Barbara Elaine Bex passed away at Golden Stage Assisted Living in San Antonio, Texas on November 7, 2023.

Barbara was born May 11, 1927 in Houston, Texas to Frank H. and Willie Mae Johnson Smith.

She grew up in Diboll, Texas and graduated from public school there. She had a good childhood that left some wonderful memories and great stories. Barbara married Kermitt H. Marshall, also from east Texas, in 1946. They built a home on land in Zavala County and relocated to the Loma Vista community there; they were later blessed with 4 children: Beverly, Suzanne, Keith, and Laura. Subsequently, Barbara graduated from Southwest Texas University.

Barbara had an avid interest in music and played piano, organ, and hand bells. She sang for most of her life in church choirs where she attended worship services, including most recently, at Canyon Lake United Methodist Church, where at times she played piano and organ as well. Barbara taught public school music in Houston and was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi for a number of years. She enjoyed performing and singing with Mission Belles, a San Antonio women's musical barbershop organization, part of Sweet Adelines International, during the years she was teaching in that city. Barbara was a member of the Pilot Club of Canyon Lake, a professional working women's association. Her hobbies included gardening, sewing for her children, needlework, reading, building miniature doll houses, and RV travels through many states. All of her life, she loved meeting and making new friends. In 2005 she married Jean-Pierre Bex, Ph.D., and they resided in Canyon Lake.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Jean-Pierre Bex; son: Vincent (Teresa) Bex; 3 daughters, Suzanne (Jimmy) Coffman, Laura West, and Anne-Catherine (Mickey) Bex-Seals; daughter-in-law Sherri Marshall; 10 grandchildren: Cathy (Stacy) Rouse, Rachel (Aaron) Tenenholz, Robert (Amy) Seals, Matthew (Amy) Seals, Michael (Kara) Seals, Van (Cindy) Marshall, Cole (Patricia) Marshall, Harold (Lisa) Sylva, Jacob Sylva, and James Bruner; 19 great-grandchildren: Aaron Bruner, Marijane Bruner, Isaiah Marshall, Addison Marshall, Paxton Marshall, Caedmon Marshall, Ellington Marshall, Linden Marshall, Hollin Marshall, Christian Rouse, Lyla Seals, Luke Seals, Stella Seals, Sage Seals, Cain Seals, Sydney Seals, Sailor Seals, Saywer Seals, and Landon Tenenholz ; one great-great grandson, Vincent Sylva; a cousin: Rev. John Powell Smith, two sisters-in-law: Helen Smith and Temple Smith, plus numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; 2 spouses: Robert Maxwell Hill, retired Commander, U.S. Navy, and Kenneth Maxwell Carpenter; her three brothers: Charles (Joan) Smith, Frank Smith, Jr, and Clifford Smith; daughter, Beverly Simpson; son, Keith Marshall; 2 granddaughters, Toni Gayle Marshall and Amelia Coffman; 3 aunts: Lorraine Smith, Opal Joiner; Bernie Lee (Sissy) Williams; and one uncle: Albert Smith; one niece: Jill Cox, and 2 great-nieces: Carlene Kelly, and Jeanie Stover.

There will be a Visitation on Saturday, November 18th at Canyon Lake United Methodist Church, 10:00 a.m., followed by the funeral at 11:00 a.m., also at the church. Doeppenschmidt Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Pall bearers: Frank Smith, Jimmy Coffman, Van Marshall, Cole Marshall, James Bruner, Isaiah Marshall. Interment afterwards at Crane's Mill Cemetery, Startzville, Texas.

If desired, donations may be made to Canyon Lake United Methodist Church, SPCA, or a charity of your choice.