Loretta Adell Barbee

Weslaco- Loretta Adell Chenik Barbee, 96, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 21, 2024.

Loretta was born on February 1, 1928, in Detroit, Michigan. She moved with her family to Weslaco in 1944 and graduated from Weslaco High School in 1945. Loretta attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, and spent a year at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. In 1948, she met and married the love of her life, Joe Barbee, a P-38 fighter pilot in the Pacific Theater with the Army Air Corps, and together they lived in Weslaco for the rest of their lives.

While raising two children, Loretta completed her college degree when Pan American College became a four-year institution and earned a Texas Teacher's Certification in elementary education. She taught for 11 years, primarily sixth-grade social studies at Stephen F. Austin Elementary, Dr. Armando Cuellar Elementary, and Sam Houston Elementary Schools.

Loretta was deeply involved in the American Cancer Society, which led to her role as a trustee of Knapp Memorial Hospital. In this capacity, she played a key role in the creation of Knapp Hospice and the Aurora House, now an active part of hospice care. She loved Weslaco and its community. For the City’s 75th Birthday Celebration, she helped create a video of Weslaco history. Long-time residents came to her with their family histories, and she claimed it as one of her fondest experiences. This experience inspired her to help create a revitalization program for Main Street in Weslaco, ultimately resulting in Weslaco being named an All-American City.

In 1986, Loretta was honored as First Lady of Weslaco by the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She received the Diana Award from Epsilon Sigma Alpha International for exceptional service to humanity. In 1994, she was recognized with the Shining Star of Hidalgo County award by the Zonta Club of West Hidalgo County. The Weslaco Chamber of Commerce named her Woman of the Year in 1995. In 2018, she was awarded the Rio Grande Valley Walk of Fame award for her lifetime achievements and civic service contributions.

Loretta was a long-time member of PEO, the Literary Review Club, and the Orchid Society, which fueled her passion for growing orchids. She also served on the board of directors of the Gladys Porter Zoo. Loretta and Joe enjoyed many happy and fulfilled years while active with the John Deere dealerships. They loved to travel and spent many years enjoying this with their family and dear friends. They were life-long members of the First Presbyterian Church in Weslaco.

Loretta is preceded in death by her husband Joe, her parents, Dr. Ferdinand and Josephine Chenik, her brother Richard Ferdinand Chenik, and her sister Viola Chenik Rohe. She is survived by her two children, William Terry Barbee (Joella) and Susan Barbee McClure (the late Charles "Mac"), four grandchildren, Brent Barbee (Candice), Tracy Barbee Bullion (Miles), John McClure (Mary), and Jesse Bishop; seven great-grandchildren, Mrinal Alfred and Kaladon Barbee, Sadie and Emily Bullion, Lila, Luke, and Samuel McClure, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 PM on Friday, October 25, 2024 at McCaleb Funeral Home. A funeral commemorating and celebrating her life will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at McCaleb Funeral Home followed by internment at the City of Weslaco Cemetery. 

Contributions in Loretta's honor can be made to the Aurora House of Weslaco.