Barbara Anne Scribner

Barbara Anne Scribner passed peacefully on Thanksgiving, Thursday November 28, 2024, at home with close friends and family. She was preceded in death by her father Lenville Coleman (Sonny) Nugent, her mother Willie B. Nugent, her brother David Lynn Nugent, her son Kevin Scribner, and her grandson Tyler Scribner. 

Barbara was born on June 6th, 1940, in Levelland, Texas. Her father was in the oil business and the family lived in many small towns in southwestern New Mexico and West Texas. Barbara attended school in Lubbock, Midland, and Farmington, New Mexico, graduating from Farmington High School in 1958. 

In Farmington, Barbara was a member of the National Honor Society, Editor in Chief of the school newspaper, and was elected Secretary of State in New Mexico’s Girls State (1957).

It was in Farmington that she met her future husband Robert K (Bobby) Scribner, Jr. After graduation, she and Bobby eloped and were married in a Presbyterian Church in Aztec, New Mexico on July 26, 1958.

Bob and Barbara started their life together in Odessa, Texas where both worked and attended Odessa College. After the birth of their first son Kevin, they moved to Lubbock, Texas to continue their education at Texas Tech University. Their second son Steven was born in Lubbock. Upon Bob’s graduation they lived in a variety of places, including Odessa, where their third son David was born, ultimately moving to El Paso where Barbara completed her own degree while also raising a family. Barbara was also very active in the community and, with her family, attended the Eastwood Church of Christ.

She began her career as a reading teacher in El Paso, a calling that she would pursue with the same combination of generosity of spirit and insistence on excellence that characterized her every action.

In 1977 the family moved back to Odessa, Texas. Barbara continued her teaching career, starting as a teacher at Burleson elementary. She earned her Master’s Degree in Education from UTPB in 1983, working many evenings at the kitchen table. 

During this period, Barbara collaborated with other professionals at Ector County Independent School District to initiate the grant application for the ECISD magnet program. She served in several additional roles in ECISD including Program Director at Zavala Magnet School, Reading Supervisor in the Curriculum Department, and Director of Magnet Programs.

In 1991, Barbara became the Principal of Reagan Magnet School, a position in which she flourished, along with her beloved students, staff, and teachers. She considered her thirteen years at Reagan Magnet School the pinnacle of her career. Barbara made a point of hugging each of her students every morning, and every member of her family has had the pleasure of seeing one of her former student’s eyes light up at the mention of her name.

After retiring from Reagan Magnet School, Barbara served as a reading consultant for the Region 18 Education Service Center and the TEA, helping many disadvantaged students in the West Texas Area. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Education Foundation of Odessa. In 2009 she was awarded a Community Statesman Award by the Heritage Foundation of Odessa. 

Barbara gave of herself unceasingly, being the primary caregiver for her own mother, her mother-in-law, and her father-in-law. She was a devoted mother to her three sons. She was advisor, cheerleader, proofreader, drill sergeant, and, on occasion, unofficial ambulance driver (the Scribner sons’ misadventures leading to more than one visit to the emergency room over the years). She attended sporting events for her children and grandchildren whenever possible, including countless football games, track meets, wrestling meets, soccer games, and golf tournaments. 

She was devoted to her Faith in Jesus Christ and strove to share and live out the truth of the gospels. She and her husband attended Golf Course Road Church of Christ in Midland for many years.

She is survived by her husband, Bob; her sons, David, Steve, and wife, Lisa; her daughter-in-law, Karen Scribner; her grandson, Sean, and wife, Jen; her granddaughter, Madison; her grandson, Taylor; and her great-granddaughter, Eleanor; her niece, Amy Green and husband, Brian; and nephew, Todd Nugent and wife, Tristan; and sister-in-law, Ethel Nugent.

A visitation will be Thursday, December 5, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, December 6, 2024, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Tim Bough Officiating. A burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.