Barbara Kelm Padgett, age 68, after a long battle with cancer went to be with the Lord on February 13, 2019. A memorial service will be held Friday, February 22, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Connally/Compton Funeral Director with Reverend Roy Marshall officiating.
Barbara was born on February 23, 1950 to the late Sam Kelm and Mac Kelm in Hillsboro, Texas. She graduated from Bynum High School in 1968. Barbara was a longtime resident of McLennan County. She married the love of her life, Denny Padgett Jr. on April 23, 1981 in Waco. They celebrated 37 wonderful years of marriage. Barbara worked various positions from driving a school bus to retail work to delivering newspapers.
Barbara enjoyed crafting, sewing, cooking, gardening, garage sales, and taking care of anyone in need. She could take something others saw as junk and turn it into something beautiful. She loved planting seeds and nurturing the little plants as they grew. Barbara enjoyed attending as well as holding garage sales. In addition to exchanging treasures, she enjoyed exchanging the conversations that came with the sales. She came from a long line of excellent cooks and enjoyed cooking for others. Most significantly, Barbara had a huge heart. She was quick to take in anyone in need and always stood up for the underdog. Barbara had a fiery spirit and was known as a fighter. The world is a better place because of her strength, and she will be greatly missed.
Barbara was preceded in death by her father Sam Kelm; son, James Neal; brother, Bill Kelm; and husband, Denny Padgett Jr.
Barbara’s survivors include her mother, Mac Kelm of Hillsboro; siblings, Retha Adams and husband Ronnie of Aquilla, Joyce Canales and husband Bobby of Kyle, Dan Kelm and wife Avalon of Bynum, Sam Kelm and wife Donna of Arlington, and Wanda Pustejovsky and husband Charlie of Abbott; children, Debbie Hawthorne and husband Brandon of Mount Calm, Erica Padgett and fiancé LJ Valdez of Waco, and Timothy Padgett and wife Crystal of Elm Mott; grandchildren, Sidney Holland of Atlanta, LaNeisha Whitmore of Waco, and Noah Martin and Jayden Padgett of Elm Mott; and a host of nieces and nephews and dear friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Community Cancer Association: wacocancer.org
