Barbara Underwood Blackbird
of Hunt, TX
December 6, 1939 - March 17, 2026
- Obituary
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Barbara Underwood Blackbird was born in Houston, Texas on December 6, 1939, to Ruth and Harris Underwood. She passed away at the age of 86 on March 17, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.
Growing up, Barbara spent summers at her Papo's farm near the San Jacinto Monument, where she would ride her horse, Chum. She also would visit Wimberley, Texas, where she and her best friend would swim in Cypress Creek and ride horses. She went to the University of Oklahoma, where she met the love of her life, Roy Blackbird, of Houston. They were married August 25th, 1961.
Barbara was always active in her community, no matter where she lived. She worked as a Bayou Bend docent in Houston, where she became an expert in antiques. She was very involved in The Theta Antique Show and a member of the Houston Junior League. In the hill country, Barbara volunteered for the Hill Country Youth Ranch and the Christian Women's Job Corps. She was always ready to help, wherever she went.
Barbara and her husband, Roy, who was in ranch real estate, would travel around Texas and later New Mexico looking at potential land investments. They enjoyed over 50 years together, going to the ranch on the weekends with their children, looking at cattle, riding horses, and enjoying the beauty of the land. They also spent a lot of time in one of their favorite places, Taos, New Mexico. Barbara's life was always full of family, fun times, and the many friends she met everywhere she went. Barbara will be remembered as a strong, kind, and generous woman with an inner light and a ready smile. She had a soft spot in her heart for animals, nature, and above all, her three children and eight grandchildren. She cared deeply for all those around her and lived a life full of grace and love.
Barbara was a strong Christian and was the embodiment of Christ's peace and love. She was a longtime member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Kerrville. She also regularly attended St. John's Episcopal Church in Sonora and St. James Episcopal Church in Taos, New Mexico.
Barbara is survived by her children, Royle Brian Blackbird and wife, Chelsea and Brooke Blackbird Zarbaugh and husband, Matt. She is survived by her beloved grandchildren, Hutcher and Kate Bryan, Ben, Beau, and Blair Blackbird, and Scarlett, Samuel, and Maggie Zarbaugh.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Roy, her daughter, Beth, and son in law, Hutch.
A memorial service will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Kerrville, Texas on Saturday, April 11th at 11:00. The family invites you to a reception immediately following the service in Tucker Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Hill Country Youth Ranch at https://www.youth-ranch.org/ or to a charity of your choice.
Growing up, Barbara spent summers at her Papo's farm near the San Jacinto Monument, where she would ride her horse, Chum. She also would visit Wimberley, Texas, where she and her best friend would swim in Cypress Creek and ride horses. She went to the University of Oklahoma, where she met the love of her life, Roy Blackbird, of Houston. They were married August 25th, 1961.
Barbara was always active in her community, no matter where she lived. She worked as a Bayou Bend docent in Houston, where she became an expert in antiques. She was very involved in The Theta Antique Show and a member of the Houston Junior League. In the hill country, Barbara volunteered for the Hill Country Youth Ranch and the Christian Women's Job Corps. She was always ready to help, wherever she went.
Barbara and her husband, Roy, who was in ranch real estate, would travel around Texas and later New Mexico looking at potential land investments. They enjoyed over 50 years together, going to the ranch on the weekends with their children, looking at cattle, riding horses, and enjoying the beauty of the land. They also spent a lot of time in one of their favorite places, Taos, New Mexico. Barbara's life was always full of family, fun times, and the many friends she met everywhere she went. Barbara will be remembered as a strong, kind, and generous woman with an inner light and a ready smile. She had a soft spot in her heart for animals, nature, and above all, her three children and eight grandchildren. She cared deeply for all those around her and lived a life full of grace and love.
Barbara was a strong Christian and was the embodiment of Christ's peace and love. She was a longtime member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Kerrville. She also regularly attended St. John's Episcopal Church in Sonora and St. James Episcopal Church in Taos, New Mexico.
Barbara is survived by her children, Royle Brian Blackbird and wife, Chelsea and Brooke Blackbird Zarbaugh and husband, Matt. She is survived by her beloved grandchildren, Hutcher and Kate Bryan, Ben, Beau, and Blair Blackbird, and Scarlett, Samuel, and Maggie Zarbaugh.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Roy, her daughter, Beth, and son in law, Hutch.
A memorial service will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Kerrville, Texas on Saturday, April 11th at 11:00. The family invites you to a reception immediately following the service in Tucker Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Hill Country Youth Ranch at https://www.youth-ranch.org/ or to a charity of your choice.