Barbara Louise Antle

Barbara Louise (Willis) Antle, 87, passed away Saturday, February 15, 2020 in Graham. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 19, 2020 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home. Memorial services will be Thursday, February 20, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church.

Barbara was born in Dallas to the late Harold Pierce Willis and Sherman (Houseman) Willis on May 24, 1932. Barbara graduated from Highland Park High School in 1949. She took classes at SMU but mainly studied and taught ballet at the Highland Park School of Dance for many years. She began teaching ballet while still in high school, and continued her ballet career by studying in New York and Los Angeles before returning to Dallas. Barbara met and began dating Harold Edward Antle in 1952 and they were married on November 21, 1953 at Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas.

Barbara and Ed initially made their home in Dallas where they were blessed by the birth of their daughter Melaney Kay in January of 1955. In May 1958 their first son William Robert was born and it was during that same year they moved to Graham where Ed's company was drilling and developing oil and gas assets nearby. Barbara and Ed were blessed with a second son, Michael Lee in December 1959, which completed their family of five. Soon after moving to Graham Barbara began teaching ballet and tap classes, and did so for well over 20 years.

While on earth, Barbara loved her Lord, His people and her church family. Even as a child, Barbara knew she needed a Savior, that Jesus Christ was the Savior, and that His finished work on the cross on her behalf was her only hope to live life with Him in eternity. Although she lived life filled with service to others, she looked at those good deeds as ordinary duties in light of what her Savior had done for her. If there was ever any spotlight or praise directed towards her she wanted it deflected from herself to her Savior and / or others. She was a Presbyterian all her believing life for two reasons - because it was the church to where God led her when she was a child, and because she loved God's grace. She was a faithful member of her Bible study "Circle" for decades, served on many committees at her church, and served Graham Area church women in numerous capacities.

Barbara loved serving others. In truth, Barbara majored in "others". If you happened to come into her world Barbara had a way of letting you know you mattered - a whole lot. Her children's friends often felt as though they had a second mom and anyone who entered her door was made to feel welcome and important. In addition to the above, Barbara served with Meals on Wheels service where she was a team captain for over 45 years.

In addition to service, Barbara loved the arts. The ballet, symphonies, operas, concerts, drama, musicals, art shows - all these she loved and supported financially, and with her time. She served on the board of the Graham Concert Association, The Old Post Office Museum, the Graham Library Board, and others. She also loved to read and was constantly finishing a book and / or starting a new one.

Barbara's life is a testament to God's grace. May He receive all the praise and glory for His gift of Barbara Antle.

Barbara was preceded in death by her daughter Melaney Kay Gillaspie Antle, who passed away June 6, 2003, sisters Sherman Frank and Betty King, and brother Jack Houseman. She is survived by her husband Harold Edward Antle, 2 sons, Mike Antle of Corinth, Bob Antle and wife Nikki of Graham, two grandchildren Robert Antle and wife Amber of Campbell, CA, Johnny Antle and wife Christy of Charlotte, NC, and two great grandchildren, Joshua and Kara, also of Charlotte, NC and two adopted grandchildren, Nathan Pinson of Graham and Quinton Pinson of Denver, CO.

Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels or American Cancer Society.