Barbara Louise Rector

Barbara Louise (Baldock) Rector

November 1, 1934 – September 20, 2025

Barbara L. Rector, 90, passed from this life on September 20th, 2025, in Corpus Christi, TX. Barbara was born November 1st, 1934, in Synder, Oklahoma to the late Marvin Olney and Sally Ruth Baldock.

For a short while, the family lived in Old Ophir, Colorado so her father could work in the Alta-Gold King mine.

The young family moved to Rifle, Colorado when Barbara was four years old. At this time, she was introduced and fell in love with National Geographic Magazines. This love for reading continued throughout her life and those magazines were still coming to her house as of present.

The family then moved to DeBeque, Colorado living on a ranch with cattle, sheep, and hogs. Barbara was the oldest of three children. Her two younger brothers, Jessie and Lester, were her first childhood friends. She would often say she was going to make sure she could do anything and everything else the boys could do as well on the farm.

One afternoon, Barbara and her brothers went swimming in the river. Barbara noticed that her brother Lester had gone downstream and was bobbing up and down. She initially thought he was playing a good prank on her, however she quickly realized that he was in trouble and drowning. Barbara ran down stream, pulled Lester out of the river, saving his life. A story they both still remembered well later in life.

The family was on the move again, and this time south to Floyd, New Mexico. Olney’s brother and father had purchased a piece of land to grow crops. With the larger part of the family already there, Olney and Sally decided to make the move and give it a shot. Their first year growing wheat was such a success, they purchased the farm themselves. Barbara lived in Floyd for her remaining childhood years and graduated from Floyd High School in 1952.

While in High School, Barbara met her future husband and High School sweetheart, Jerry Rector. After graduation, they were married on February 6th, 1953. To this union was born their son, Verlin Rector in 1954 and their daughter, Jennifer Rector in 1956.

Now with their young family to raise, they moved to Denver, Colorado where Jerry was to become a gun smith. With raising a family and earning an income necessary, Jerry’s dream did not come to fruition and the family again moved to Durango, Colorado, and a few short years later, moved again to Aztec, New Mexico which became their long-time home while raising their children.

Barbara loved to garden, a skill that followed her throughout her life, and she was known for her beautiful rose garden, and vegetable garden she grew. Barbara was always quite the snappy dresser and even while gardening, she always looked her best.

In 1983, the marriage between Jerry and Barbara came to an end. Barbara, being strong-willed and driven, set out on a new path and adventure in life. With this came her lifelong dream to earn a college degree. At 52 years young, this dream came to pass, and she earned her Associates of Applied Science degree on May 8th, 1987 from San Juan Community College in Farmington, New Mexico.

After graduating college, Barbara was hired on for the college as the Board of Director secretary. Still feeling unsettled, and with that other lifelong dream in mind to move to the ocean, with gentle breezes and endless seashells to be found.

In 1988, Barbara loaded herself up and with the help from her older brother Jessie, she moved to Corpus Christi. Upon arriving and realizing this dream had happened, Barbara would pack a lunch basket every Saturday morning and head to Mustang State Park to gather shells and take in the beauty of the water she long desired. She searched for the “special” shells and kept her eyes peeled for that perfect, but scarce, whole sand dollar waiting to be found. She would spend her entire day here and loved every minute of it.

When Barbara first arrived in Corpus, she signed up with a temp agency to find work. Having numerous and different jobs at first, she often said those times were a lot of fun meeting so many new people. After about a year or two, she was hired on with the State of Texas and worked there until her retirement in 2003. She made many lasting friendships here.

After retirement, in her typical fashion, she stayed busy gardening, volunteering, and had many luncheons to attend with her friends. On Saturday evenings, she enjoyed getting dressed and attending the local baseball games. At 69, Barbara joined a gym and would walk 6 – 10 miles every day and continued until her late 80’s.

The Baldock family started a reunion in 1951 that is still going strong today at 74 years. Barbara loved her time at the reunions with a larger-than-life family. They enjoyed treasure hunts, style shows, and laughter so loudly it could scare the bears away.

She was a life-long member of the Primitive Baptist Church and attended services faithfully throughout her life.

Barbara is survived by her son, Verlin (Beverly) Rector; daughter Jennifer Smith; brother, Lester (Marjorie) Baldock; along with 7 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and numerous friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Olney and Sally Baldock; brother, Jessie Baldock; and husband, Jerry Rector.

As the sun has set on Barbara’s life, she will be remembered for her laughter, go forward and experience attitude, and love. From her youthful years to numerous adventures throughout life, Barbara lived her story, and oh… what a story it was. She has gone forward ahead of us, and we can be assured the laughter and adventures continue with those who were already waiting for her.

Until we see her again, this is not goodbye, it is see you later.

On Saturday, October 4th, 2025, a Funeral Service for Barbara will be held at Mirador Retirement Community, located at 5857 Timbergate Dr., Corpus Christi, TX 78414, at 11:00 AM. A Graveside Service will follow at a later date in Floyd, NM. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a Charity of your choice.

To leave your condolences for the family of Barbara L. Rector, share your memories, or visit her tribute wall, please go to www.trevinofuneralhome.net.