Beverly Barker Van Geffen, who is Jon and Sylvia Barker’s oldest daughter and Ada Cain Barker’s granddaughter, was born in Houston on 16 Feb 1974. From third grade on, she grew up in the Austin area (Buda, TX.)

As others have told of their enjoyment and pleasures of Black Lake during vacations with their grandparents, so also did Beverly. She was only a few months old on her first visit to Pop and Mom’s cabin. In later years she learned to enjoy fishing from her Pop and her Daddy. She still enjoys fishing even today.

College was a busy time for Beverly. She always worked a part-time job and somehow found time to help out and teach at her church. She graduated from SWT in San Marcos in 1996, just as her Dad was transferred to Colorado. She had decided when she was about 16 that she wanted to be a physical therapist, so after her undergraduate school she applied at all the Texas PT schools and was accepted by SWT for their masters program in physical therapy. It was a long 2 years but she graduated and passed her State Board exam and married all in the same summer.

Beverly married Russ Van Geffen 14 Aug 1999. They lived in Austin for a year while Russ finished his master’s degree in physical therapy. Then as their work led them, they moved to San Antonio and have been living there for the past 2 years.

Last year, with a good deal of thought and prayer, between the both of them and family, Russ decided on a career change. He was accepted and passed all the tests (which there were many!) to enter the San Antonio Police Academy. With the help of the Lord, at the end of April he graduated from the Academy at the top of his class. He has now completed his “rookie” days and is beginning his normal duties as a SAPD officer.

Beverly has been working for Health South Rehabilitation hospital for 3 years. She finds fulfillment in helping her patients who are mainly from the central Texas area recovering from strokes, accidents and surgeries of all types. Her strong faith plays a large part in helping her deal with her patients.

They draw strength from a weekly young couples Bible study group at their church. They feel they are truly blessed with their membership in this group and the Lord has been very good to them.