Barbara Hankins Dosher

Barbara Hankins Dosher October 15, 1951 February 10, 2014 Barbara Hankins Dosher, 62, of Waco passed away on Monday, February 10, 2014, in her home, surrounded by her loving family, after bravely fighting cancer. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, February 13, at Carleen Bright Arboretum White Hall in Woodway, Texas, with the Rev. Wayne Williams officiating. Barbara was born on October 15, 1951, in Quanah, Texas to Stayton and Eleanora Helene Hankins. She was married for 17 years to William Bill Carroll Dosher, who predeceased her in 2002. A graduate of Manzano High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Barbara received her undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master's in Education from Baylor University. An educator, life-long learner, creator, traveler, wonderful listener and a humble, gentle spirit, Barbara spent her life generously sharing her talents and gifts with those lucky enough to surround her. Her brother, David lovingly wrote about her, "when God was handing out goodness and honesty, Barbara went to the front of the line, got my portion and went back for seconds and thirds." She was beautiful, inside and out, and her beauty and goodness was evident to all who encountered her. She was an elementary school educator for over 30 years, and considered expanding and developing her students' minds her life's work. She spent the last years of her teaching career at Lake Waco Montessori, surrounded by students, faculty and staff that she deeply loved. Her passion for teaching was often recognized, and she was honored to be named a Waco ISD Outstanding Teacher. Barbara was a woman of many diverse talents. She could knit a delicate pair of baby booties, take a beautiful photograph and cook a delicious meal, but she could also repair an air conditioner, frame a house and fashion a homemade camera out of foil, paper and string in order to capture a particularly beautiful sunset from the car on a road trip. If you were stranded on a desert island, Barbara is the one thing you would want to take with you. She could do it all. Although she could do anything, Barbara's proudest accomplishments were her daughters, Heather and Katie. Besides her family, her other loves included reading, traveling, trains, art, music, movies, crafts, sewing, knitting, gardening, cooking and photography; hobbies she actively enjoyed all her life. She is preceded in death by her father, Stayton Hankins, and her husband, William Bill Carroll Dosher. She is survived by her daughter, Heather Beck and her husband, Ryan; daughter, Katie Dosher and boyfriend, Jacob Grisham; mother, Eleanora Helene Hankins; sister, Sheryle Carini; sister, Jeanene Morton and her husband, Rudy; brother, David Hankins and his wife, Julie; nephews, Matt and Eric Simper and Elliott and Evan Hankins; nieces, Christy Staas and Melanie Boening; and step-grandchildren, Dax Hawkins and Julia Beck. Her family is grateful to all who have expressed their kind condolences. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Barbara may make memorial contributions in her name to the Waco ISD Education Foundation. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WHBfamily.com.