halftime USA, a dance camp and competition company in 1965. She traveled across the United States teaching dance to high school students. She worked with over 4000 students throughout her career. Barbara used Halftime USA to help fund the needs of Strutters. She also selected outstanding high school dancers from Halftime USA camp to perform outside of the United States. Halftime USA was featured with high school dancers from across the United States on the Tonight in Hong Kong television show in 1987. Halftime USA provided opportunities for students to perform in places they might not have the opportunity to visit otherwise.
In 1979, Barbara organized Junior Strutters, an organization of 5 to 12-year-old girls. They attended Junior Strutter Summer Camp and periodically performed at Southwest Texas State University! These little girls were very special to her heart. Many grew up to become Texas State Strutters!!
Since her retirement, Barbara continued to be instrumental in the growth of Strutter alumni group, Strutters Always. She continued to work on Strutter reunions; over 700 Strutters attended the 60th Anniversary of Strutters. Barbara remained dedicated to Strutters and taught manners and etiquette workshops to the team up until the Covid pandemic. She wanted all Strutters to be successful in life, and she encouraged Strutters to set life and career goals.
Barbara married Dr. James Howard Tidwell in 1962. They made their home in San Marcos, Texas. In 1967, James Howard Tidwell II was born.
Barbara was proceeded in death by her parents, Goldie and Ralph Guinn, two brothers, Tom Howard Guinn and Grady Guinn, and her husband, Dr. James Howard Tidwell. She is survived by her son, James Howard Tidwell II.
Services will be held Sunday, June 5, 2022 at 2:30 P.M. at First Baptist Church, 325 W McCarty Lane, San Marcos, TX. Live stream of church service will be available on the First Baptist Church Facebook page beginning at approximately 2:20PM.
https://www.facebook.com/firstbaptistchurchsanmarcos/
A private family graveside service will follow. Immediately following the service, all are welcome to share memories of Barbara at The Linda Gregg Fields Strutters' Gallery to end at 6:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, please consider providing a donation to the Barbara Tidwell Scholarship Endowment at Texas State University.
Make Checks payable to TXST Development Foundation
Memo line:
Barbara Tidwell Scholarship Endowment
Mailing Address:
Texas State University
Attn: Advancement Services, JCK-480
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666
Online contributions: Give to Strutters - Texas State University (txstate.edu)
Barbara Marie Guinn Tidwell was born September 27, 1935 to Goldie and Ralph Guinn in Kilgore, Texas. She was a fifth generation Texan. Barbara attended Kilgore Junior College (1955). She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1957. She received a Master's Degree from Southwest Texas State College in 1962.
In 1960, Dr. John Flowers, President of Southwest Texas State College asked Barbara to start a female dance team to be ambassadors who would represent the college and perform at football games. This group became known as The Strutters! The enormous legacy and reputation of Strutters could not have been imagined at that time.
Barbara remembered the first performance and was so proud to receive a standing ovation at an away game at Texas Lutheran College. The next weekend was the first home football Strutter performance and, once again, the Strutters were rewarded with a standing ovation. The audience had not seen anything like the Strutters. Barbara's team immediately became a sensation. The Strutters were invited at the request of Texas State's only United States President Alumni, Lyndon B. Johnson, to march in the inaugural parades of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.
The Strutters are one of Texas State University's unique traditions. Barbara made sure that the team represented the University with class and perfection. The resume of the Strutters continues to be extremely impressive. Strutters performed in China, Russia, England, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, Korea, Finland, Sweden, Ireland, Greece, Portugal, Mexico, and throughout the United States from New York to California. The Strutters performed 23 half-time shows for the Houston Oilers, several times for the Dallas Cowboys, and annually for the San Antonio Spurs. They also appeared in four movies. One of Barbara's proudest moments was when the Strutters were invited to perform in The Peoples Republic of China. The Strutters were the first American Dance Team to perform in China, and they received ovation after ovation. Throughout Barbara's 37-year tenure, the Strutters became internationally famous. She received honors from Presidents, Governors, Senators, and many others.
Barbara was also recognized by her peers as a leader in the dance team world. She was one of the inaugural inductees into the Hall of Fame for Texas Dance Educators' Association in 1995. Dance Team Directors of America recognized Barbara as America's Drill Team Legend in 1997.
Barbara always felt so blessed to be able to do what she loved! She created Halftime USA, a dance camp and competition company in 1965. She traveled across the United States teaching dance to high school students. She worked with over 4000 students throughout her career. Barbara used Halftime USA to help fund the needs of Strutters. She also selected outstanding high school dancers from Halftime USA camp to perform outside of the United States. Halftime USA was featured with high school dancers from across the United States on the Tonight in Hong Kong television show in 1987. Halftime USA provided opportunities for students to perform in places they might not have the opportunity to visit otherwise.
In 1979, Barbara organized Junior Strutters, an organization of 5 to 12-year-old girls. They attended Junior Strutter Summer Camp and periodically performed at Southwest Texas State University! These little girls were very special to her heart. Many grew up to become Texas State Strutters!!
Since her retirement, Barbara continued to be instrumental in the growth of Strutter alumni group, Strutters Always. She continued to work on Strutter reunions; over 700 Strutters attended the 60th Anniversary of Strutters. Barbara remained dedicated to Strutters and taught manners and etiquette workshops to the team up until the Covid pandemic. She wanted all Strutters to be successful in life, and she encouraged Strutters to set life and career goals.
