Barbara Louise Luckett

BARBARA HALAS STOKER LUCKETT July 26, 1954 - October 10, 2024 After a valiant fight, Barbara succumbed to complications from Multiple Sclerosis on October 10, 2024, at CC Young Hospice in Dallas. She had her best friend, biggest fan, life-long love, and tireless caregiver, Ken, by her side. Barbara Louise Halas Stoker Luckett was born to Lloyd and Shirley Halas on July 26, 1954, in Aberdeen, MD., while Lloyd served in the United States Army. For the first nine years of her life, Barbara lived with her beloved older sister, Libi, at various posts, including several years in Huntsville, Alabama, Okinawa, Japan, Oberwerrn, Germany, and, finally, El Paso, Texas. At an early age, she experienced and embraced many cultures. The Halas family settled in El Paso, TX, in 1963, which Barbara would proudly call her hometown for the rest of her life. During her early years in El Paso, she made countless lifelong friends in school and at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Barbara graduated from Burges High School in 1972. At Burges, she honed her skills as a gifted singer and member of the main and A cappella choirs. She continued to bless the world with her beautiful mezzo-soprano throughout her life. El Paso is also where she met the two loves of her life. In 1974, she met and married William “Craig” Stoker, and they moved to Jackson, Mississippi, and Katy, TX, over the next several years. Barbara and Craig had two sons, Andrew Craig (1975) and William Trent (1977). Tragically, Craig died in 1979. Barbara moved back to El Paso later that year, where she would continue to raise their young family. She was a fiercely loving mother, protective of her young sons, and supported them in all their activities. Barbara stepped back into singing and introduced Andy and Trent to the church by rejoining St. Paul’s UMC. She met and fell in love for the second time with another St. Paul’s UMC choir member, Kenneth E. Luckett Jr. (Ken). Ken added two daughters to the family: Lea Luckett and Laura Luckett Porter. Barbara attended UTEP, worked in a friend’s gift shop, and traveled with family. Barbara also rekindled her passion for fine arts and honed her painting skills over the next two decades. She painted countless landscapes, most of which she kindly gifted to friends and family. Many of her oils and pastels hang proudly on their walls today. Ken retired from his dedicated career with the Army Garrison at White Sands Missile Range in 1997. He and Barbara designed and built their dream house in New Braunfels, TX, and spent many wonderful years with friends in the neighborhood and First UMC New Braunfels. Barbara was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1990. She fought it valiantly and with dignity; never ceasing to build her body up with swimming and physical therapy. Due to advancing symptoms, Barbara and Ken moved to CC Young Senior Living in Dallas, TX, at the end of 2017. Barbara immediately became a favorite resident by making friends and creating custom birthday, sympathy, and welcome cards for residents and staff members. Additionally, her creative writings won several awards at annual art competitions. She and Ken have made many dear friends at CC Young and as members of First UMC Dallas. Barbara is survived by her beloved husband, Ken, sons Andy (Megan) and Trent (Amy), stepdaughters Lea Luckett and Laura Porter (Russ), and eight grandchildren, who gave her so much joy over the past 21 years of her life.