Barbara Abshier, 80, of Beaumont died Monday, July 12, 2010, at Medical Center of Southeast Texas.
A native of New Gulf, Texas, Mrs. Abshier was a lifelong resident of Beaumont. She graduated from Hermann Hospital School of Nursing as an LVN in 1950; she later graduated from Hotel Dieu School of Nursing as a RN in 1967. From 1967 to 1992, Barbara was the nurse at Oak Forest Elementary School in Vidor. She had a favorite motto, “Love is….Listening to a Child”, which hung in her office. While taking care of children during the week, she worked weekends as a floor supervisor at Park Place Hospital in Port Arthur, Texas and was an active member of the American Nurses Association, Texas Nurses Association, and American Association of School Health. She was also a Life member of Texas State Teachers Association and National Education Association. She was a member of TSTA School Health, both State and Local, a member of Classroom Teachers Association, State and Local, and held offices in both professional organizations. When she was not “nursing”, she was spending time with her grandchildren, doing woodwork, a variety of arts and crafts, including reading, music, ceramics—eggs were her specialty. She was also an avid nature lover and gardener.
Barbara Abshier was “love in action’, in thought, words, and deeds. She was truly a blessing to all who were lucky enough to know her. She will be greatly missed, but never, never, ever forgotten!
She is survived by her sons, James Michael Abshier and his wife Kitty of New York, New York and Stephen Wayne Abshier and his wife Diane of Beaumont; daughter, Barbara Diane Davis and her husband Calvin of Rockwell, North Carolina; grandchildren, Jon Calvin Davis, Shani Ahearn, Christopher Davis, Keely Snyder, Todd Abshier, and Nicole Xinger Song; great grandchildren, Jon-Michael Davis, Eric Davis, Sara Davis, West Ahearn, Bishop Henry Snyder, and Tate Ahearn; and long time friend, Lois Hardy.
Memorial service will be 4:00 p.m. Friday, July 16, 2010, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 3430 Harrison Avenue, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin. A gathering of her family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, July 15, 2010, at Broussard’s.
Memorial contributions can be made to American Cancer Society, 755 South 11th, Suite 212, Beaumont, Texas 77701-3723.