Barbara married Dr. James Howard Tidwell in 1962. They made their home in San Marcos, Texas. In 1967, James Howard Tidwell II was born.
Barbara was proceeded in death by her parents, Goldie and Ralph Guinn, two brothers, Tom Howard Guinn and Grady Guinn, and her husband, Dr. James Howard Tidwell. She is survived by her son, James Howard Tidwell II.
Services will be held Sunday, June 5, 2022 at 2:30 P.M. at First Baptist Church, 325 W McCarty Lane, San Marcos, TX. Live stream of church service will be available on the First Baptist Church Facebook page beginning at approximately 2:20PM.
https://www.facebook.com/firstbaptistchurchsanmarcos/
A private family graveside service will follow. Immediately following the service, all are welcome to share memories of Barbara at The Linda Gregg Fields Strutters' Gallery to end at 6:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, please consider providing a donation to the Barbara Tidwell Scholarship Endowment at Texas State University.
Make Checks payable to TXST Development Foundation
Memo line:
Barbara Tidwell Scholarship Endowment
Mailing Address:
Texas State University
Attn: Advancement Services, JCK-480
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666
Online contributions: Give to Strutters - Texas State University (txstate.edu)
In 1960, Dr. John Flowers, President of Southwest Texas State College asked Barbara to start a female dance team to be ambassadors who would represent the college and perform at football games. This group became known as The Strutters! The enormous legacy and reputation of Strutters could not have been imagined at that time.
Barbara remembered the first performance and was so proud to receive a standing ovation at an away game at Texas Lutheran College. The next weekend was the first home football Strutter performance and, once again, the Strutters were rewarded with a standing ovation. The audience had not seen anything like the Strutters. Barbara's team immediately became a sensation. The Strutters were invited at the request of Texas State's only United States President Alumni, Lyndon B. Johnson, to march in the inaugural parades of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.
The Strutters are one of Texas State University's unique traditions. Barbara made sure that the team represented the University with class and perfection. The resume of the Strutters continues to be extremely impressive. Strutters performed in China, Russia, England, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, Korea, Finland, Sweden, Ireland, Greece, Portugal, Mexico, and throughout the United States from New York to California. The Strutters performed 23 half-time shows for the Houston Oilers, several times for the Dallas Cowboys, and annually for the San Antonio Spurs. They also appeared in four movies. One of Barbara's proudest moments was when the Strutters were invited to perform in The Peoples Republic of China. The Strutters were the first American Dance Team to perform in China, and they received ovation after ovation. Throughout Barbara's 37-year tenure, the Strutters became internationally famous. She received honors from Presidents, Governors, Senators, and many others.
Barbara was also recognized by her peers as a leader in the dance team world. She was one of the inaugural inductees into the Hall of Fame for Texas Dance Educators' Association in 1995. Dance Team Directors of America recognized Barbara as America's Drill Team Legend in 1997.
Barbara always felt so blessed to be able to do what she loved! She created Halftime USA, a dance camp and competition company in 1965. She traveled across the United States teaching dance to high school students. She worked with over 4000 students throughout her career. Barbara used Halftime USA to help fund the needs of Strutters. She also selected outstanding high school dancers from Halftime USA camp to perform outside of the United States. Halftime USA was featured with high school dancers from across the United States on the Tonight in Hong Kong television show in 1987. Halftime USA provided opportunities for students to perform in places they might not have the opportunity to visit otherwise.
In 1979, Barbara organized Junior Strutters, an organization of 5 to 12-year-old girls. They attended Junior Strutter Summer Camp and periodically performed at Southwest Texas State University! These little girls were very special to her heart. Many grew up to become Texas State Strutters!!
Since her retirement, Barbara continued to be instrumental in the growth of Strutter alumni group, Strutters Always. She continued to work on Strutter reunions; over 700 Strutters attended the 60th Anniversary of Strutters. Barbara remained dedicated to Strutters and taught manners and etiquette workshops to the team up until the Covid pandemic. She wanted all Strutters to be successful in life, and she encouraged Strutters to set life and career goals.
Barbara married Dr. James Howard Tidwell in 1962. They made their home in San Marcos, Texas. In 1967, James Howard Tidwell II was born.
Barbara was proceeded in death by her parents, Goldie and Ralph Guinn, two brothers, Tom Howard Guinn and Grady Guinn, and her husband, Dr. James Howard Tidwell. She is survived by her son, James Howard Tidwell II.
Services will be held Sunday, June 5, 2022 at 2:30 P.M. at First Baptist Church, 325 W McCarty Lane, San Marcos, TX. Live stream of church service will be available on the First Baptist Church Facebook page beginning at approximately 2:20PM.
https://www.facebook.com/firstbaptistchurchsanmarcos/
A private family graveside service will follow. Immediately following the service, all are welcome to share memories of Barbara at The Linda Gregg Fields Strutters' Gallery to end at 6:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, please consider providing a donation to the Barbara Tidwell Scholarship Endowment at Texas State University.
Make Checks payable to TXST Development Foundation
Memo line:
Barbara Tidwell Scholarship Endowment
Mailing Address:
Texas State University
Attn: Advancement Services, JCK-480
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666
Online contributions: Give to Strutters - Texas State University (txstate.edu)
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