Barbara E. Sohn

Barbara was the third child born to John & Louisa Lawrence of Baltimore Maryland, in 1929.

She graduated from the old Patterson Park High School, ranking #5th in the class Graduating in February 1948. Shortly after graduating Barbara started to work as a Word Clerk at Johns Hopkins Hospital -Osler Building 3rd floor. This short career made her glad she applied for admission into the Union Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. She received her conformation of admission on Labor Day weekend, giving her time to prepare for a new life.

Barbara completed 3 long years as a student nurse gaining experiences in all aspects of training, from Head Nurse to Night Duty, Scrub Nurse in the Operating Room, this included assisting in a Craniotomy, Triage and her first love – the Emergency Room. She started in the Emergency areas as a graduate nurse.

After Barbara passed the State Board Examination, she began to get the wonder lust to travel. She and two classmates decided to try nursing in a summer camp in Maine. After returning to Baltimore she had to settle for employment as a “Polio” nurse in the Adult Ward. She did not take any days off and worried 24 /7 about the patients in the Iron Lung. Barbara was proud that not one patient died on her watch.

Her parents decided to make a trip to California, Barbara agreed to drive them in her car if they paid for the gasoline. This faithful trip led to her meeting the Love of her Life, Bill Sohn. Barbara and Bill married on June 27, 1954 and were married 64 ½ years until Bill passed in December of 2018.

Barbara continued her Nursing Career after taking time to raising her 3 sons. She worked with Dr. Ralph Chase at the Pediatric Clinic with West Texas Medical from 1973 to 1989. After He retired, she continued to work filling in the various offices as a relief nurse for vacations or special times, as well as working as the Infection Control Nurse giving Tuberculosis testing, Hepatitis B Vaccines and a host of other responsibilities until she retired in 1999. Everywhere around town she would see and be recognized she gave a “shot” to. She loved working with the Kids and their Parents.

During those years, Barbara also worked as Bill’s assistant in making wooden toys as “Toys & More”; AARP Drivers Safety Program; “55 Alive”, Volunteering at the Community Theater as Ushers; She Knitted over 185 hats for the Military Service Men to ware beneath their helmets; Parish Nurse for her church, Trinity Lutheran; President of AARP Chapters Instructor & Training of New Instructors for the “55 Alive” classes; Setting up classes for Bill’s territories of 74 Texas counties; Docent at Fort Concho Hospital Building where she demonstrated the use of the Iron Lung; She was active in Trinity Lutheran Church and served as President of the Evening Guild; She was an active member of RSVP. She and Bill were honored and inducted into the Seniors Hall of Fame in May of 2008.

She and Bill traveled to all 50 States, several Foreign Countries, they made 59 Trips with both the Concho Valley Baptist Association & Lena Bilbrey with Bilbrey Tours. Barbara was proud of her three sons, Gary, Greg & Lindsay: her Grandchildren, Great Grands and her vast plate collection of all their travels.

Barbara always had a smile and loved the life God planned and gave her to enjoy… her life verse was Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Barbara received her heavenly premotion and passed peacefully at home- Gary and Anita with her.

Barbara is survived by two sons: Gary Sohn of Larue Texas, and wife Anita who was her primary CarePartner and dear friend. Gregory Sohn of Austin Texas. Grandson Stephen and wife Kristen and Great Grandchildren Kaleb and Kathryne of Jacksonville, Texas. Grandson Gerhardt, of Denton, Texas, Great Grandchildren Alayna and Gabriel of Rhome, Texas. Grandson William and Wife Sarah of Pearland, Texas, along with various nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Wilbur “Bill Sohn, her Parents, Brother and his Wife, and son Lindsey Alan Sohn.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Trinity Lutheran School, or a Charity of your choice.