Barbara Braley Riddell

Barbara Ann Braley Riddell was born in Pasadena, California on the 29th of April 1925 and passed away peacefully in Houston on Wednesday, the 8th of November 2023, hours after learning of the birth of her fourth great-grandchild. She was 98 years of age.

Barbara was the second of two children born to Jesse Maude McCament and Rex Estes Braley. During the Great Depression her family moved to their ranch in the San Joaquin Valley where Barbara graduated from Lemoore High School. In 1943, she left home to attend the University of Texas where she studied Spanish and Art History, was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and became a Blue Bonnet Belle.

After the War ended, while visiting an aunt in Houston, she met a handsome transplanted Yale graduate named John Riddell at a pickup softball game in Lazy Lane Park. Months later, Barbara and John were married at Trinity Episcopal Church in February 1950, making Houston their permanent home. After the first of their three daughters was born in 1952, Barbara became a loving and caring mother. She adored her new hometown and became active in the Junior League of Houston, the River Oaks Garden Club and later the Museum of Fine Arts, the Houston Ballet and Planned Parenthood.

When Barbara and John were blessed with grandchildren, their names became Marnie and Papa, and their most treasured times were spent with the grandchildren hiking and skiing in Colorado and attending all their sporting events at home.

Barbara and John were married for 56 wonderful years before John’s death in 2006. Barbara became a beloved great-grandmother seven years later. Marnie leaves behind a family as devoted to her as she was to them. Her warm heart, even-tempered nature and graciousness enriched us all. She had an elegant style well into her nineties. She will be deeply missed.

Barbara is survived by her three daughters, Missy and husband Kevin J. Millin of Houston, Joan and husband Dan G. McNamara of Austin, Louise and husband Robert F. Bland Jr. of Houston; as well as her grandchildren Braley and husband Aaron Hendrix, Melissa and husband Connor Cook, and Alex and wife Jamie Millin, John W. McNamara, Emma A. McNamara; Allison and husband Bryan Flick and Robert R. Bland; as well as her great-grandchildren, Molly Marnie and Allison Braley Cook, Jackson James Hendrix and Charles Riddell Flick. She is also survived by her nieces Liz Braley of Newport Beach, California and Pat Thatcher and Barbara Donaldson and their families of New Canaan, Connecticut, and nephew Richard Braley of Chico, California. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John F. Riddell, Jr.; parents Rex E. and Jesse M. Braley; and her brother Richard G. Braley and his wife Virginia H. Braley.

The family is forever grateful for the loving care provided by Annette Williams and Marta Garza, also Stephanie Green, Jimmie Brown, Evette Turner and Ana Flores.

A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 16th of January 2024, at the Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard in Houston, where The Rev. Dr. Doug Richnow, Priest Associate, will officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the nearby Sumners Hall.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in her name may be directed to the Forum of Civics Foundation c/o River Oaks Garden Club, 2503 Westheimer Rd., Houston, TX, 77098; to The Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Blvd., Houston, TX, 77019; or the charity of one’s choice (Alternatively, you may access the respective charities by selecting the desired under the "Donations" tab below).

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