The matriarch of a very large, extended family, Barbara Ruth Maxey, 85, passed away on Saturday May 7, 2022.  Barbara Ruth Neel was born 27 August 1936, and married husband Dick Maxey in 1954.  They were married for almost 55 years and had five children, Rick (married to Olivia Lara); Cathy (married to Tim Rodgers); Mark (Married to Sandy Maxey); Carol (married to Francis Govers); and Jimmy (Married to Sheila Maxey). Dick passed away on June 23, 2009.  In later years, Barbara has shared her life with her partner, Richard Kersey.

Barbara is survived by eight grandchildren: Chris and Rachel, Neel and Steven, Jeremiah, Jessica and Corbin, and Nicholas, as well as seventeen great-grandchildren .

Barbara Maxey was an inspiration to her family and always led by example.  After raising five children, she worked as a traveling salesperson, covering gift shops, restaurant supplies, and other types of stores, selling "just about everything" as she would describe.

She had many passions – the family produced a book of her Brazilian embroidery, featuring intricate flowers or animals.  She was an aspiring gourmet chef, often creating stunning dinners, tea parties, and family gatherings with marvelous dishes and desserts that she might spend days preparing.  She was very well read and had an interest in anthropology, particularly the history of human development.  Barbara loved to play bridge and played with the same group of friends – the "Bridge Ladies" – for many decades.

After her retirement, Barbara devoted much of her time to the St. Vincent De Paul Society Food Pantry in Tomball, working with a team to help feed hungry people in the local area.

One area that everyone knew about was her love of travel.  She had visited many countries and many states, often bringing family members – children, their spouses, and grandchildren – along for the trip.  She loved to go to Europe and take river cruises, but the one trip she always talked about was to Kenya, Africa.  Her house was full of mementoes and items from her many trips, and she imbued a love of travel in the entire family.  The grandchildren will always remember trips they made with their grandparents to Boston, Washington DC, Arizona, Colorado, and other places.

Visitation will take place at Klein Funeral Home in Tomball, Texas on Wednesday, May 11th from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. The Holy Rosary will be said at 6:00. The funeral mass will be held at St. Anne's Catholic Church (Tomball) on Thursday May 12th at 10:30 am. Interment will follow in Klein Memorial Park on FM2920. Barbara has made an enormous impact on all her family and friends.

The family asks that in leu of flowers that donations please be made to the food pantry of your choice.

· "Travel is like love, mostly because it's a heightened state of awareness, in which we are mindful, receptive, undimmed by familiarity and ready to be transformed. That is why the best trips, like the best love affairs, never really end." — Pico Iyer