Barbara Bieber Hamby

Graveside services for Barbara Bieber Hamby, 74, of Nacogdoches will be held at 10:00am on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at Fairview Cemetery.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 from 5-7pm at Laird Funeral Home.

Barbara was a woman who loved adventure.  Her life, from a young age, was filled with friends and loved ones and her zest for travel was born.  She had a great passion for being in the ocean and on a boat which derived from sailing with her father.  Barbara was fiercely independent and took great pride in being able to do things on her own.  This trait showed one specific day as she was getting gas at the station where she worked.  A dapper young fireman happened to pull up and saw her.  Being a gentleman, he began pumping gas for the beautiful young woman who caught his eye.  That is NOT what Barbara wanted, and she told him so.  However, after some pursing, Walter Hamby won her over.  The two were married in 1977 and have spent a wonderful 44 years together. 

Barbara worked for and retired from RJ Reynolds and because she wasn’t satisfied with not working, she then did what she had to and was able to begin teaching at SFA, where she stayed until she retired a second time.  She and Walter, upon his retirement, was then able to travel both together and some on her own.  Her adventures became what she loved.  She visited many places around the world including Alaska, Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand and Australia.  Some of her favorite memories were made while backpacking in Ireland when she brought a very special ring back to Walter that he still wears to this day.  Amid all her travels, she found time to indulge in her obsession with Star Wars as well.  She and Walter enjoyed sailing and cruising but their best times were spent with each other.  Their most memorable event was attending The Queen’s birthday in London in 2017.   In 1987, they renewed their vows and continued with their life knowing how blessed they are. 

Barbara and Walter, although they had no children of their own, felt a special love for their nieces and nephews and loved them unconditionally.  Being “Aunt Barbara” was special to her.

Barbara is survived by her loving husband, Walter Hamby; sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Shelton and Stacy Bieber and many nieces and nephews that will hold her dear in their hearts and minds.

She is preceded in death by parents, Theodore and Mary Ann Bieber and brothers, Chris Bieber and Bobby Bieber.

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