Tributes

Barbara Ann Dury Daniels was born March 14, 1932 to Francis Richard Dury and Adelaide Julia Marty Dury in San Antonio, Texas. Barbara went to meet her Savior on May 24, 2025 at the age of 93. On her mother’s side, she was descended from the Alsatian pioneering colonists who came to Castroville, TX in the 1840s. On her father’s side, she counted ancestor John Dury, a French immigrant and blacksmith, whose family went on to found Dury’s Gun shops in San Antonio. With her younger sister, Dorothy, she grew up on Pardee Street caring for the family hens, sewing doll clothes, and making the trip on Sundays after church to visit relatives in Castroville. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in downtown San Antonio in 1950. Shortly after, she met Danny Daniels at a local school dance. They were married in May of 1952. The newlyweds headed to Orange, TX where Danny was assigned in the Navy. After 3 years, they returned to San Antonio and settled in the Highland Park area. The mother of three children, Barbara was the consummate mom and homemaker. She excelled at stretching a dollar to put yummy meals on the table or whip up another fabulous homemade Halloween or school play costume. She patiently waiting thousands of hours in hot parking lots or on splintery wooden stadium benches while her sons Keith and Danny participated in after school football or Scouts, or daughter Dawn was at band practice or feeding her horse. Never idle, she usually spent those hours crocheting another Afghan for a lucky recipient. After Danny and Barbara purchased a 50 acre ranch south of San Antonio in Campbelton, TX it quickly became the center of many family and friend gatherings for year-round fun, especially at Easter with egg hunts, over-flowing food spreads, hayrides, and fishing and splashing in the stock tank. Barbara loved crafting and she became an expert in sewing clothes, household items, crocheting, and quilting. She made family clothes for school and special occasions along with a quilt for each grandchild. A longtime member of the La Vernia Sewing Club, she treasured the friendship and fun of its members as they lovingly made hand-made items for family, friends, charities, and troops overseas. After Danny’s retirement, they enjoyed traveling to see family and friends around the country even traveling to Europe to see Dawn stationed with the US Army in Germany. Trips to Danny Sr’s bowling tournaments were another excellent excuse to hit the road. She was also a dedicated Bunco and card player for many years. Mom taught us best by her unfailing example – never forget to send a meal to a shut-in neighbor on a holiday, take good care of your elderly relatives, put your family first, go to church, be charitable to the poor, kind to animals, and most of all: just be nice. She was a devoted caregiver to her own parents and mother-in-law, Bertha Daniels, through-out the remainder of their lives. Barbara was proceeded in death by her parents, sister Dorothy, her oldest son, Keith J Daniels, and great grandson, Caleb Tinsley. She is survived by her husband of 73 years, Danny Sr., her son Danny D. Daniels Jr. and wife Gayelyn Daniels; daughter Dawn M. Smith and husband, Frank J Smith; and loving daughter in law, Wanda Daniels, wife of Keith. Danny and Barbara were the always fun grandparents of 6 wonderful grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandson. A lifelong Catholic Barbara was a devoted member of St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Church and finally, St Gerard’s Catholic Church. The family wishes to thank the caregivers of Cardinal Care Services and the healthcare professionals of Touchstone Health Hospice who made her life comfortable in her last months, especially caregivers Roxanne Rodriguez, Terry Shaw, Luz Karides, Mercedes Hernandez and Touchstone Chaplain Linda Lowe and Nurse Briana Robles. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 9, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a rosary to be recited at 6:00 p.m. at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Gerard’s Catholic Church with a Committal Service to follow at 11:15 a.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. A celebration of her life will follow immediately at Paloma Blanca Mexican Cuisine (5800 Broadway #300, San Antonio, TX 78209). In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to St. Gerard’s Catholic Church or a charity of your choice.

Tributes

Barbara Ann Daniels

March 14, 1932 - May 24, 2025