Barbara Marland has lived in the Ridgecrest area for over forty years and was an early supporter of the Ridgecrest Civic Club serving at one time as secretary of the organization. During her involvement with the Ridgecest Civic Club she was instrumental in helping to develop the Deed Restrictions for the area. Her work with the Stewart Title Company gave her access to important information that was needed in the development of the area’s Deed Restrictions.
Barbara has led an interesting life and has many delightful stories to tell. She was born in Phenix City, Alabama and graduated from Columbia High School in 1955. After graduation she joined the Air Force and was stationed in San Antonio.
Music has always been an important part of her life. When still a child she took piano lessons and then played alto sax in the High School Band and when she joined the Air Force she also played alto sax with the Air Force Band. Barbara met her husband, Charles Marland, in the Air Force and they purchased a home in San Antonio. After she left the service she went to work for Stewart Title Company in their real estate office. She continued to work for them until she retired at the age of sixty-five.
Stewart Title transferred her to their Houston office in 1972 and she purchased the home on Cedel Drive where she currently lives. She has two children, Charles and Carol who grew up in the Spring Branch area. Charles lives now in Brenham and has three children and nine grand children. Barbara’s daughter Carol lives in the Briar Forest area of Houston so Barbara is fortunate to have family close.
Barbara stays active with her Church and her music. She served as pianist for the Church for many years. She is currently singing with the Bayou City Singers who perform at several local Assisted Living Centers for the enjoyment of the residents.
She has many memories of the Ridgecrest Civic Club and it’s projects and activities. She remembers when the RCC sponsored street parades and she remembers the great Christmas parties where she would lead the singing. The RCC is fortunate to have had the participation of people with Barbara’s special skills.
