Barbara Elaine Kageler McElroy, 80, a longtime resident of Sealy, Texas, passed away on Thursday, December 15, 2022 in Houston, Texas surrounded by family.

She leaves behind her daughter Kim Rychlik and her husband Johnny, and her two sons: James McElroy and his wife Nancy and Scott McElroy and his wife Stephanie. She also leaves behind 7 grandchildren, Ashley, Lindsy, Chelsea, William, Kyle, Jennifer, and Ryley, and 7 great- grandchildren Laney, Aiden, Jaxon, Grant, Madisyn, Evan, and Paisley. Her brother Phillip Kageler and his wife Diane and brotherin- law Delbert Wendt, sister in laws Joy McElroy, Dana McElroy, Linda Sue Fletcher, and Kay Caffey as well as many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 51 years, Doyle McElroy, her parents Theresa Kageler Stern, Bert Kageler, and Lloyd Stern, her sister Shirley Wendt, and her brothers in law Johnny McElroy and Robert McElroy.

Originally from Needville, Texas, Barbara was very involved in her community, and in high school she was an athlete, and was a twirler in the band, which is where she met her future husband. Her love of music continued throughout her adult life, and she mothered many band kids through the years and lived in many towns across Texas, coaching twirlers and supporting the band. She worked as the school secretary at Sealy High School for 15 years and worked many years in the banking industry. She had a beautiful singing voice and sang in many weddings and funerals throughout the years. She loved to fish, and upon retirement, she and Doyle moved to Cedar Creek Lake, where many happy memories were made with her children and grandchildren until their return to Sealy, Texas in 2008 where she lived out the rest of her life with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Nanny never knew how many were going to be at the dinner table, so she made enough for an army, which continued until the day she died. She could cook anything and make your mouth water the moment you walked in the house. Whether it was meatloaf, fried chicken, turkey dressing, chocolate pie, or lemon cake, she always made your favorite meal on your birthday. Good luck replicating her recipes. She would always say just “taste it” and “cook until it looks right”.

Barbara never met a stranger, and she was known for her beautiful smile and laughter. She would literally laugh until she cried, and in the process, have everyone else laughing too. Those who loved her most called her Mom, Momma, Nanny, “Woman”, and when she wasn’t listening, just Barbara.

Her love of Christmas will continue in our hearts for years to come, and the strong family legacy she built will live for generations as we pass on the many lessons she taught us.