Bobby Jean Barbare Thomson

Bobby Jean Barbare Thomson of Austin, Texas, gently passed away on Friday, October 15th, 2021. Born in Greenville, South Carolina on August 22, 1939, Bobby was the daughter of the late Cleveland and Lena Barbare of Lafayette, Georgia.

After graduating high school, Bobby moved to New York City and joined the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). It was an exciting time for Bobby, who traveled while serving and lived in Munich, Germany for some time. While working on base in South Carolina, Bobby met Phillip Thomson, MD. A Captain in the Army and also one of the doctors on staff, Phillip caught Bobby’s attention and they both were smitten. Bobby would leave the Women’s Army Corps and move to Austin, Texas to marry Phillip. They had one daughter, Lara Lea Thomson, in 1966. Although Bobby and Phillip divorced in the early 1990’s, there was a continued love and respect between them.

In the late 1960’s, Bobby attended Concordia College, where she excelled at business and English literature. She was a popular coed and was often seen riding her motorcycle to and from campus. Bobby loved to entertain and was a fantastic cook. She and Phillip loved nothing more than to host football parties on the University of Texas gamedays. As well, they cheered for Arkansas and for Georgia Tech. Bobby enjoyed sports, especially tennis, and made lifelong friends through playing. When she turned 50, Bobby finally got her ‘dream car,’ a 944 Porsche, and she drove it every chance she got. She had a small apartment building that she loved to maintain and rent to the UT crowd - she had a special fondness for graduate students and had fun getting to know them. Bobby also found joy in helping others through her work with the Texas Federation of Women, Austin Medical Auxiliary, Austin Women's Club, MD Anderson, Women’s Symphony League and numerous other non-profit organizations.

Bobby leaves a legacy of friendship and kindness. Bobby is survived by her daughter, Lara Lea Thomson and son-in-law, Peter B. Whitfill of Austin, TX; her sister, Sue Barbare, her brother, Vernon Barbare, and many nieces and nephews. Bobby is preceded by her parents and by her siblings: Joyce, Freddie, Mike, Buck, Harold and Jeff. Special thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at Seton Hospital for their care and compassion; it has meant so much.

Visitation will be Wednesday, October 20th, from 7:00 - 8:30 pm at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, Texas. Funeral service is Thursday, October 21st at 1:30 pm. Honorary pallbearers are: Vernon Barbare, Glen Coleman, Dillon Konvincka and Erik Konvincka. Burial Services will follow at Austin Memorial Park 2800 Hancock Dr. Austin, Texas 78731.

In lieu of flowers, Bobby would have loved for donations to be made to The Austin Humane Society, or to an animal shelter of your choice.