Barbara Darnall

It is with sadness and joy we announce the passing of Barbara Barber Darnall, on February 15, 2025. She was 92 years old. While our hearts are heavy, we know she is Home and at Peace. 

 An original Yellow Rose of Texas, Barbara was born November 4, 1932, to Laura Kilgore Barber, an English teacher, and Dell Barber, a rancher and lawyer. Raised in Colorado City, she graduated high school in 1948. With a boundless mind and intelligence, she began her university studies at Texas Tech at the age of 16. Transferring to Baylor University, she completed her BA in English and her MA in Theatre. Barbara met her husband, like-minded and kindred spirit Joe Darnall, on Valentine’s Day in 1960 at a friend’s house after church. Barbara and Joe were married December 19, 1964, at First Baptist Church in Waco. In the early years of their marriage, they lived in Waco, Wichita Falls, San Antonio, Lubbock, Indianapolis, IN, and Denver, CO, before returning home to Texas in 1975 and settling in Abilene. They were married for 47 years, before Joe’s passing in 2011. 

Honing her knack with numbers, Barbara became a Public Accountant maintaining a personal business for over 45 years. She also continued her artistic endeavors as a member of the Abilene Writers Guild having several of her poems and short stories published. Beyond her family, Barbara’s personal walk with God was her core. She often talked fondly of singing hymns with her father as they rode horseback together checking fence lines and playing scripture quoting games with her mother. Traditions Barbara continued. Upon moving to Abilene, the family became members of First Baptist Church, where she served on numerous boards and committees. She also used her talent and background in theatre to help arrange many a church pageant over the years. Barbara enjoyed time spent with her children, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren. 

Barbara’s legacy includes her children, Charles Darnall, Sam Darnall, and Katherine Ayla; her grandchildren, Ashley Darnall and her husband Matthew Miller, Adam Darnall and his wife Ashley Darnall, Nathan Darnall and his significant other Cai Cuevas, three bonus grandchildren, Caleb Kays, Jason Moran, and Stephanie Moran; her great grandchildren, Madison Riley, Shiloh Miller, Emery Miller, Owen Miller, and Atlas Moran; and her Daughters-In-Love, Erica Moran and Krista Miller. 

The family will receive friends from 6-8p on Thursday, February 20, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene. The service will be held at 2pm on Friday, February 21, at First Baptist Church Abilene followed by a graveside service at Rose Hill Cemetery in Merkel. 

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Mission Programs, 1333 North 3rd Street, Abilene, Texas, 79601.