Midland lost one of its most precious residents this week. Barbara Jacqueline was born on February 9, 1926, to Lawrence F. and Alice (Bryson) Green in Dallas, Texas. She graduated from Highland Park High School in 1943 and began taking classes at Whitworth Jr. College in Brookhaven, Mississippi soon after. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Journalism at Texas Tech University as part of the class of 1947, before graduating from SMU Law School in 1951. During her time at SMU, Barbara fell for a fellow law student, John Culver. After their graduation, the newlyweds moved to the oil boom town of Midland where John’s mother and sister lived. Together they began the private practice of law, forming Culver & Culver. In 1962, she was elected County Judge, becoming the first woman Republican judge in Texas. She served as County Judge for 15 years, and then District Judge for 10 years. In 1988 she was appointed to the Texas Supreme Court by Governor Bill Clements. She served for one year on the highest court in the State of Texas before retiring. The Midland County juvenile detention center became the Culver Youth Home, now named the Barbara Culver Juvenile Justice Center in her honor. Her passion was family law and juvenile law. She was designated a Distinguished Alumni at the SMU Law School as well as Distinguished Alumni from the Multi-Media Department (formerly Journalism) at Texas Tech University. She loved being involved in the County Judges and Commissioners Association, National Association of County Officials, Texas State Judicial Conference of Judges, National Judicial Conference, the National Association of Women Judges, and Texas Supreme Court Historical Society She also enjoyed her local affiliations with the DAR-Aaron Estes Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Colonial Dames of the 17th Century, Midland County Republican Women, and the Contemporary Study Club. She was also a faithful member of First United Methodist Church of Midland. On Armistice Day in 1988, Barbara married Judge Jim Clack of Andrews after John’s passing in 1981. Barbara had the most amazing group of friends, including her “little sisters” Linda George and Evelyn Halvorsen. She loved tea parties and luncheons or any chance to get together with family or friends. The family would like to thank all the special friends who visited her in the hospital or sent their prayers and kind words.Judge Barbara Culver Clack is lovingly survived by her grandchildren, Lawren Robertson (husband Toby & children Kesmond and Addisyn), Reed Culver, Cory Culver (wife Kali and daughter Jacqueline), and John Culver, niece Dianne Lofton, nephew Pat Lofton, and cousins Linda Bowden, Gene Bryson, and Charlotte Bryson.She is preceded in death by her husband, John R. Culver; husband, Judge Jim H. Clack; and her sons, Lawrence Lanier Culver and John Bryson Culver.The family will receive guests from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Friday, September 16, 2016 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Midland. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, September 17, 2016 at First United Methodist Church in Midland. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.,
