Born in Beaumont on July 22, 1941, to the late Price Edward Johnson and Ida Katherine (Sanders) Johnson, Barbara's life was marked by passion, determination, and a deep love for her community. She attended St. Anthony's Catholic School and quickly stood out for her leadership and talent, serving as a drum major in high school. It was during these years that she also discovered a lifelong passion for tennis—a sport in which she excelled, winning state championships as a young woman and eventually rising to professional status in both singles and doubles.
Barbara’s love for tennis took her many places. She attended Wimbledon nearly every year and traveled to tournaments in Miami, Las Vegas, and other cities, fully embracing the sport she loved.
An entrepreneur, Barbara co-owned and operated two successful businesses in Beaumont: Barbara’s Industrial Engraving and Industrial Rescue, both ventures she shared with her late husband. Her dedication and work ethic left a lasting impression in the local industrial community.
Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Walter Hugh Nebgen; and both parents. She is survived by her sister, Rita Ricks, and Rita’s husband, Rip, as well as extended family and dear friends who will remember her love for life, strong will, and generous spirit.
Barbara’s legacy lives on in the lives she touched—with every engraved piece, every tennis match she played, and every memory she created along the way.
