Barbara Ann Lawrence Obituary
On Thursday, December 14, 2023, Barbara Ann Lawrence of Tuscola, formerly of Baird, went to be with her Lord and Savior, beloved son James Hopkins and husband BJ Lawrence at the age of 76.
Barbara was born October 4, 1947 in Odessa to John (Scoopy) Alonzo Bruce and Roma Gay McWilliams Bruce. Barbara Ann was named by her dad after the nurse that took care of him during World War II. She graduated from Baird High School in 1965 and loved her Baird Bears. She married BJ Lawrence September 25, 1987. The two loved music, going dancing and travelling, especially to Las Vegas and Shreveport, Louisiana. She and BJ were baptized at the Clyde Church of Christ on Easter Sunday 2010.
Barbara was the manager of Allsup's Convenience Store for many years. She was a Med Tech at Baird Nursing and worked at the Baird Hospital, which she loved. She found her calling when they moved to Waxahachie, and she began doing home health care for the elderly.
She was a natural born caregiver with people, but animals were her passion. She developed a passion for animals as a young girl with her sister Linda (Joy Lynn) and cousin Charlotte Dugan at the Dugan Ranch, where they spent many years riding horses and making lifelong memories. She loved riding horses and taking care of her cattle (all of which had names), her dogs and many cats. She raised two baby deer that had lost their mother. People would call her if they were having problems with their animals, and she would drop what she was doing to go. The family called her the "animal whisperer" because animals would just calm down around her.
She loved having friends and family over for get-togethers and holidays, and when her grandbabies (Timmy, Jordan and Heidi) would come stay with her out at the ranch and help feed the animals and play.
She enjoyed shooting guns and target shooting. She once shot a hole in a quarter at a very long distance, and always kept that quarter.
Barbara had many life-long friends that she loved dearly and will be missed so much by her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband BJ Lawrence, son James Hopkins and sister Lisa McCarty.
Survivors include her daughter Tina Sutphen and partner Brad Rister of Tuscola; grandchildren Tim Burns and wife Madison (Rory and Piper) of George West, Texas; Jordan Burns of Denver, Colorado; and Heidi Heslep and husband Ryan (Harris, Holt and Hank); sister Joy Lynn Boggs and husband Tim; brother Billy Davis and wife Cathy of Silver City, NM; nieces Angela Boggs (Katie, Anthony and Angelica) of North Richland Hills, and Brenda Enjady James and husband Jason (Christian, Dylan and Avalyn) of Abilene; nephew Michael McCarty of Abilene; aunt Willie Bell Laake of Abilene; cousins Charlotte Dugan, Tony Dugan and Jackie Mendez; and many more nieces, nephews and cousins.
A graveside memorial will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, December 23, 2023, at Ross Cemetery in Baird, with David Peterson officiating. A reception will follow at the Baird Activity Center (Light Plant), where people can share stories and visit.
The family suggests memorials to St Jude Children's Hospital and Shriner's Children's Hospital.
