Barbara Jane Ward Chapman

Barbara Jane Ward Chapman, age 87 of McAllen, Texas passed away on February 19, 2026 with family by her side. She was born February 11, 1939 in Overton, Texas to the late John E. and Geneva Ward.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Dale W. Chapman; her parents, John E. and Geneva Ward; her brother, John W. Ward; her great-granddaughter, Samantha Basham; and her ex-spouse and father of her children, Rex B. Bledsoe.

She is survived by her daughter, Stefani Palmer (Mike); daughter, Cheryl Pray; son, Kenneth Bledsoe (Michelle); grandchildren, Luke Basham (Natalie), Jensen Pray (Stacy), Erin Palmer, Stephen Palmer (Stacey),Sean Palmer, Gabriella Green (Cody); and great-grandchildren, Dustin, Charli Rae, Miles, Alexandra, Tyler, Summer, Makayla & Callan; her sister, Genieva Henderson (Bob); and brother Thomas Ward (Dianne). She was also a beloved aunt to many nephews & nieces.

Barbara was a member of First Baptist Church in San Juan, Texas while she was growing up. She played bassoon in the PSJA band and graduated salutatorian, with the second highest G.P.A. in 1956. She was also Band Sweetheart. Soon after, she married Rex B. Bledsoe.

Later, with two kids and then a third child in tow, Barbara worked at Voss Drilling Company in McAllen, where she was a member of Desk and Derrick Club. She also attended Pan American College (UTPA) in Edinburg.

Barbara, Rex, and their children moved to Austin, Texas, for a year and returned to McAllen in 1969, where they became members of Magic Valley Baptist Church and they attended, pretty much, every time the doors were open.

In !971, along with her husband Rex, they started Bledsoe Electric out of their home in San Juan. Shortly after, they moved to a brick-and-mortar location on Highway 495 in Pharr, building a very successful commercial and residential electrical business until they retired in 1992. They lived for a while in Kerrville, Texas, then returned to McAllen, where they later parted ways.

Barbara became active in First Baptist Church in McAllen, where she participated in their Christmas Program and later joined BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) there.

She married Dale Chapman in 2006, and they lived in Houston, Texas for a while, then moved back to McAllen. After Dale passed away in 2020, Barbara attended and joined Trinity Baptist Church in McAllen, where she found many God fearing and God loving friends. In her later years, and with a desire to learn even more about God, she enrolled in Faith Bible Institute (FBI), a three-year program at Trinity Baptist Church, where she earned her "Bible College Diploma" in May 2025

Barbara was always dressed "to the nines". She loved to play golf and did so for many years. Barbara was quite a good cook and was well known for her cinnamon rolls, seven-layer salads, and banana nut cakes. She was an excellent seamstress, too. She hand made both of her daughters' wedding dresses and Cotillion dresses and many, many Halloween costumes for her children and grandchildren. She would labor through the night sewing, and still go to work the next day. How she was able to do this, we don't know to this day!

Many people that didn't know her personally, knew her as the lady that drove around in her pretty white with a red roof Cadillac, with the U.S, flags mounted on the sides, blowing in the wind.

Barbara was very concerned that everyone was "saved" and she shared the Plan of Salvation with all who would listen. Barbara was well loved, especially by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. The world has lost someone, but, thanks to Jesus, Heaven has received someone super special. She is already greatly missed.

Funeral services are under the direction of Kreidler Funeral Home in McAllen. Visitation will be from 6-8 pm on Friday, March 6. Services will be held at Kreidler's on Saturday, March 7 at 9:30 am with burial

following immediately at Roselawn Cemetery in McAllen.