Barbara Kohl was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 22, 1945, to John Louis Kohl and Ruth Snedaker Kohl. She grew up in Cincinnati, attended Western Hills High School and the University of Cincinnati (UC). At UC she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority, and received a bachelor's degree in Kindergarten/Primary Education.

On August 19, 1967, she married Douglas Wayne Hissong. They lived in Columbus, Ohio, where she taught school and Doug finished graduate school. In April of 1968 they moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she taught kindergarten and directed a small private kindergarten school. She came from a family of teachers and was dedicated to her profession. They moved to New Jersey in 1972, then back to Baton Rouge a year later. They lived in Columbus, Ohio, again from 1974 to 1978, when they moved to Houston, Texas.

Barbara was a member of, and held offices in, the Order of the Eastern Star in Ohio and Texas.

Barbara cared deeply about others, as shown by the way she wrote frequent letters and notes to family members, and sent little gifts, particularly to children.

She was a devoted wife to Doug for 55 years, and a devoted mother to their three sons - Steve, Thomas, and James. She took her responsibilities as a parent very seriously. She supported their activities, including serving as a Cub Scout Den Leader.

She enjoyed music, played the flute in her high school band, and played handbells at her church.

Barbara passed on April15, 2023, and began her eternal spiritual life.

She is survived by her husband and three sons, her sister Mary Ann Claydon, her brother, James Louis Kohl, her grandson, Derek Steven Hissong, and her granddaughter, Paloma Eve Hissong.