Barbara Ann Culbertson

Barbara Ann Culbertson, 93, of Las Cruces, New Mexico passed away September 16, 2024. She was born 24 July 1931 in Milton, Indiana to Harold Vesper Helmsing and Ruth Alice McCoy Helmsing. 

After graduating from Milton High School, Barbara continued to enhance her keyboard skills and musical education through private study on both piano and organ. On March 11, 1951, she married fellow Milton High alumnus Donald Culbertson. The pair were together for nearly sixty-seven years before Donald's death in 2018, and always enjoyed travel throughout the United States and several other countries. Barbara embarked on a career as a piano and organ teacher at a young age and gave private lessons while living in Indiana, Georgia and finally in Lincoln County, New Mexico, until the age of 82. She also was a dedicated church musician, serving at several Methodist churches as pianist, including Due West Methodist Church in Marietta, Georgia and the United Methodist Church in Ruidoso, among others. She often played at various weddings and community events as well as accompanying solo artists. While she taught piano in the traditional manner and believed her students should embrace classical music, she was also passionate about letting them explore the contemporary music they loved, from jazz to blues to rock. She held the same philosophy personally, supporting various symphony orchestras, while also attending concerts of some of the greatest names in modern music, from Frank Sinatra to Paul McCartney, the Eagles and even The Rolling Stones. 

Barbara is survived by her daughter Cynthia Culbertson; son-in-law Richard T. Bryant; grandson Tyler Shropshire; numerous nieces and nephews; and her beloved cat Cooper. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald M. Culbertson; and sister Marilyn L. Hofmann. Barbara had a great love, not only of music, but of all of the arts. She was particularly supportive of New Mexico artists, whether painters, jewelers, potters and more. Barbara was a member of various womens' organizations and philanthropic efforts wherever she lived. 

Memorial donations in her honor may be made to the Humane Society of the United States or the Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico.