Mae Ella Barfield

Mae Barfield, 88, of Harlingen went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus on Thursday, July 20, 2023. Mae was born May 21, 1935 in Mercedes, TX to Albert and Agnes Krell as the youngest of 5 children.  She was baptized August 9, 1936 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Skokie, IL and confirmed May 15, 1945 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mercedes, TX.

Mae married James William “Bill” Barfield on March 8, 1956 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Corpus Christi, TX. Mae and Bill moved to Harlingen, TX in 1959 where they spent the rest of their lives. Together they had one daughter, Martha who became Mae’s best friend. In 1984 Mae took on one of her proudest roles of Grandma to a granddaughter and then again in 1988 to a grandson both of whom she took great Joy in loving, spoiling and teaching about Jesus.

Mae was a longtime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Harlingen, TX where she was heavily involved in various aspects of ministry such as teaching Sunday School, Board of Education, Lady’s Aid, Meet and Make, and helping with Vacation Bible School.

Mae’s arguably greatest and most loved title was when she became a great-grandma “GiGi” to 6 great granddaughters where she exuded more love and joy than ever before.  She absolutely adored her great-grandbabies and they still adore her!

Most notably Mae was an amazing woman of God whose faith was unwavering. She exuded the light and love of Jesus to everyone she was around.

Mae is preceded in death by her loving husband James William (Bill) Barfield; parents, Albert and Agnes Krell and her siblings, Alice Mitchell, John Krell, Elaine Walker, and Fred Krell.

Left to treasure her memory is her daughter, Martha (Kelly) Hensz; two grandchildren, Karen (Matthew) Cestarte and Daniel (Celia) Hensz and 6 great-granddaughters, Lila, Macy, Tinley, and Stella Hensz, Hailey and Isabel Cestarte as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends and relatives on Thursday, July 27, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Harlingen, TX. Funeral service will take place on Friday, July 28, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Harlingen ,TX with interment to follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Paul Lutheran Church Endowment Fund.