Barbara Ann Gore

Barbara Ann Biggerstaff Gore (85), passed away June 21, 2023 at Texoma Medical Center following an illness. Barbara was born December 13, 1937, in Bonham Texas to W.E. Biggerstaff, Jr and Betty Lou Campbell Biggerstaff. Barbara graduated from Bonham High School in 1956. In 1960, she earned a Bachelor of Education degree from Texas Christian University (TCU) and a Master's in Education from East Texas State University in 1967. She served as a 2nd lieutenant in the US Marine Corps following graduation from TCU until June 1961. She married Robert F. ("Pudge") Gore on January 27,1961 at Parris Island, South Carolina. Pudge continued his Marine Corps service, and they were transferred to Quantico, VA where their children, William ("Bill") Bonham Gore (November 29, 1961) and Sally Ann Gore (October 11, 1962) were born. The Marine Corp took them to Oahu, Hawaii and Cherry Point, NC. In 1974, Barbara and Pudge divorced but remained friends. She and the kids returned to Bonham, where Barbara taught at Bailey English Elementary School.  In 1981, Barbara moved to Iraan, Texas, teaching various grades at the elementary school. She remained in Iraan until she retired from teaching in 1994. Following retirement, Barbara returned to her beloved Bonham, TX.

Barbara was known for her love of reading, playing bridge, Texas History, and the arts. In retirement, she served as a member of the Texas Retired Teachers Association, on the board of the Friends of Sam Rayburn, a member of the Fannin County Historic Commission, and the Thursday afternoon Literary Club. In her free time, she played bridge, golf and tennis; volunteered at Fort English, the VA, and the Bonham Creative Arts Center, where she honed her skills as a painter, and spent numerous hours teaching her grand nieces and nephews about Texas history.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, W.E. Biggerstaff Jr and Betty Lou Biggerstaff, and her children, William Bonham Gore (died Nov 23, 1986) and Sally Ann Gore Farris (died Nov 24, 1986).

She is survived by her sisters, Mary Rebecca ("Becky") Wingo of Sandy UT; Dr. Patti Ruth Gault of Ventura CA; and Betty Lynn Mikelatos (Makis) of Ventura CA; 4 nieces; 3 nephews; and a number of great nieces and nephews.

The family will receive visitors at Wise Funeral Home Monday July 10, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday July 11, 2023, at 3:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Bonham, Bro. Ken Ussery officiating. Interment will follow at Willow Wild Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be provided to the Creative Arts Center.