Alma May Isabel

Alma Berry Isabel, age 97 passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at St. David’s South Austin Hospital in Austin Texas after a brief illness.

Alma was born on November 25, 1927 on the family farm in Bartlett, Texas to Edna Elizabeth and Henry Clarence Berry. She attended Bartlett High School where she graduated as Salutatorian. She attended Baylor University her freshman year and part of her sophomore year and then married Charles Milton Isabel Sr. on March 4, 1947. Being a military wife, they started in Austin Tx (Bergstrom AFB) then moved to San Antonio, Texas (Lackland AFB); Wichita Falls; (Sheppard AFB) and very briefly in Tachikawa, Japan (AFB); then transferred to Hickam AFB in the Territory of Hawaii on Island of Oahu; and finally Chandler, Arizona. (Williams AFB) where her husband retired on October 31, 1963. Then they moved to Austin, TX and had their home built where they lived since 1965. Wherever they were, they found a church to join where they could actively worship and serve God. They were married for 64 years. While following her husband, she worked in various civil servant jobs on the military bases. After returning to Austin she worked for the Internal Revenue Service progressing to the manager of the Accounting Control Section of the Accounting Branch. She retired in 1985 after 30 years working for the federal government.

Alma was a member of the First Baptist Church of Elroy. She was very active in her church and loved to sing. She played the piano by ear; loved sewing and made many outfits for her granddaughters when they were little. After military life, her and her husband enjoyed traveling, babysitting the granddaughters and attending all of their school events. When the great-grandchildren arrived, she truly enjoyed being totally involved in their lives. She loved watching them play sports and was always cheering them on! When she met their friends she always said “just call me granny”. She was very independent and was still driving into Austin at 92, within a designated route and went to have her driver’s license renewed for two more years. During COVID she was still living at home and then shortly thereafter she moved in with her son and daughter in law. This wasn’t really what she wanted but understood that it was for her safety. After more than a year, she was unable to walk so was moved to the West Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She made many friends and enjoyed playing bingo, bible study and sitting outside. She enjoyed having her great great grandchildren visiting her. She also enjoyed entertaining, cooking meals for families, playing 42 and chicken foot. She was a loyal Baylor Bears fan until the end whether they won or lost!

She is survived by son, Charles M. Isabel, Jr and wife Diana. Granddaughters, Kristi Miranda (Jose Miranda); Heather Tucker and husband Mike; Kimberley Jaso and husband Chris, her great- grandchildren, Trenton Isabel and wife Caitlyn; Travis Roberts and fiancee Avery Tuggle; Trevor Roberts and girlfriend Emma Funk; Tresalyn Roberts, Sophie Miranda, Maxton Jaso, Lyndsey Aaron and Riley Tucker. Great-great-grandchildren Zayden Tucker, Avery Guajardo, Lilyanna Guajardo, Nyle Tucker, Levi Tucker, Lyla Tucker, Micah Tucker and Elia Tucker, her nephew Aaron Isabel and wife Gay Marie of San Antonio; her niece Debbie Huntsucker and husband Ray of San Angelo; nephew Davey Clint Isabel and wife Cindy of Blue Springs, MO. She is also survived by many great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews. A very special friend Jeremy Romoser and daughter Kaitlyn and many other friends that can also be considered as family. God filled her with so much love that everyone she met her loved overflowed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Charles, her only sibling Lucille Isabel Wilcox, and a niece Betty Isabel Ford.

We wish to thank the staff of the West Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their loving care of her during her time in the facility. We also wish to thank the nurses and staff at St. David’s South Austin Hospital and Hospice Austin for their compassion and devoted care during the past few days.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the First Baptist Church of Elroy, 13705 FM 812, Del Valle, Tx 78617.