Barbara Claire Wade

April 10, 1931 – March 31, 2010

Barbara Claire Wade, wife, mother and active business woman departed this life March 31, 2010 at her home in Little River County with family and friends by her side. Barbara was born April 10, 1931 in Del Rio Texas to the late Einar H. and Ardythe Nielsen.

She grew up in San Antonio Texas where she graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. She continued her education at Stephens College in Columbia Missouri. After graduation she worked for Prudential Life in New Jersey, she later transferred to their southwest regional office in Houston, Texas where she met and married Charles O. “Bubba” Wade, Jr. in 1953.

Mrs. Wade was an accomplished business woman who helped her husband establish Fire, Casualty and Life Insurance business in Houston Texas. Barbara planned and established one of the first skilled nursing homes, North Heights Manor, in Texarkana. While serving as administrator, she also served as a Regional and State Director of the Arkansas Nursing Home Association. She was voted Business and Professional Woman of the Year in 1982.

She co-founded Arkansas Bankers Life Insurance Company in 1975. She served this company in operations statewide, as an officer, director, and employee until her retirement in 1995.

Mrs. Wade always found the time to be a devoted and loving mother who supported her children by being actively involved in their lives. As a caring parent she helped initiate programs in education that benefited children with learning disabilities. She was especially supportive of 4-H, FFA, and programs related to livestock, high school and college rodeos.

Mrs. Wade was preceded in death by her brother, Robert H. Nielsen of Waco Texas.

Celebrating her memories, Mrs. Wade is survived by Charles O. “Bubba” Wade, husband of 59 years; sons and daughters-in-law, Charles O. Wade, III of Texarkana, Randy Wade of New Boston, Hal and Sharon Wade of Ashdown, John and Dana Wade of Ashdown, Alejandro Martinez of Texarkana now serving in Iraqu; daughters and sons-in-laws, Sandra and Verdo Powell of Hope, Susan and Eddy Johnston of Ashdown, 18 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and special friends.

She was a member of St. James Episcopal Church of Texarkana, serving the Alter Guild.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Saturday April 3, 2010 at East Funeral Home downtown.

Services will be 10 a.m., Monday April 6, 2010 at St. James Episcopal Church with Father Doug Anderson officiating.

Memorials honoring Mrs. Wade can be given to the St. James Episcopal Church Organ Fund, 417 Olive Street, Texarkana, Tx. 75501

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the compassionate and outstanding care provided by Serenity Hospice of Arkansas.

Family and friends may send condolences to www.eastfuneralhome.com