Barbara Elaine Halverson

Barbara Elaine (Downes) Halverson

02/08/1947 – 04/23/2024

Barbara Elaine Halverson went home to our Lord on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, following a long and courageous battle with lung cancer. She was 77 years old. Barbara’s devoted husband Baron along with other family were at her side when she passed.

We invite friends and family to celebrate Barbara's life and honor her passing at her family church, New Salem Baptist Church, 429 County Road 309, Lott, Texas. Barbara’s service, with Pastor Donnie Fulton officiating, will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 25, 2024. A meal will be held in the church hall immediately following the service. Barbara’s family invites everyone to join in fellowship and remembrance of her. The private interment of her cremains will be at Powers Chapel Cemetery in Pleasant Grove at a date in the future.

She was born Barbara Elaine Downes on February 8, 1947, in Rosebud, Texas, to M.C. and Roxie Downes. When she was young, Barbara's family moved to California. They continued to move between there and Texas throughout her upbringing. She graduated from Norte Vista High School in Riverside, California in 1965.

Barbara married Charles Ward. They adopted a precious baby girl and named her Lisa Ann. Barbara and Charles later divorced.

When she met the love of her life, Baron Halverson, they had an immediate connection. They married on June 16, 1973, and settled in Riverside County, California. They enjoyed nearly 51 years of marriage. Together, they raised their blended family of two daughters and one son. They worked side-by-side in several businesses that they owned and operated over the years. Barbara served as the bookkeeper and office manager using the skills she developed at the Skadron College of Business in San Bernardino where she earned her associate degree. Barbara and Baron also worked for the Corona/Norco Unified School District for several years. During her tenure with the school district, Barbara became proficient at painting. While she was not particularly fond of painting, she was always willing to help family members with their projects.

They relocated to Texas in the later years of their marriage settling in Falls County. Again, they worked side-by-side clearing their property, building fences, raising cows, and tending their gardens. Barbara loved driving her tractor and raising their precious pets. She was happiest working outdoors; housework was not among her preferred activities. Whenever Barbara planned to attend an event, family and friends would ask her if she was going to bring her potato salad. When her taco salad was served at family meals, there were never leftovers. Barbara loved gemstones and jewelry. She could watch jewelry channels for hours. She and Baron enjoyed antiquing together. Their homes were adorned with the treasures that they would find and restore or repurpose. Both were avid readers; Barbara would stay up into the wee hours reading every night. She was also incredibly talented at needlepoint.

Family and friends were what Barbara held most dear. She spent years researching family genealogy, even to the extent of visiting libraries and cemeteries in other states to gather information. Most will remember Barbara for having a generous and caring heart, and for her powerful sense of fairness and truth. Most importantly, she had a deep faith in Jesus. She would share the comfort that she found in gospel and country music through her social media.

Her parents, M.C. and Roxie, and her sister, Mary Joyce Downes Daw, preceded Barbara in death. Barbara is survived by her husband Baron; her brothers, Ellis “Buddy” Downes and his wife, Janice of Conroe, Texas, and Danny Downes and his wife, Gwyn of Belton, Texas; her children, Laura Halverson Maxell and her husband, Kyle of Cedar Springs, Texas, Lisa Halverson Butler and her husband, Sean of Bakersfield, California, and Craig Halverson and his wife, Jaimie of Riverside, California; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; her Aunt Effie; and, her constant four-legged companion, Bella.

Barbara had many friends. We are eternally grateful to them for their unconditional love of Barbara. The family would like to express their profound appreciation to the professional staff of Baylor, Scott and White, and Gentiva Hospice for their knowledgeable and compassionate care of Barbara.

Memorials to honor Barbara’s memory may be made to New Salem Baptist Church, 429 County Road 309, Lott, Texas 76656.