Barbara Jean Brenton

Barbara Walston Brenton, longtime resident of Houston, Texas passed away on November 15, 2019. Mrs. Brenton resided with her son Kirk M. Brenton and family in Huntsville, Texas since May 2018, but remained in close contact with friends of the Clear Lake City and NASA community.

Barbara was born in Elkhart, Texas on January 20th, 1936 to parents W.T. and Ludie Walston. Her family relocated to Palestine, Texas in 1941 where her father became a production supervisor with Knox Glass Industries. As a young girl, Barbara pursued many hobbies, but enjoyed playing the piano, a skill that would bring enjoyment to her family and church throughout her life. She graduated from Palestine High School in 1953 and attended Tyler Junior College in Tyler. While attending Tyler Junior College she was a member of the famous Apache Bells Drill Team.

In 1963 Barbara moved to Houston, Texas and was employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) serving in various administrative capacities. A mutual interest in NASA and the space race brought her and husband, Westley H. Brenton together. Barbara and Wes enjoyed 52 years of marriage.

Barbara was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who enjoyed antiquing, gardening, the outdoors, and finding beauty in the simple things of life. She also loved entertaining and serving others with her primary purpose of making family, friends and even strangers feel at home.

Although many past times would fill Barbara’s life, spending time with her family was most important. As an only child, she sought to live out Exodus 20:12 instructing Christians to honor their father and mother. She assisted both her mother and her husband, Wes as their age progressed. She considered it an honor and duty to take on these tasks and she did so to the end of their lives.

Barbara had one son, Kirk Michael Brenton and one stepson Westley Dana Brenton. Barbara was also an incredible grandmother to three grandchildren who would affectionately call her “BB”. Barbara counted it a high honor to wear the roles of housewife, mother and grandmother and fulfilled that calling faithfully.

The University Baptist Church (UBC) family and rich history was a large part of Barbara and Wes’s life. Alongside other Bay Area families, they both served as part of the foundational team for UBC. Barbara’s favorite Bible chapter was 1 Corinthians 13, the Love Chapter, and she attempted to live her life fulfilling this message. In her later years of service you could find her greeting people on Sunday morning ensuring that both long time members and first time guest received a smile that conveyed the simple message that they were loved.

Barbara is survived by her son Kirk M. Brenton and daughter-in-law Dana L. Brenton; her grandsons Zachary Michael Brenton and Aaron Lane Brenton; her granddaughter Allie Nichole Brenton of Huntsville, Texas; her stepson, Westley Dana Brenton and his wife Sheila Brenton of Willis, Texas. Mrs. Brenton is preceded in death by her husband Westley H. Brenton and her parents W.T. and Ludie Walston.

In lieu of flowers the Brenton family is requesting that donations be made to The Foundation at University Baptist Church, Houston, Texas. Due to Mrs. Brenton’s ongoing involvement with all three grandchildren and there education donations may also be made to Alpha Omega Academy, Huntsville, Texas.