Barbara Ann Wall

Barbara Ann Wall nee Johnson, a virtuous woman, completed her earthly life on Tuesday, May 1, 2018.

Born into this world on Monday, August 27, 1934, in Ardmore, Oklahoma, Barbara enjoyed the blessings of her loving and dedicated parents, Robert Frank Johnson and Grace Lillian Johnson nee Eck. Her father worked in the oil fields, and in her early childhood they lived in a trailer, which they pulled behind their car. They lived in a number of towns in Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana, where some of her rural school bus rides took over an hour. In Healdton, Oklahoma, her parents eventually established Johnson-Eck Drug Store, with Kenneth Eck, Barbara’s wonderful uncle. Because of Barbara, her parents, her grandparents, her Uncle Kenneth, and his family, this small Oklahoma town, the drug store, and the family houses would eventually be a place of love and magic for her sons. Bright and shining, it still looms in their minds and warms them.

She left home in 1953 to study music at Eastern New Mexico University, where she met and married the tenor of her dreams, A.V. Wall, whom she loved and honored steadfastly for the rest of her life. In 1957 and 1959, beginning their life together in Brownfield, Texas, Barbara and A.V. brought their two sons, Kirk and Kent, into the world. An elementary school teacher by this time, she was a marvelous wife and mother. She sang along with the radio in her beautiful coloratura soprano voice, taught her children songs, played games with them, took them to all kinds of events, and cooked incredible meals for her family, all of this while working hard as a teacher.

The family moved to Clovis, New Mexico, where she continued her teaching career and her husband directed the choirs for Clovis High School. Taking jobs with the public school system and seeking more singing opportunities for A.V., the couple relocated the family in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Barbara earned a Master of Library Science degree from University of Oklahoma and became a school librarian, opening both the Eldorado High School and Eisenhower Middle School libraries when the facilities had just been built. She completed her career as librarian for the Albuquerque Evening School at Albuquerque High. Throughout her life Barbara established and maintained close relationships with her sons, who could tell her anything. She loved all kinds of music and would listen to any style with an open mind, and she taught her sons and granddaughters to do this. She did not talk down to anyone. She spoke to children as though they were adults, and would take time to have real conversations with them.

Though she was liberal in her ideals, she was conservative in her lifestyle. She did not use her deep convictions as license to live selfishly but as an instrument to help others. She was a thrifty woman. She was not a socialite and did not waste money on expensive meals, fancy clothing, and possessions. Instead, she preferred a simple existence and only the company of her family and a few close friends. She was a Methodist in her adult life but was not a dogmatic or judgemental individual. She accepted people of all cultures, religions, classes, occupations, and orientations. Barbara and her husband enjoyed over twenty years of retirement. Throughout this time she continued to live for her family. Even when her body was breaking down in her final years and she was suffering in her final months, her first thought was for the wellbeing of her husband.

She adored her two granddaughters and was a wonderful grandmother to them. Near the end, her most passionate regret was that she had so many things she wanted to do with them. Her younger son, Kent, with the help of his wife, Jacque, who has given so much to Barbara and A.V. during the last seventeen years, was able to leave work and take care of his parents during his mother’s final months.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 63 years, A.V. Wall; her son, Kirk Wall, his wife, Tracy Wall, and his daughter, Grace Ann Wall; her son, Kent Wall, his wife, Jacqueline Zander-Wall, and their daughter, Annelise Marie Wall. Near the very end her family, one by one, whispered their love, their thanks, and their ability to go on without her because of what she instilled in them, and, with that, she passed away in their midst. Though her family grieves her loss, Barbara’s commendable example of strength and love will light their way into the future.

Cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, May 15, 2018, 5:00 p.m in the FRENCH – Lomas Chapel. Private Interment will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery the following day.