Barbara Ann (Wallace) Epley Lee

Barbara Ann (Wallace) Epley Lee, 88, of Cranfills Gap passed away on Saturday, August 10. 2024. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, August 24, 2024 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Cranfills Gap.

Whew! Here I come, worn out, used up but I’ve lived my life to the fullest, giving my Lord & Savior all the glory. What a glorious ride it was. I was born the favorite daughter of J. M.  and Tirah Knudson Wallace in Clifton, Texas on September 20, 1935 by Dr. Van Doren Goodall, the new doctor in town. Dr. Goodall always remembered my birthday, which I thought was kind of cool. In June, 1939, my brother John Mark was added to the family, then in January 1943 Robert Wayne was welcomed. I am so blessed to be born to a loving Christian family.

We lived on the Wallace farm on State Hwy 6 until dad went to work for Austin Bridge Co. based out of Dallas. So we moved to Dallas when I was six years old, living in the Pecan Heights community. It was such a good neighborhhood, like a second family, where I made life long friends.  I met Bobby Epley climbing trees in the back of our house in Pecan Heights when I was 6 and he was 9.  Being raised with all boys in the neighborhood I was very competitive, definitely a TomBoy, so naturally I got to the top first! When we moved to Churchill Street there were mainly boys in the neighborhood. The only girl, besides me, moved away when I was 12. As we got older, Dad didn’t particularly care for the way the boys drove their hot rods up and down our street. And of course one of those boys just happened to be Bobby. So, naturally, Dad wasn’t too thrilled when we started dating.

In 1953 I graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. My first job was with Southern Union Gas Company. Bobby was drafted into the army and was stationed in Norfork, Va. Bobby got lonesome and decided he wanted to get married before his discharge.  So, on June 5, 1954 while he was on leave, we married at Central Lutheran Church in Dallas, Texas.  We moved to Norfolk, VA, and in March of 1955 Teresa Lynn was born in the Portsmouth Naval Hospital. After Teresa’s birth I decided to take her and return to Dallas to stay with Mom and Dad until Bobby was discharged. Our family continued to grow.  Bonnie Renee’ was born August 1957; Belinda Annette, January 1959; and Tira Lea, Sept 1962.

When we returned to Dallas, Bobby joined the family grocery business. We purchased the Gap Community Foods and Locker Plant in 1962 and learned a new lifestyle from the big city living. Being closed on Sundays and at 5:30 in the afternoons seemed to be a schedule that fit well with the community. This was such a different lifestyle from our previous 14 hour day, 7 day a week schedule we had in the city. We had more time to spend with our  family and commuinity, Praise the Lord.

Sewing was my therapy and with four girls it was ideal. I made all their clothes until they started wearing jeans in high school.  I also made their costumes, prom dresses, wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses etc. Our family togetherness was centered around St. Olaf Lutheran Church activities as well as, track meets, basketball and football games and any and all school/community activities. I was involved with designing and making costumes and sets for plays and May Fete at our local high school. I also served on the city council and on the board of the BCCFA. Church activities kept me busy as well. I made banners, sang in the choir, and taught Sunday School for many years.

Bobby had a big surprise, learning to prepare the Lutefisk each year. It was originally held at the St. Olaf Lutheran church basement. We were instrumental in reviving that tradition for the school in 1965, thinking it would be maybe a one time deal, but you can see, there was a demand for that old tradition to remain.

Bobby had medical problems and was unable to carry out duties in the slaughter house.  In 1973, we sold the store.  Bobby went to work as salesman for Evans
Speciality and I started my banking career at First Security State Bank. I loved the staff there, we were a family. I went from First Security to Bosque County Bank in Meridian, and ended my 25 years in banking with First Security branch in Clifton.

Bobby died in 1996 at home just as he wanted with all his girls by his side. It was a such a blessing. We had a wonderful 43 years of marriage with lots of love, laughs & hugs.

I remarried on June 8, 2003 to Gene Lee of Hamilton, who later was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and had to be placed in Dove Hill Nursing home for four years prior to his death in 2016.

I love to travel and have made some wonderful trips. I had the opportunity to visit Europe, Switzerland, Canada and took a Viking Cruise down the Blue Danube. Traveling started to become more difficult which was hard to accept.

Bunco was such great fun and a good way to meet and make some very special friends. I enjoyed volunteering at the Pot of Gold with such wonderful people, it was like a family. I love to play games with family & friends. We are a very competitive family and at times, it gets serious!

I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2018, “learn to live with it” “Do what you can do” that is my motto.  My last stay at Providence was a very enlightening experience, I wanted to stay at home in my last days, and transitioning to Hospice resolved many of my concerns. This is a wonderful organization and have been truly blessed by my decision.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my family. My children: Teresa (Steve) Saborsky of Kentucky, Renee’ (Rodney) Barner of Clifton, Belinda (Steve) Prince of Cranfills Gap, Tirah Menger of Cranfills Gap. Grandchildren: Janet Saborsky & Alex (Kate) Saborsky, Adam Barner  & Hayley (Daniel) LeLoy, Jarrod Prince & Barrett (Jessica) Prince, Paige (Wade) Lucko & Cassidy (Jarett) Carpenter.  Great-Grandchildren:  Lexi Barner, Avery Barner, Scarlett & Violett Prince. Great-great-Grandchildren: Cavana & Carson Barner.

Loving brother John Mark (Jan) Wallace of Mustang Community.

I’m so excited about my heavenly reunion of my loved ones who have gone before, Mom and Dad; Tirah & J.M. Wallace, Brother Bob Wallace, Grandparents Sadie & Conrad Knudson, Grandparents Nora & Foney Wallace, Bobby Epley, Gene Lee, and my son in laws, Rodney Barner, and Steve Prince.

Praise the Lord for all He has done and the wonderful life given to me. I know He is my Father, I am His loved child. Praise be to God.

in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Cranfills Gap.