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Staff, Barbara Wright

August 26, 1924 –
 July 29, 2019

Obituary

Bobbie Ruth Wright was born to Robert Floyd Wright and Hazel Rose Bishop Wright August 26, 1924 in Godley, Texas. Moving to Fort Worth as a young child, Bobbie Ruth was raised by a village—her mother, four aunts, and one uncle—in a family apartment building owned by Uncle Dave David. All five sisters worked together next door at the downtown restaurant owned by Uncle Dave–the B&B Restaurant. By age 12, Bobbie and her mother moved to Oak Cliff with stepfather Eugene Roundstream. Ever feisty, little Bobbie refused to answer the daily attendance roll call and when challenged, she insisted that the teacher call her Barbara. Bobbie/Barbara’s mother was quite surprised to learn this when, at a ceremony held on the LAST day of FIRST grade, Barbara Ruth Wright was crowned “Queen of Knowledge”. From that day forward, the world knew her as Barbara. The 1941 class of Dallas Technical High School (to become Crozier Tech) yearbook describes Barbara: “Beauty, intelligence, a charming personality and alertness go into the prescription for this year’s ‘Best All Around Girl’ Barbara Wright. Barbara adds blue eyes, blonde hair, and five feet four inches, 109 pounds of vim, vigor and vitality. Completing this prescription, she adds Editor-in-chief of Tech Talk, class secretary, the National Honor Society and three Linz Awards.” Upon graduation, she was honored with a full scholarship to SMU. Though she did not complete her degree at SMU, she was the model for the value of lifelong learning. At nineteen, she met and soon married a handsome serious-minded engineer from Washington State, William Staff. Together they would build a business, raise a family, become political activists and travel the world. As newlyweds, they embraced the adventure of entrepreneurship and began a camera repair business, Staff Laboratories. Bill would dazzle with his expertise while Barbara would wow! the customers with her charm. During WWII, Barbara hand delivered the repaired cameras by traveling by buses across town with a camera around her neck and a baby on her hip. One of Staff Laboratories’ best customers owned a car dealership and while making a camera delivery she talked the owner into moving her to the head of the long wait list enabling them to take delivery of the first new car to arrive in Dallas after the War. Along the way Staff Laboratories joined with a small two-man engineering firm, Haag Engineering. Bill’s camera repair made way for engineering investigation and Barbara remained actively involved. Though secretarial support was always available, Bill would allow Barbara ONLY to type his long–complicated and technical–engineering reports. Barbara made the new electric typewriter whirl throughout the night and by day she served as an active civic volunteer for the Salvation Army, First Baptist Church, Camp Fire Girls, various PTA’s, Parkland Hospital, The Dallas Newcomers Club and the Dallas Historical Society. Barbara wrote the first docent training manual and taught eager tour guides at the newly founded Dallas City Park (now known as Dallas Heritage Village). Her love of history–especially Texas History–blossomed into volunteer stints with the Texas Historical Society and the Texas Historical Commission. Through the Texas Historical Commission Barbara was introduced to the world of politics and, as a result, many were introduced to Barbara. Barbara began her passionate involvement in politics with a new-soon-to-be Congressman–Jim Collins. She became President of Preston West Republican Women’s Club and then the Dallas County Council of Republican Women. Additionally, Barbara worked on the campaigns of Governor Bill Clements, Presidential candidate John Connolly, Congressman Steve Bartlett, Mayoral candidate Tom Dunning, and County Commissioner Jim Jackson. But her most engaged and enthusiastic involvement was with the candidacy of Ronald Reagan. Barbara served as one of three State Chairmen of the Reagan campaign and headed the Texas delegation to the 1976 National Republican Convention. She travelled the State giving speeches, raising funds, and entertaining. After filming a TV ad for Governor Reagan, she (to the horror of her family) dramatically ran through the grocery store aisles mugging and declaring to all “Please, please, no autographs today.” All work was accomplished with great humor and fun. Barbara’s love of politics continued. Her final request was that her voter registration be updated. And it was. As Haag Engineering expanded, work took Barbara and Bill around the world. Back in Dallas, Barbara focused on church, sewing, reading, taking college courses, playing the organ and Bridge. Her Bridge buddies became extended family and she constantly sought an opportunity to expand her family with an additional game. Barbara’s journey of faith never wavered and throughout her life she was an active and contributing member of her neighborhood churches: First Baptist Dallas, Royal Haven Baptist, Prestonwood Baptist, and Saint Andrew Methodist. Her involvement in bible study gave her intellectual stimulation, personal gratification and buoyed her through life’s challenges. Scott Engle’s Bible Study at Saint Andrew was most meaningful to Barbara. Once a week, family members became the audience for her dramatic recitation recapping Scott’s lesson. At Bible Study, Barbara became known for raising her hand during each lesson. She prefaced each question with the imploring, “But…Scott…”  Barbara spent hours embroidering baby quilts and pillowcases on behalf of the Saint Andrew’s Christmas Bizarre and the effort gave her great joy and the opportunity to tour Hobby Lobby frequently. Knowing how important her faith has always been, her son-in-law Paul Causey built Barbara a replicated 1860’s Texas chapel on a hillside at the family property outside of Saint Jo, Texas. Scott Engle dedicated the chapel in the presence of 100 family and friends at her 90th birthday celebration. The chapel stands today as a memorial to Barbara and her faith. Bobbie Ruth survived life’s valleys with dignity and grace and depending when and where you came into her life; you were most probably unaware that she dealt with much. Through all, she taught her family well. She survived her home burning to the ground, she laid under a heavy piece of equipment as a tornado roared through and flattened Staff Laboratories, she kept her daughter’s home running while her first born gallantly fought and lost a lengthy battle with cancer. She survived numerous back surgeries and lived daily with a broken steel rod welded to her spine. She survived her husband’s debilitating stroke and overcame a personal battle with cancer and a heart attack on the Island of Rhodes. By example, Barbara taught lessons in the importance of friends; she stressed the value of lifelong learning; taught that housecleaning is much more fun when done with music blaring. She imparted a love of history, politics, and debate while preaching that the best material possession is a beloved book. She opted to read Norman Vincent Peale’s motivational stories to her children instead of the more traditional bedtime stories. She demonstrated the value of loving good food and showed passionate lifelong loyalty to—Heinz ketchup, vinegar and pickles. She infused humor into the darkest days and showed that you can never have too many clothes, purses and jewelry. Above all, Barbara demonstrated daily the beauty of simple faith, kindness, and joyful living. Barbara left a legacy of fun and family. She was preceded in death by husband William Staff and daughter Barbara Ellen Kimberly. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Susan and Paul Causey, David and Dorothy Kimberly, grandchildren Suellen and Robert Payne, John and Gina Kimberly, Morgan and Jacob Waggoner, and Mackenzie Kate Causey. Barbara’s legacy continues with twelve great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, her beloved June Kieske, Jim and Petey Hale, Liz Weissenborn, her Tradition’s family, Scott and Patty Engle, and our special angel, Ralph McMillan.   A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held Tuesday, August 27th at 1:30 p.m. at Saint Andrew Methodist Church, 5801 Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75093. In lieu of flowers, memorials honoring Barbara may be made to Saint Andrew United Methodist Church, Scott Engle’s Teaching Ministry.   Please leave the family condolences and share memories on this website.  

