Barbara Jean (Sikes) Young

Barbara Jean Young, 93, of Waco, Texas went to be with her heavenly father on October 26, 2024. She was born on November 29, 1930, in Marlin, Texas to Elic Nolen Sikes and Vernal “Valley” Hay Sikes. She was a proud sister to six siblings: Ruth, Virginia, Betty, Patsy, Buddy, and Willis.

Barbara retired from the Owens-Illinois Glass Plant after 32 years of service. She and her husband, Porter, enjoyed their happiest times at their home on Blue Cut Road in Moody, Texas, watching their grandchildren catch catfish in their tank and entertaining family, until his passing in 1999.

Barbara was an avid reader and spent countless hours engaged in a good book. One of her favorite pastimes was going to WinStar with family, it was at WinStar that she celebrated her 90th birthday.

Anyone that knew Barbara would tell you that she was a strong, independent, generous, stubborn and opinionated woman.

She raised four children as a single parent and lived by herself until the last few months of her life. There were a few subjects that would elicit a fierce debate and the stubborn and opinionated would become evident. As a lifelong Texas Longhorn fan, never tell her that Baylor was going to beat them and as a lifelong Democrat, never get into a political debate.

As you remember Barbara, these are the things we want you to remember and smile, not the last few months of her life when age and disease overshadowed the person that she actually was.

Barbara is survived by her children: Buck (Dana) Wilson, Juanice (Lowell) Anderson, Larry (Deborah) Wilson, and Wink (Debbie) Wilson; sister, Patsy Willis; 10 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Per Barbara’s wishes, she will be cremated and her ashes spread at a later date.

Forever Loved, Forever Remembered.