Barbara Dawn (Potts) Parks

Barbara Dawn (Potts) Parks, 76, died July 22, 2011. She was born in Bertram on April 22, 1935, to Roy and Mable Potts.

She was the youngest child with brothers Robert Ater, Robert Roy, both of whom she never met as they died as babies, and Glen, Jack and Ben; and three sisters Berta, Pauline and Betty.

She was raised in the Bertram/Oatmeal area and graduated from Bertram High School in 1952. She met her husband of 60 years, Charley, on a blind date. He was in the Air Force, stationed at Bergstrom Air Force Base. They were married six weeks later and had three children.

Early in their marriage, the couple lived in Del Rio. Later, they moved to San Antonio, where she attended San Antonio College and received a teaching certificate to instruct in a Montessori school. She then took a secretary position at the elementary school her children attended. She was loved and respected by all whose lives she touched while working in the school system.

While living in Schertz, she was an avid member of the Schertz Chamber of Commerce and a leading figure in her community. She loved kids and was young-at-heart herself, starting a twirling school that taught children the fine techniques of twirling and marching. She taught twirling for many years while in Schertz.

The family moved to Cedar Park in 1971 so she could be closer to her parents and help take care of her ailing father. She went to work at Texas Instruments shortly after the move and was encouraged to open another twirling school in Liberty Hill. She got hurt while teaching a twirling class, and that incident seemed to be the beginning of her battle to keep and maintain good health.

She still remained active in her children’s lives, helping them to grow and mature into adulthood. She always was there to watch her grandchildren, who she loved and adored. She had a kind word for anyone she met more than once — ever the grandmother to anyone who needed one. She would say she had several sons and daughters, many whom she considered “honorary” children and grandchildren.

In the last several years of her life, she fought one illness after another. She always kept a positive attitude about life — ever a Christian — being thankful for her life and family. She considered every day a blessing and was full of God’s grace as a daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother.

In addition to her husband, survivors include son Charles Andrew Parks, his wife Nancy and their children Whitney Jeanne Parks and Andrew Robert Parks; daughter Sharon Kay Barnes, her husband Guy, and their children Dawn Marie Murphy and her husband Ross and Guy Seward Barnes IV, his wife Brenda and their son Guy V; son Basil Lyn Parks Sr., his wife Jena and their children Basil “Junior” Lyn Parks Jr. and Tiffany Andreice Georgiefski and her husband Robert; sister Pauline Hilderbrand; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members.

Visitation was July 25 at the Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, 306 Texas 29 East in Burnet, (512) 756-2222. A funeral was July 26 at the funeral home. Interment followed at Bear Creek Cemetery in Bertram.

Condolences may be offered at www.clementswilcoxburnet.com.