Barbara Graf

Barbara Ann Polk was born February 11, 1940 in Falls County, Texas.  She passed away to her heavenly home on May 27, 2022.

Barbara was the daughter of Leta Laughlin Polk and Joe Ladd Polk of Eddy, Texas.

Barbara was baptized in 1951 at First Baptist Church, Eddy, Texas.  She graduated from Eddy High School in 1958.  On June 28, 1958 Barbara married her childhood sweetheart, Billy Graf, at the bride’s home.

Barbara worked at Cox’s Department Store in Waco and various banks in Waco, Copperas Cove, and Temple in the early years.  In later years Barbara worked in the fabric department of Walmart in Waco, and at the Eddy and Bruceville Post Offices.

Barbara had various interests and hobbies including being a church pianist, reading, sewing, painting, and small woodworking projects.  She loved to go to the Temple Public Library annual book sale and estate sales with her husband.

Barbara was never without at least one small dog in her home.  She loved to spoil and treat her many dogs.  Barbara loved hummingbirds and had numerous feeders in her backyard.  Barbara was a great believer in college education and provided encouragement and financial support to her daughters and granddaughters through their college years.

Barbara and Billy raised two daughters, Teresa Graf Buck and Deena Graf Teakell.  Following the unexpected death of Barbara’s youngest daughter, Barbara and Billy raised Deena’s two daughters as their own. Barbara has four granddaughters – Barbara Teakell Sodek , Brenda Teakell, Lianne Buck Quinn and Alyssa Buck.  She also has three great-granddaughters -- Brianna, Kaitlynn, and Braylee -- and three great-grandsons – Caydn, Kyler, and Corbyn.

Barbara loved to laugh and had a great zest for life whether she was exploring Europe with her husband, making numerous vacation trips to Six Flags with her children and later her grandchildren, shelling bushels of peas and shucking corn, eating out at her favorite restaurants La Fiesta and Heitmiller Steakhouse, going camping on family reunions, or playing dominoes around the table with family and friends.

Barbara was preceded in death by her sister, Jodene Polk Scott, and her two brothers J. W. Polk and Cecil Polk.  She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Billy Douglas Graf, of Eddy, Texas.