September 18, 1940 – December 7, 2021
Barbara Nell Jacobson lived her life in service to others and was an inspiration to her family and friends. That inspiration shone bright even through her valiant battle against a cruel cancer and up to the moment that she was called home by her Lord on December 7, 2021.
She was born on September 18, 1940 in San Augustine, Texas to Joe and Margie Anders. She lived much of her childhood in Kountze, Texas, where they knew her as "Nell". She married her husband of 63 years, Bobby Jacobson, and moved to the Houston area soon after graduating from Kountze High School.
Barbara attended college part-time while raising two young sons – studying in the pre-dawn hours before the rapscallions began their daily rampage. After graduating from the University of Houston with a degree in Speech and English, she began a 31-year career teaching English at Pasadena High School. But her students learned a lot more than English. "Mrs. J" taught them how to put their God-given abilities to work, not only to achieve their highest ambitions, but to make our world a better place. During her tenure at PHS, Barbara served as faculty sponsor for student government, Homecoming, and many other extra-curricular activities. She was universally loved by students and colleagues alike. After retirement, she devoted time to community activities, including serving as President of Tri-County Republican Women’s Club. But her favorite activity in her later years was doting over her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They could always count on "Memee" for fun, food, laughter, advice, comfort, and unconditional love. As one of her grandsons put it: "the best grandma ever." Indeed, she was the rock of her family and will be sorely missed.
Barbara leaves behind her devoted husband, Bobby; sons Jeff (Paula) and Malcolm (Laura); grandchildren Jennifer (Stewart) Schaefer, Jaymee Jacobson, Shannon (Luis) Montalvo, Colin (Elizabeth) Jacobson, Jared Jacobson, Ryan (Kaitlin) Martin, Kristen (Nick) Peña; great-grandchildren Scarlett McAvoy, Bella Peña, Vivienne Schaefer, and Arie Martin; and brothers Gerald Anders and Jimmy Anders. She was preceded in death by parents Joe and Margie Anders, and siblings Tommy Anders, JoAnn Dorsett, David Anders, and Joe Anders, Jr.
Barbara’s colorful life will be celebrated with a visitation with the family on Monday, December 13, 2021 from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M., and a funeral service at 10:00 A.M. the following day, Tuesday, December 14, 2021. Both the visitation and funeral will be held at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home, 311 N Friendswood Dr., Friendswood, Texas 77546, (281) 992-7200.
In lieu of flowers, Barbara asked that family and friends consider donating to a scholarship endowment set up in her name for aspiring teachers at Lone Star College. To give online: www.lonestar.edu/giving/donate-general-donation.htm. Please specify "Barbara Jacobson Legacy Scholarship for Future Teachers" in the Additional Comments section. To give by check: LSC Foundation, 5000 Research Forest Dr, CB.232, The Woodlands, TX 77381 (specify the above fund in the memo line).
Condolences may be sent to the Jacobson family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at www.jeterfuneralhome.com.
4 thoughts on “Barbara Nell Jacobson”
Mrs. Jacobson was my teacher in high school in the early 80's. I always liked her and thought of her often over the years. Prayers for her family and friends.
Bobby,
I’m so sorry for your loss but by the grace of God , Barbara did finally get to go home! I’ll still be praying for you and your family and hopefully we will still be playing our Words with Friends! May God bless and keep you and your family safe, Jamie!
It was a blessing for me to have been on the faculty with Barbara at Pasadena HS. Her great work as a teacher will be far reaching in those who were in her class. My prayers for her family.
Barbara, who I knew as Nell, was a lovely person and the wife of my cousin, Bob. My thoughts and prayers are with all her family.