
Barbara Nell (Cox) Faris
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Barbara Nell (Cox) Faris, age 77, peacefully passed away in her home on November 9, 2024, and is now with her precious Lord and Savior.
Visitation will be held Thursday, November 14, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Jenkins Funeral Home in Burnet, TX. Funeral services will be held Friday, November 15, at 10:00 am at Vanderveer Church of Christ. Interment will be at Bethel Cemetery.
She was born on December 13, 1946, in Levelland, Texas, to Tolbert Greenfield (TG) & Marjorie Nell (Fillpot) Cox, and married Bud Faris on December 20, 1966. Barbara is preceded in death by her parents.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Bud Faris, sons Logan Faris (Kimberly), Chris Faris (Sue Ellen), Travis Faris, daughter Holly Faris, sisters Sammie Bizzell (Don), Cheryl Howell, brother Joe Cox (Vicki), grandchildren, Lawson Faris (Kate), Zachary Faris, Carter Faris, Katie Faris, Abigail Faris, Hailey Faris, Halley Faris, Cooper Faris, Lily Allen, Riggin Faris, great-grandchildren, Graham Faris, Jack Faris, and a myriad of nieces and nephews.
Barbara grew up in Burnet County and graduated from Burnet High School in 1965. After high school, Barbara enrolled in Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) and graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. During high school Barbara started dating the love of her life, Bud Faris. He liked Marjorie's cooking and drove to Lake Victor often to eat breakfast with the Cox family and to drive Barbara to school. They married on December 20, 1966, and began a great love story that spanned 57 years. Their careers lead them to Texas City and soon their son, Logan, was born. Missing their families, Bud and Barbara relocated to Leander and eventually back to Burnet. Their family continued to grow with the births of twins Chris and Travis and their daughter, Holly.
Barbara fell in love with teaching and became everyone's favorite elementary teacher. Her career spanned 39 years in several schools in Galveston, Texas City, Leander, and Burnet. In Burnet CISD, Barbara taught multiple generations of families, mentored new teachers, and was named Burnet CISD Educator of the Year in 2000. She devoted hours of personal time each summer to editing the Burnet Elementary yearbook. Barbara taught all elementary grades through the years, but first grade was her favorite.
Barbara influenced hundreds of children through the years, but her greatest legacy was her role as Mom to her children and Nana to her grandchildren. Hosting Camp Nana each summer, Barbara scheduled a week of activities and trips sending the kids home with a scrapbook memorializing the week. Literacy was a priority, and each grandchild could expect to sit with Nana to read and anticipate gifts of books for special occasions.
Like her mother, Barbara loved arts and crafts including sewing, stamping, and painting. An avid quilter, she made gorgeous quilts and Christmas stockings for her family. She was a wonderful cook and took great delight in cooking for those she loved dearly. Her kitchen always displayed fresh cookies, pies, or a pound cake ready for guests.
Barbara was outgoing and she lived larger than life. Her green thumb was evident through the dozens of plants and flowers throughout her yard, but the grandchildren knew they were off limits.
Through the years and challenges of Alzheimer's, Bud personified what it means to love through sickness and health. Their love for each other only grew stronger as Bud became her caregiver. We all learned much about true love and devotion by his example.
Barbara loved her Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. We are confident she is in His presence, the deepest desire of her heart now fulfilled.
Donations can be sent to the Cherokee Home for Children in Cherokee, TX at https://secure.everyaction.com/9TTbsQ3VHEStHUXK_lQLpQ2. Mailing address: P.O. Box 295, Cherokee, TX 76832
