Barbara Brunner

Banquete and Corpus Christi, Texas On April 6, 2015, Barbara Laine Brunner's kind, gentle, thoughtful, loving spirit left this earth, at the age of 84, in Corpus Christi, surrounded by her loving family. She was born November 13, 1930, in Robstown, TX to John James French and Lenna Lee French Bengtson. Barbara attended Robstown High School and graduated from Texas A&I College with a BS degree in Elementary Education. She started teaching in 1951 at De Zavala School in Corpus Christi for a year, then married her husband of 63 years, R.E. Brunner, on August 23, 1952, in Robstown. After leaving teaching to have their four children, she returned to teach 3rd and 4th graders at Banquete Elementary School for the next 25 years. She leaves behind to cherish her memories her husband, Richard E. Brunner of Banquete; sons, Richard T. Brunner and his his wife, Benita, of Corpus Christi, James “Jim” Brunner and his his wife, Geneva of Orange Grove, John Brunner of Banquete and beloved girlfriend, Lucero Tellez of Corpus Christi; daughter, Robbe Brunner and her beloved boyfriend, Mark Henricks of Austin; granddaughter, Shea Lynn Brunner-Gonzales of Kingsville; great-granddaughter, Brianna Brunner of Kerrville. She also leaves her beloved kitty, Jasmine and many many beloved friends, relatives and former students. Barbara was a member of Delta Theta sorority, with many lifelong friendships. She was also a member of DAR, Daughters of the American Revolution, and was on the Board of Directors of the Robstown Area Historical Association. Baking and cooking were one of her great talents, and she was famous for her buttermilk pies and banana bread. She put together a cherished cookbook of her favorite recipes as gifts to friends and relatives. She loved to surround herself with beauty, by imaginatively decorating for holidays, going on antiquing adventures with friends searching for treasures for her home and creating gifts of floral arrangements for friends and relatives. Visitation will be held Thursday, April 9, 2015, from 5-7 pm at Sawyer-George Funeral Home, 12497 Leopard St., Corpus Christi, TX. Chapel service will be conducted on Friday, April 10, 2015 at 3 pm at Sawyer-George Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2015, at 2 pm at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Flatonia, TX. The family wishes to thank the caregivers of Gifted Hands of Love at Harbor Place Retirement Community, especially Kathy, Jessica and Miss Lee. The patience and attentiveness they gave so freely were blessings to all involved. The family also wishes to thank the dedicated staff and nurses at Christus Spohn South for their professional, kind and compassionate care given to Barbara and the Corpus Christi Fire Department for their prompt response, professionalism and care. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made by donating in Barbara's honor to South Texas Children's Home, the Humane Society or the charity of your choice.