Barbara Ann Ewing

A memorial service for Barbara Napier Ewing, age 82, of Tyler will be held on Saturday, February 8 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 230 W. Rusk Street, in Tyler, with Rev. Dr. Stuart Baskin and parish associate Rev. Pamela Leach officiating. Arrangements are with Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mrs. Ewing passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2014. Barbara Ann Napier was born on October 21, 1931, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Walter and Edith Taylor Napier and spent her childhood in Memphis. She graduated from Messick High School and attended Drury College in Springfield, Missouri, where she was a member of Kappa Delta Social Sorority. She later attended Memphis State University and received her bachelor’s degree in Christian Education from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia, now incorporated with Union Presbyterian Seminary. Upon graduation she served as a Christian Education director at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee, and First Presbyterian Church in Lubbock, and later worked in adoption placement for the Texas Department of Child Welfare. In Lubbock she met Marshall Ewing; they were married in 1957 and enjoyed 56 years of married life. Marshall was a petroleum engineer, so they were transferred often and lived in New Mexico in Hobbs and Tatum; and in Texas in Andrews, Silsbee, Baytown, Beaumont, and, for the last 31 years, in Tyler. Being an only child, it was Barbara’s secret desire to have a large family. Her wish was granted with the births of five children, and she enjoyed being a full-time homemaker of a home filled with love, activity, and excitement. The family spent many happy summers traveling across the U.S. and Canada, first in a pop-up camper and later in a fifth-wheel RV. After the children were grown, Barbara and Marshall continued their love of traveling in their RV and trips abroad. Barbara was a lifelong Presbyterian and active in her church wherever she lived. In Tyler she was a member of First Presbyterian Church, an ordained Deacon, and active in the Women of the Church in which she served as a Moderator and received an Honorary Life Membership. She was an early leader in the Potter House Ministry. Barbara was a longtime member of the Newcomers Club of Tyler, and she served for several years on membership recruitment for the Community Concert Association. She had a passion for sewing and enjoyed working at a Stretch & Sew store in Beaumont for several years. She also enjoyed tole painting, playing the piano, reading, and all aspects of God’s glorious out-of-doors. Barbara is survived by her loving family; husband Marshall Ewing of Tyler,; children, David Ewing and wife Teri of Fredericksburg, Marsha Ann and Geoff Och and their children Stacy and Greg Och of Nacogdoches, Cynthia and Michael Brevell of Bullard, John Ewing of New York, NY., and Charles Ewing and partner James Spiller of Johnson City. Visitation will be at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy, Tyler, on Friday, February 7, 2014 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Memorials in memory of Barbara Ewing may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Tyler, or charity of your choice.

Barbara Ann Ewing

October 21, 1931 - February 4, 2014