Barbara Jean Starling Thomas

Barbara Jean Starling Thomas was the eldest child to Philister and Magnolia Starling.

Barbara attended Atherton Elementary, E.O. Smith Jr. High, Phillis Wheatley High and Texas Southern University in Elementary Education with a Master’s in Early Childhood Development. Barbara was a proud Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. soror, the proud colors of royal blue and white.

She married the love of her life Herman B. Thomas on Valentine’s Day. They celebrated 25 years of marriage before he preceded her in death.

Barbara was a former North Forest ISD teacher. Just prior to retirement she taught at Hilliard Elementary School. Barbara was from a family of educators and enjoyed sharing her wisdom and knowledge of education.

Barbara’s loss will be felt by her siblings, Jerene Terry, Carolyn Spears (Curtis), Cleotha Gaston (Carl), Philisie Washington (Millard), Sally Wiley (Eugene), Philister Starling Jr., and Kenneth Starling (Charlotte). Barbara’s many nieces and nephews will miss her stories as the elder sibling at so many fun family get-togethers!

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Herman B. Thomas and sisters Nettie Starling Louis Zepher and Maxine Starling Arnold.

Most of all, Barbara will be missed by her three children, Cynthia Sparks (Lasco), Valencia Spivey (Jeff), and Derrick Starling and a host of grand-children, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Sweet dreams …….