Barbara Elaine Archer Kammer

January 24, 1932 – July 1, 2026

Barbara Elaine Archer Kammer (94) of San Antonio, Texas, born January 24, 1932, in Lamesa, Texas, joined her Lord in Glory July 1, 2026.

Barbara grew up on a cotton farm in Ackerly, Texas, in the years following the Great Depression. She lost her father when just 5 years old and contracted polio at an early age which would affect her the rest of her life. Not one to be held down, she excelled in school, skipping two grades, and graduating from Ackerly High School at 16 as the Valedictorian. While there she was captain of the girls’ basketball team and homecoming queen. Soon after graduating she moved to Vallejo, California, joining her mother, who had moved to find work after the death of her husband, and her sisters. In 1950, on a bus returning from a trip to Texas, she met Bill Kammer of Carrizo Springs, Texas. Bill was serving in the navy at the time and was stationed in Vallejo. They married August 2, 1952 and would have been married 74 years this August. In August of 1953 they welcomed their first daughter, Sharon. The family of three moved to San Antonio, Texas, in 1957 and in December of that year Kathy was born. Barbara was always a total supporter of her daughters serving as a school PTA officer, and on District PTA Council, a Brownie troop leader, a bike rodeo coordinator, and tennis team sponsor.

Barbara was always active, enjoying dancing, bowling, with a special love for gardening, cooking, and baking. Holiday meals, especially Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas were always a sight to behold and an epicurean delight. The desserts were always the best—homemade, extravagant, and, of course, delicious.

She loved reading and collecting giraffes and depression glass. She was an accomplished seamstress making many formals and tennis outfits and was always ready to make costumes for school performances or Halloween.

Known by Barbara, Barb, Bobbie, sister and ‘hey lady’, her most cherished moniker was Mimi. Becoming a grandmother for the first time in 1979, she relished seeing her ‘grand’ and ‘great grands’ succeed in anything they did. She was a happy attendee at their sporting events, dance recitals, play performances and graduations. She spoiled them with her undying love and attention.

She was a faithful servant and longtime church member at Brookhill Baptist and Kirby Baptist churches teaching adult and children’s Sunday School classes, working in VBS, and as camp counselor. She served on numerous committees and spent many years as financial secretary and treasurer.

Education was important to her, seeing to it that her daughters attended and graduated from college. But it was her dream to do the same. And she did! At age 40 she enrolled at San Antonio College completing 2 years there, then commuting to Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos earning a B.S. in Education. She received her teaching certificate, but always putting family first, she gave up her pursuit of teaching to care for an elderly relative.

She had a mind like a vault, ready to pull out stories, dates and events or cooking and laundry tips. You asked and she was on top of it searching for answers until she found them. And she was tough. Through many surgeries, she persevered until rheumatoid arthritis and spinal stenosis slowed her down and she stopped driving, but it did not stop her from gardening or baking. She continued through her pain always doing for others.

Preceded in death by her parents George Milton Archer and Marie Mae Vaughn, sister Billie Bolman and brothers-in-law James Bolman and A.D. (Chick) Bennett. She is survived by her husband of 73 years Bill Kammer, daughters Sharon Padalecki (Gerald), and Kathy Bass; grandsons Jeffrey Padalecki (Veronique) and Jared Padalecki (Genevieve); granddaughters Megan Padalecki and Bethany Bass; great-grandchildren Juliette Padalecki, Henry Padalecki, Oliver Padalecki, Simone Padalecki, Thomas Padalecki, Shepherd Padalecki, and Odette Padalecki; sisters Shirlee Bennett and Lenette Garcia (Daniel); three cousins and numerous nieces and nephews,

A memorial celebration of life will be held Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 7735 Gibbs-Sprawl Road, San Antonio, Texas, 78239.

Reception following memorial service at Kirby Baptist Church, 5114 Old Seguin Road, Kirby, Texas 78219. Come share your favorite memories and a fellowship meal with the family.

The family would like to thank each of you for your prayers, cards, support, and phone calls during this time.