Barbara Ruth McGinty

Barbara Ruth McGinty Mother, Friend, the “Big Buzz” The family of Barbara Ruth Baxter McGinty invites you to a celebration of her life and graduation to her Heavenly home. A memorial service will be held Monday, January 14, 2008, 10:00 AM, at Calvary Baptist Church with Pastor James Featherstone officiating. Barbara will lie in state at the Sam Houston Funeral Home from 12-6 PM on Sunday, January 13th, with the family visiting with friends and loved ones from 3-6 PM. Barbara Ruth Baxter McGinty was born on January 13, 1945 in DeKalb, Texas to John Baxter and Mary Jones (Baxter) Sullivan. She passed away peacefully in the early hours of January 10, 2008, in Conroe, Texas, due to complications from pneumonia, with her family close by her side. She was preceded in death by her father, John Baxter; husband, Willard Bateman, Sr.; brother, Charles Baxter; and son, Morris McGinty. She is survived by her mother, Mary Sullivan of Trinity; brother and wife Kenneth and Judy Baxter of Houston; sister and husband Carlene and Bob Taylor of Huntsville; sister-in-law Joan Baxter of Huntsville; son and wife Willard and Buffy Bateman of Huntsville; daughter Mary Cook of Huntsville; son and wife Jerry and Tammy McGinty of Huntsville; son and wife Chris and Staci McGinty of Huntsville; and daughter and husband Virginia “Ginny” and Daniel Shultz of Conroe. Grandchildren include: Amos Baker, Skylar Baker, Macy McGinty, Madison McGinty, Joshua McGinty, Jacob McGinty, Christopher McGinty, Jonah McGinty, and Carson McGinty. Great grandchildren include Jasmine Walker and Jason Walker, Jr. Nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces are also a part of Barbara’s surviving family. The Baxter family moved to Huntsville from DeKalb in 1954, when Barbara was nine years old. A proud member of the HHS marching band playing the cornet, Barbara graduated from Huntsville High School in 1963. Barbara loved working with the elderly, serving as a social worker and activities coordinator at several area nursing homes for many years – not only providing a loving environment for the patients, but teaching her children and their friends the importance of volunteering. The legendary “Big Buzz” which was the original Hornet mascot for HHS was unveiled in 1979, an idea concocted by Barbara and several of her closest friends. She drew the short straw, the suit was designed, constructed and fitted just for her, and the rest is Huntsville history. Barbara always had a story and some very candid advice, whether you wanted to hear it or not. Many students from HHS in the 1980’s & 90’s benefitted from her counsel, her hugs, and her stories. This continued with her grandchildren, and the stories became almost mythical – the fish got a little bigger, the cars got a little faster – but the journeys were always worth it. Isaiah 66:13a reads “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you…” God, thank you for your comfort. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association and the ACS Huntsville/Walker County Relay for Life. You may leave memorial condolences for the family at www.shmfh.com.

Barbara Ruth McGinty

January 13, 1945 - January 14, 2008