Barbara Anne Mowrey

It is hard to write an obituary for someone like Barbara Anne Mowrey. The facts of her life are simple. She was born May 28, 1929, in Houston to Robert and Orpha Smallwood. She lived most of her life in Houston and graduated from San Jacinto High School in 1947. Following high school, she began working in the clerical world.

We can also tell you who preceded her in death: her husband of 56 years, Earle Howell Mowrey, as well as her older brothers, Bob and Ed Smallwood, and her parents. We can also list all those that she leaves behind: her sons Fred Schmidt (Marian), Ross Mowrey (Linda), Richard Mowrey (Cheryl), and daughter Sharon Roosa (Rob). Ten grandchildren, Melinda Schmidt, Christopher Schmidt (Kali), Rachel Metzler (Max), Andrew Mowrey (Hanna), Dylan Mowrey (Nickie), Will Roosa, Lauren Roosa, Logan Mowrey, Samuel Mowrey, and Connor Mowrey. Four great-grandchildren: Loni, Lucy, Graham, and George.

But those “facts” don’t tell us about the Anne we all know and love. We don’t hear about the unconditional love she showered upon her children. The facts don’t let us know she had the ability to always put others above herself. A few words on paper cannot capture the innate desire Anne had to always be a protector and guardian of those people that she loved. And unless you have been in a group with Anne, words cannot describe the grace that flowed from her soul.

There is so much more that can be written. We will never know the number of people she impacted or the number of lives that are a bit better off because their paths crossed with hers. What we do know is that Anne will be missed as a friend, Grandma, a Gagi, and a mom. We find peace in knowing that Anne is now resting in the arms of God - - surrounded by God’s peace, love and grace.