Barbara graduated from Lee High School in Baytown. She also attended Lee College before she began her professional career in 1967 with The Baytown Sun Newspaper. She worked her entire career for the newspaper, and its parent company Southern Newspaper Inc., until her retirement in 2012. She was a loyal and dedicated employee for 45 years, and was highly regarded by her peers.
“Barbara Zavodny was a wonderful, loving member of her own family and of the Southern Newspapers family. She was a delightful friend and colleague, and she had the highest in professional standards and the very highest professional and personal ethics. They don’t make them like Barbara anymore, and that’s very, very unfortunate,” said Dolph Tillotson, president, Southern Newspapers, Inc.
Barbara’s passions were her family, friends, and fun. She enjoyed fishing, going to the beach, and caring for her beautiful roses. In her early adulthood she was a member of Rho Zeta chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and a member of a barbecue cook off team. She prided herself in being Mamaw, and her greatest joys were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Billy R. Padgett, and Lawrence “Punkin” Padgett, husband Gordon W. Zavodny, and special friend and mentor Leon Brown.
She is survived by daughters Donna Woolsey and husband Van “Doc” Woolsey, Cathy Loftin, sons Jason Zavodny and wife Jessica, Matthew Zavodny and wife Londa. Grandchildren Chase Woolsey and wife Jenna, Ashton Kitchen and husband Tyler, Aubrey Loftin, Dillon Zavodny, Mason Zavodny, Katlyn Zavodny Terrazas and husband Adam. Great-Grandchildren Tyler Gilley, Tate Woolsey, Myka Woolsey, Tealsyn Kitchen, soon to arrive Kolt Kitchen and Xander Terrazas.
Barbara will certainly be missed by her fur baby Sachsa, This sweet dog was always by her side providing her continuous love and companionship.
Visitation will be held Monday, February 11, 2019 at Navarre Funeral Home, located at 2444 Rollingbrook Drive, Baytown Texas 77521 at 11:00 until 12:30 pm. Funeral services will immediately follow visitation. Interment will be at Earthman Memory Gardens Cemetery in Baytown.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cedar Bayou Grace Day School for Little People Scholarship Fund; 2714 Ferry Rd. Baytown, Texas 77520.
Pallbearers: Chase Woolsey, Tyler Kitchen, Jason Zavodny, Matthew Zavodny, William Padgett, and Les Woolsey.
