Barbara Quinby

Barbara was born May 16th, 1938 in Chillicothe, Texas. She was the daughter of William and Thelma Collins and was preceded in death by her brothers Freddy and Jerry Collins. In September 1959, she married her high school sweetheart, John Quinby, beginning a life together marked by steadfast love, resilience, laughter, and a commitment to serving others.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas, and went on to earn her Master’s in Education Administration from Texas Tech University. She served as both a teacher and principal. An educator at heart, Barbara believed deeply in the power of learning. She spent countless hours encouraging students, supporting teachers, and investing in the people around her with wisdom, honesty, and compassion. Whether through conversations around the kitchen table, or over a cup of coffee, Barbara had a way of making people feel heard, valued, and cared for. That love of learning continued well into retirement, when she found great joy traveling the world with her daughter and granddaughter whenever she could. She was always eager to experience something new and share those memories with the people she loved most.

She treasured time spent with family, reading, and sharing stories. She will be remembered for her quiet strength, thoughtful wisdom, intellect, humor, generous heart, unmistakable laugh, and the deep love she gave so freely to her family and friends.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, John Roy Quinby II, on December 1, 2025. Together, they built a life centered on faith, family, service, and unwavering devotion to one another.

Barbara is survived by her children, John Roy Quinby III and his wife, Kathy, and Allyson Fowler; her grandchildren, Amanda and her husband, Josh Griffith, Johnny Fowler, Katie and her husband, Will Wyatt, and Kaylyn and her husband, Josh Ramos; along with her nine great-grandchildren, all of whom were the joy of her life.

She was the heart of the family, and her presence will be deeply missed.

Funeral Service will be at the Sullivan Funeral Home in Vernon, Texas, May 16th at 1:00 p.m.