Barbara "Ann" Arnhart

Born in Hobbs, New Mexico, on July 13, 1937, to Thomas Henry Bright and Mable Dean Smith Bright, Ann grew up in Eunice, New Mexico, alongside her younger brother, Tommy. A gifted student, she graduated with honors from Eunice High School in 1955 and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Hardin-Simmons University in 1959. In 1961, she married Larry Arnhart. After a brief stay in Abilene, Ann and Larry relocated to Salina, Kansas where Larry was stationed with the USAF and her two children were born (Thomas Randall and Laura Jane). Ann and family moved to Lubbock where she worked for the Social Security Administration before moving to North Richland Hills, Texas. It was here that she began a long and distinguished career with the Federal Aviation Administration. She took great pride in her work as a specialist in the Air Traffic Controller’s Second Career program, eventually retiring in 2000 as a GS14.

Outside of her career, Ann was a woman of many interests. She was always involved and dedicated to her church, teaching children’s Sunday school and singing in the choir. She loved taking trips with her FAA friends, as well as organizing and attending her high school and college reunions. She was a dedicated genealogy researcher and a talented writer who enjoyed writing newsletters for various organizations.

Ann’s soul was fed by music from the early days of piano lessons and youth choir, to singing in the adult choirs at NRHBC and North Pointe Baptist Church, especially Christmas pageants. She could be found anywhere good music was being performed and was a regular at the Johnny High Country Music Review and Kraig Parker-Elvis Tribute performances. She loved all types of music from country and Glen Campbell to hymns, worship and southern gospel.

Ann lived by “if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right”. Her meticulous nature—a "perfectionist in all things"—served her well, whether she was proofreading a term paper, organizing a staff party, editing her college yearbook, coordinating vibrant color palettes, or sewing intricate costumes for Christmas pageants.

Ann loved her children and was always there to care, guide and support. She is survived by her son, Thomas Randall Arnhart and wife Martha of Waco; her daughter, Laura Jane Arnhart of Arlington; her stepson, Michael Don Arnhart of Arlington; their father, Larry Arnhart; a sister-in-law, Nancy Bright, as well as former spouses, Donald E. Horton and Robert O’Briant.

She was affectionately known in her later years as “Granna Ann” - a proud grandmother to four grandsons: Bracken (Katie), Harris (Rachel), Truitt (Chloe), and Kaiser (Madison) as well as 10 great-grandchildren. She was known as “Aunt Ann” to niece DeAnne, and “Aunt Granna” to great-niece Grayson. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Thomas H. Bright, Jr.

A celebration of Ann’s life will be held at 1:30 PM on January 17, 2026, at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home in Colleyville, Texas.