Arrangements under the direction of:

Aria Cremation Service and Funeral Home

19310 Preston Road

Dallas, Texas 75252

(214) 306-6700

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Testimonials

R. Driver
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"Excellent customer service, they made you feel like you were their only customer. Very helpful and explained what we should expect during the process. They basically took care of our needs during this time. They contacted DFW National Cemetery for us which made it a smooth experience. Definitely will use them again."
K. Barker
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"I was amazed how professional the team at Aria Funeral Preston Dallas Texas are. They guided me through the process and my options of their services that they offered for my mother. They are compassionate, caring, calm, good listener, efficient and did an excellent job! Thank you!"
R. Woll
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"If I could give 6 stars I would. Aria made a difficult easier to deal with by basically taking care of everything in an efficient but very empathetic manner. I can speak highly enough of Dusty Martin, who helped us with all of the planning and logistics. He was incredibly understanding and helpful."
Angel M.
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"Nothing prepares you for the grief you go through when losing a child. I called this funeral home at 2:00 am broken and could barely talk. The amount of compassion and empathy they showed me immediately let me know I found the right place to cremate my son. I cannot thank them enough for their professionalism, SINCERE concern, and commitment to making sure my son was honored in the most respectful way. I hope this Funeral home values her as much as my family and I do."
McGee Family
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"Wayne and Staff, thank you for taking care of the arrangements for our mom, Exter McGee and our dad, Philip McGee. You have been great to work with during such a difficult time."
Elledge Family
Elledge Family
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"On behalf of my family, I wanted you to know how much we appreciate your handling of my husband's final arrangements. Wayne Baxter assisted & guided us through the entire process with such care & compassion. Don't know what we would have done without him! Sincerely, Colleen Elledge"
The Peterson Family
The Peterson FamilyYelp! Review - Northwest Highway 5-Stars
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"I can’t say enough about how helpful and professional Dusty Martin, the funeral director at the Aria Cremation location on NW Highway has been. From my initial call, he was kind and informative. My friend died at home while on hospice and she was picked up in about an hour after receiving the call from the hospice nurse. The person who arrived to pick her up was also very professional/respectful and allowed us to take as much time with her as we wished. When I met with Dusty the next day about arrangements, he explained the process and options available without being pushy or trying to “sell” extras. Throughout the process, he kept me informed and, for example, was careful to be certain I understood the cost of the obituary I wanted and offered some options for reducing that cost if I wished. When I stopped by for another reason and started talking about some of the problems I was having with the pictures and media I hoped to use at a memorial lunch I was planning, he not only listened patiently but offered technology advice and let me use his personal media player. I have had experience arranging cremations for four others using two other local companies, and this experience with Dusty at Aria has been by far the best one I have had."
Paula Barnes
Paula BarnesGoogle Review
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"My Daddy’s service and our family experience at Aria Northwest Highway was truly blessed. Funeral Director Dustin Martin is the kind of person that you would like to see on a more regular basis – but in his industry – you hope to not see him that often. That being said – THANK YOU DUSTIN for your unending kindness, compassion and friendship through the process. Meeting you and discussing Dallas History, Find A Grave and my Dad’s lifelong contributions to the great City of Dallas was simply wonderful! In memory of my dad James A. Dodd, Sr. – I want to personally thank you and let you know that you made everything better in that moment. Your calling to “Be There” is spot on. Aria has a one in a million guy in you! Bling Blinky of TEXAS Shout Out: God Bless You!!"
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Important Information

  1. If death has occurred and or is imminent, please call the Aria location nearest you.

    PRESTON ROAD
    214.306.6700

    NORTHWEST HIGHWAY
    214.340.8008

    BELTLINE ROAD
    972.607.4400

  2. Click here to Download the Cremation Forms.
  3. Have the cremation authorization form notarized
  4. Fax the forms back to us at:
    • NW Highway
      214-340-8009
    • Preston Rd.
      972-526-7410
    • Belt Line Rd.
      972-573-1008
 

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