Barbara Ann Hebert Spivey, 84, of Dayton, Texas, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 16, 2025, surrounded by her loving children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild, Sarah. Barbara was born on April 12, 1940, to Don and George Ann Hebert in Alvin, Texas, and lived a full and beautiful life for 84 years, 11 months, and four days. On that Sunday, Barbara slipped these earthly bonds and stepped, untethered by her earthly infirmities, into paradise, where she was welcomed by her Lord and Savior, just as promised in the Gospel of Luke.
Barbara married Kenneth Gene Owens in November 1961, and together they had three beloved children: Rebecca Ann, Sarah Christine, and Kenneth Shane. Barbara considered her children her greatest accomplishments and loved them with fierce and unconditional devotion. As her family grew, her love extended to her grandchildren, attending countless dance recitals, cheer competitions, baseball and softball games, and soccer matches with pride and joy.
In March 1993, Barbara married Morris R. “Rick” Spivey, and they shared 30 beautiful years together until his passing in October 2023. Their love and partnership were a source of strength and happiness throughout their marriage.
Barbara found immense joy in her family but also embraced a variety of hobbies. She enjoyed creating ceramics, with many family members receiving treasured ceramic geese in the 1990s. A talented artist, she took painting classes for several years and bowled competitively on a bowling league. Barbara was a proud member of the Red Hat Society, Beta Sigma Phi sorority, and the Eastern Star, where she formed lifelong friendships.
Barbara had a passion for shopping and could spend hours browsing a mall without buying a thing. One of her most cherished traditions was baking cookies and candies at Christmas, tailoring each batch to her family’s unique tastes—whether it was extra haystacks for one or peanut butter fudge for another. This tradition became even more special when she passed on her recipes to her granddaughters.
Despite a long-standing fear of flying, Barbara conquered it in 2020 with encouragement from Chrissy and a little help from a “happy pill.” She flew to Iowa to visit Shane and Pride, even enduring an unplanned overnight stay in Chicago as part of the adventure. In 2021, she fulfilled a lifelong dream of seeing the Atlantic Ocean, kicking off her shoes and wading into the water.
A lifelong Elvis Presley fan, Barbara even had the rare experience of sleeping at Graceland—though her visit was cut short when she fainted from the heat in the Trophy Room during a tour in 2022. It was an unforgettable experience that became a family story cherished for years to come.
Barbara is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Morris Richard “Rick” Spivey; her grandson, Brandon Moody; her great-grandson, Myles Williams; and her first cousin and best friend, Mildred Bozeman.
She is survived by her loving children, Rebecca May and husband Dwayne, Sarah Hart and husband James, and Kenneth Shane Owens and wife Pride; her bonus child, Lisa Hagebusch and husband Eric; her grandchildren, Taryn Sims and husband Bo, Cameron May and wife Ashley, Ashley Brown and fiancé Jake, Tegan Webb and husband Bill, Richie Lambert, Jamie Moody Seymour and husband Trey, Amber Durden and husband Cody, Kailey Best and wife Brittany, Elizabeth Logue and husband Daniel, Rhiannon Clifton, Taylor Hutton, and Allie and Riley Hagebusch; and her great-grandchildren, Maddy, Maddox, Tucker, Mallorie, Kacey, McKenna, Jace, Sarah, Tyler, Eli, Caleb, KayLynn, Brennan, and Josie.
Honoring the family by serving as pallbearers will be Cameron May, James “Bo” Sims, William “Bill” Webb, William “Jake” Spring, and Taylor Hutton. Honorary pallbearers are Richard “Richie” Lambert, Daniel Logue, and Cody Durden.
Friends are invited to visit with the family beginning at 9:30 a.m., on Friday, March 21, 2025, in the chapel of Sterling Funeral Home, 602 N. Main Street, Dayton, Texas 77535. A funeral service will follow at 10:00 a.m., with Bro. Jason Cowart officiating. A graveside and committal service will be held at Palms Memorial Park, 2421 Hwy 146 S., Dayton, Texas.
Barbara Ann lived a life rich with love, laughter, and cherished memories. Her legacy of strength, devotion, and warmth will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.