Barbara Jean (Derryberry) Hannon

Barbara Hannon was born August 12th, 1933 in Woodville, Texas. She was the daughter of Henry and Thelma Derryberry and was the eldest child of four siblings; Dorrie, Donald and Dottie Kay. She was a multi-faceted person having served in the military; as the mother of five children; as an academic and avid reader as well as a career professional serving our nation’s  veterans.  Barbara entered the Air Force in 1956 after finishing High School and met her future husband, Daniel L. Hannon, during her service at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. They were married soon after and welcomed a daughter, Sharon in 1957 and then, son Robert, 1958, while still serving in the Air Force. They moved to Athens Georgia following the completion of their service in order for Daniel to complete his undergraduate studies. They welcomed Michele in 1961. In 1962, the young family moved to New Orleans in order for husband Daniel to pursue his PhD in Theater from Tulane University. In 1963 the couple welcomed their fourth child, Michael. The family then moved to California where husband Daniel held a position as a Professor of Theater at the University of California.  In 1967 the family moved to Toledo, Ohio where husband Dan had obtained a new position as a Theater Professor. Barbara worked hard on taking care of her young family but also wanted to pursue her own education. She achieved a long-held goal of obtaining her Undergraduate degree from the University of Toledo as well as helping her husband to complete his PhD studies. Additionally, Barbara worked as a Costume Designer during this time creating costumes for a number of the plays pr                                                                                     In1973, the family welcomed their fifth child, Daniel Sean, soon after moving to Kent, Ohio where husband, Dan had obtained a new position as a Theater Professor at Kent State University. Barbara also pursued her master’s degree during this time, while nurturing five children and continuing to support her husband’s work. In 1980, Barbara and her husband as well as sons, Michael and Sean moved to San Marcos, Texas and lived there until 2016. Barbara took a position as Veterans Affairs Director at Texas State University and retired from that position in . She and her husband, Dan spent their retirement years traveling internationally and camping at National Parks across the United State                                                                                                                      Barbara was the proud grandmother of three grandsons -Gabe and Alex Rios (Hannon) as well as Emory Hannon. She was a loving step-grandmother to Kara and Lauren Oliver as well; daughters of Dr. Trish Oliver, son Sean’s wife. She was a very strong person who fervently believed in the ability of women to accomplish anything they set their minds to. She was a feminist long before it was fashionable to do so and believed in setting goals and achieving them. She was delighted to celebrate 58 years of marriage with her husband, Dan, who pre-deceased her in 2015. She lived with her daughter Michele in Toledo, Ohio from 2016 to the date of her passing with support from her son Robert and daughter-in-law Anita Rios.  She will be missed by her family and all those that knew her. Our prayer is that she finds peace in the next part of her journey and will be re-united with her lost love, husband,Daniel.                                                                                       She is survived by brother Donald Derryberry; sister Dottie Kay; daughter, Sharon Hannon and son-in-law, Mark Macomber; son Robert Hannon, wife Anita Rios and grandsons, Gabe and Alex; daughter Michele Hannon; son Michael Hannon; son Sean Hannon, wife Trish Oliver and children, Kara and Lauren Oliver and Emory Hannon. Additionally, by loving, loyal companion “Chico;” devoted dog and best friend. Gifts in memory of Barbara should be given to the MS Society. Online condolences to reebfuneralhome.com

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