Barbara Sue Elliott

Barbara Sue Elliott left this world on May 15, 2021 after a short battle with cancer. Barbara was born in the Gibson Hospital in Three Rivers, TX on August 19, 1952 to Clifton John Elliott and Laura Olivia Stewart. Barbara was a 1970 graduate of Three Rivers High School and then attended Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M) in Kingsville where she majored in music completing her Master’s Degree to become a band director and music teacher. Although she started playing the clarinet in junior high school, there was not a musical instrument with a reed or a string that she couldn’t play. Barbara taught in San Diego, Driscoll, and Premont until being hired in Kingsville ISD where she stayed until retirement. She was a marching band director for a few years, but her true love was elementary music. She never married, but she leaves a legacy of many children with whom she shared her love of music. She had a few second-generation students whose parents remembered her from their time as her student. Her love of music was second only to her love of the Lord. She was the choir director at First Presbyterian Church for 34 years where she was also an ordained elder and deacon. After retirement, she taught preshool music education in Kingsville where she had her 3 year old students reading music. She also taught private guitar lessons. She was the Chairman of the Special Pops Teachers at McRoberts Elementary and at Kleberg Elementary schools. She played in the orchestra for stage musicals from 1971-1999 for both the Harbor Playhouse and for the University. She also served on music teams within the Emmaus Community. She was a member of Tau Beta Sigma Honorary Band Sorority, Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity, and Music Educators National Conference now known as the National Association Music Education. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Clifton and Laura, and by a brother, Leland Bell. She is survived by her brother, Robert (Bobby) Elliott and wife Kathy McDermott of Sugar Land, TX, niece Beki Wilson and husband Kelly of Montgomery, TX, nephew Josh Wadsworth and wife Shanna of Falls City, TX, nephew Colin Elliott and wife Morgan of San Antonio, TX, niece Shannon Elliott of Sugar Land, TX, great-nieces Kati Jo Wilson, Maggi Wilson, Olivia Elliott, Lorelei Elliott; great-nephews William Wadsworth, Gus Wadsworth, Hudson Wadsworth, and a 35 year legacy of music students who she loved to teach. Her memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, May 24, 2021 at the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsville, TX. A private burial with immediate family only will follow at the Three Rivers Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to First Presbyterian Church, 302 W Kleberg Ave, Kingsville, TX 78363.

Barbara Sue Elliott

August 19, 1952 - May 15, 2021