Barbara Belk

Barbara Ann Spivey Belk
January 22, 1943 – October 3, 2024

Barbara Belk, 81, peacefully passed away in her home in Waco, on October 3, 2024.

Barbara was born on Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX to Bailey and Viola Spivey. As an Air Force brat, she traveled the world before her dad retired and moved his family to Lometa, TX. Having always wanted to be a teacher, she enrolled in Southwest Texas State, where she was a member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority. Upon graduation and marriage, she moved to Turkey and began teaching at the embassy. She would go on to teach for the Department of Defense, Waco Business College, Reicher Catholic High School, St. Louis Elementary and finish by teaching 32 years of 6th grade English or Math for Midway. During her time, she took on so many students and first year teachers to help encourage a love for teaching. She loved the teaching profession, and the friends made through the years. In retirement, she was busier than ever, volunteering two days a week at the school library, the Scholastic warehouse and Waco McLennan Retired Teachers.

While we were living in Germany, she was introduced to decorative painting, which would become a lifelong hobby and passion. Whether it was a plate, hat box, watering can, ornament or any flat surface, she could paint it. Taking classes and being part of the artist community fed her soul and challenged her. Zoom classes were the best thing to come out of Covid for her as she could take even more from the comforts of home and not “have to haul her supplies” everywhere, while connecting with her community.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Nancy. Her survivors include her daughter, Ricci Ann; son-in-law, Shawn Dunn; and grandson Hayden. Hayden was by far her greatest pride and joy and she loved being his BB more than anything!

“Life isn’t meant to be easy, it’s meant to be lived. Sometimes happy, sometimes rough, but with every up and down, you learn lessons that make you strong” - Snoopy, Charles M. Schultz

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Shriners Hospital for Children or Waco McLennan Retired Teachers Assoc (WMRTA PO Box 21566 Waco, TX 76702)

You may share a memory or send a message to the family at: www.oakcrestwaco.com

I would like to extend a special thank you to Melinda Hawkins for everything & her daily phone calls, as well as Kathy Hunter and Mary Patrick for being her best neighbors for more than 50 years.