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A View Of Columbus Through Rose-Colored Glasses
This column is dedicated to acknowledging examples of positives that express the community spirit of Columbus, - our town.
I hope that you do know Shirley Barfield, and we will agree that she is an amazing woman. What a pleasure, upon meeting Shirley, I found a person who loved Abilene, TX. It was neat to hear Shirley’s comments about Abilene. You see, Shirley came to Abilene to attend Abilene Christian College which is one of my alma maters. Her exact quote, “I thought my parents had sent me to the end of the world.” The reason behind her feeling was that her home had been Riverside, CA!
Her feelings about Texas changed dramatically. It was there that she met Todd Barfield. Together, Abilene became one of their favorite places. Dr. Barfield later became a trustee of ACC. There were many happy times with friends that they made in college. Attending the “Sing Song” was one of their favorite events. After college, there was a stint in the Navy. Next came their time in Houston where Shirley taught in Bellaire. She loved her school and their life. Dr Barfield settled in and started to build a clinic. Then, Dr. Barfield met Dr. Youens from Columbus, TX. They became friends, and Dr. Youens insisted that Dr. Barfield join him at his clinic in Columbus.
Shirley certainly did not agree. She loved her Houston friends and her school. It was only after Dr. Barfield was invited to hunt in the Columbus area that he became rather persistent with Shirley about a move. Next came a party where the Barfields met Columbus folks that helped lead them to eventually agree to Dr. Youens’ offer – a decision they never regretted. Columbus became home and those friends became forever friends.
They chose a location for a new home and started with one story. That home is still Shirley’s residence after four additions. The Barfields with two children. Paige and Trey, their daughter and son, are a beautiful part of Shirley’s life. Another part of Shirley’s life was when Thurman West taught her to be a pilot. The Barfields owned a plane and delighted in many trips, especially to Colorado. Shirley was a busy lady. Besides her role as a mom to Paige and Trey, she served as president of the CISD School Board and the Columbus Garden Club.
In remembering the early years, Shirley enjoyed talking about Fehrenkamp’s Grocery Store. She ordered groceries twice a week and they were delivered to her home. If Shirley was not there, they would be carefully placed in the refrigerator if necessary.
If in fact, Shirley had planned a trip to Houston, she would request cash from Fehrenkamps for her trip, and cash would arrive in a little bag with a little accounting note. This convenience saved Shirley a trip to the bank.
Her social life included many delightful lunches with Mae West (Shirley noted that Mae did not share recipes; however, she promised one to me... it was published once, thus no foul play).
Shirley and Mae shared a gift shop on the second floor of West Pharmacy. At the market, Shirley pushed Mae in a wheelchair. Shirley later had a small gift shop downtown. She obviously loves pretty things.
At 93 years of age, Shirley still enjoys a social life. She still drives and still enjoys friends such as Jo Lou Parks. Jo Lou describes Shirley as one of her dearest friends who will always be the first to do what is needed. The final summation about Shirley is SHIRLEY, YOU ARE AMAZING!!!
