Barbara Baier Meadows

Barbara Meadows of Waco, Texas, passed from her earthly constraints on December 22, 2016. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 27, at the China Spring Cemetery in China Spring, Texas. Visitation will be 4:00-6:00 p.m., Monday, December 26, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Barbara was born to Gustav Baier and Torine Nicholson Baier on July 17, 1930, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she spent a happy and carefree childhood, surrounded by a lively and fun German and Swedish family. Those years were rich with ice-skating, sledding, singing and dancing and trips to her grandparents’ farm. In December, 1941, her family relocated to Waco, when her father’s job transferred to the Waco VA. Throughout her youth in Waco, Barbara enjoyed art, music, and band, going to the movies, riding the streetcar and making many friends. She graduated from Waco High School where she was active in the choir. During this time, she met the love of her life, Bill Meadows, on a blind date. Both attended Baylor University. They married in 1951, and Barbara worked for a while at the telephone company in downtown Waco, where she was working in April, 1953, when the deadly tornado hit just a few blocks away. The couple had two children, Patricia and Michael, and Barbara spent the next several years creating a happy home for her family. Family was her priority, and she instilled this into her children. Her love was demonstrated in so many creative ways. She was active in PTA, a homeroom mother, and Cub Scout Den mother. Money was tight, but Barbara was resourceful, making the best Halloween Costumes, sewing her own curtains, repairing things that broke, and once, even spray painting her husband’s old car, which was subsequently referred to as The Spotted Pup. Barbara was a creative spirit. She painted and sold, or gave away, many of her paintings. She sewed, crafted, played piano, and was president of the garden club. Barbara was not only fun, she was funny. Renowned for her quick wit and creative humor, she was often enlisted to be the toastmaster at various events and meetings. Barbara was also mischievous, sometimes stopping on the backroads during family trips and grabbing deer antlers off of a fence, or cotton bolls from a field, so her kids could see them. She was involved in many social activities with her husband, Bill, including a bridge club, Karem Shrine and Lion’s Club. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi and was the President of the Lake Waco Country Club Ladies Golf Association. She loved her golfing buddies and had quite the unique approach to teeing off. Once she even made a hole in one...on the hole behind her. Barbara was employed for a while as a teacher’s aide and a reading aide in Waco and Midway ISDs. She loved working with the students and would make inspirational posters for them as encouragement. Barbara aka Mimi loved her four grandsons with all of her heart and made as many school plays, grandparent luncheons, and soccer, football and baseball games as she could. She loved watching them grow into fine young men and was very proud of them all. Barbara was a delightful and loving soul who leaves a legacy of love and joy to those of us left behind to carry on. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a sister, Carol Jansen; and a niece, Susan Jansen. She is survived by her children, Patricia Meadows of Waco and Michael Meadows and wife, Mary, of McGregor; her grandchildren, Nicholas Fagner of Denton, Christopher Fagner and wife, Addison, of Speegleville, Ben Meadows and fiancé, Madison Juarez, of Austin, and Joe Meadows and wife, Chauntell, of Robinson; three precious great-grandchildren, Clayton, Easton, and Bailey; brother-in-law, John Jansen of San Antonio; and several nieces and nephews and loved ones. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society, First United Methodist Church Waco College Ministry, or the charity of your choice are welcomed. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.