Barbara Mackey

Barbara Sue Smith Mackey passed away on January 8, 2024 in Beaumont, Texas at the age of 86. Barbara was born on April 1, 1937 in Gladewater, Texas to the late Joel and Verlie Kathryn Baillio Smith.

A celebration of Barbara’s life will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 6 at the First Methodist Church Jeter Hall in Gladewater. Barbara donated her body to science and will be laid to rest at Rock Springs Cemetery at a later date.

Barbara attended school in Gladewater and graduated from Gladewater High School in 1954. She attended Kilgore College, the University of Houston and graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree from North Texas State College in 1959. Barbara went on to teach English, Speech, and Theatre Arts for many years all over Texas before retiring from Union Grove ISD in 2002, where she was instrumental in creating the annual Veteran’s Day program.

She was also active in her community, serving in the Gladewater Chamber of Commerce, the Gladewater Former Students Association, the Garden Club, and the Gladewater Museum, where she created an exhibit honoring professional athletes from Gladewater and the surrounding area. Barbara was chosen “Woman of the Year” by the Gladewater Chamber of Commerce in 2009 and the “Outstanding Alumni of the Year” by the Gladewater Former Students Association in 2010.

Barbara competed in many beauty pageants, becoming Miss Gladewater in 1959, Miss South Texas State Fairin1960andwasthesecond runner-up in the Miss Texas pageant in 1959.

Through the years, she enjoyed singing in the East 

Texas Revue with her former high school choir director, Ken Bennett. She loved traveling with dear friends, John Paul and Beverly Tallent and Betty Stegall. Barbara alsolovedcheeringonher seven grandchildren at their numerous athletic events.

Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Dee Mackey; her brothers, Troy Smith and Foy Charles Smith; her sisters, Juanita Baird, Doris Norfleet and husband Jake, Wanda Allard and Jewel Dahl.

She is survived by her sons, Kevin Mackey and wife Leann of Overton, Texas and Kyle Mackey and wife Michelle of Silsbee, Texas and her daughter, Kelly Mackey Drake of Silsbee; special niece and nephew Dawn and Steve Elrod of Gladewater; her grandchildren Kortney and Josh Calhoun of Silsbee, Kalynn and Ty Ligon of Silsbee, Molly and Acie Savell of Longview, Garrett and Jennifer Drake of Silsbee, Abby Mackey of Overton, Kanon Mackey of Silsbee and Kolten and Cassie Mackey of Lumberton, Texas; 11 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Barbara’s name can be made to the Gladewater Former Students Association, the Lee- Bardwell Library in Gladewater, the Gladewater Museum, or a charity of your choice.