Barbara “TuTu” Karr Leicht

Barbara Ann Karr Leicht, 83, of Beaumont, went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at Harbor Hospice, Beaumont. She was born on August 7, 1939, to Hattie Pearl Karr and Lonnie Ray Karr, in Beaumont.

Having been raised in and a lifelong resident of Southeast Texas, Barbara took deep pride in her ties to the Kirbyville area. Often in conversation her thoughts and frame of mind would reflect on fond memories made with friends and family from East Texas. She would often comment how grateful she was just to live in a place as special as Texas and to have singers such as George Strait and Willie Nelson.

Barbara was a woman who viewed, enjoyed and lived her life through her family and relationships that she cherished so deeply.

During her career as a legal secretary, she was known to be a “stickler” for details and was determined that everything had to be exactly right and correct.  Those who knew her well would agree that her fierce attention to detail would always be her focus. Always.

When thinking of Barbara, it’s hard not to think of Tommy. They were married for forty-three years.  A blended family was made, and she took it upon herself to make sure every child, stepchild, grandchild and great-grandchild were loved and included. She made it a top priority to mail a Valentine’s Day card and birthday cards to the entire group every year.

Together her and Tommy set such an excellent example for the entire family of what it meant to be givers and focused on others.  They were deeply devoted to each other, the Catholic Church as well as the entire Golden Triangle region. Over the many years, when not in town, they normally could be found enjoying conversation and great food with friends and family on Bolivar Peninsula.  Countless family reunions, holidays and special occasions were celebrated, fond memories were made and enjoyed by all on the shores of Crystal Beach.

In her later years, Barbara suffered and dealt with various health issues. Being the organized and detailed person she was, she maintained countless records and file folders of all her doctor consultations, medications and treatment history for many years. Throughout all her health-related issues, she never drew attention to herself.  Although, she was fiercely determined to deal with health problems, even more so, she wanted to protect her family and friends and did not want them to worry.

Yes, her friends, her community and our entire family, including her precious little “Skippy” and her beloved caregiver, Barbara Rhodes (Miss B), have suffered a heartbreaking loss, but rest assured, Heaven and her friends and family already there are celebrating her arrival.

We all will dearly miss our TuTu aka 2-2.

Survivors include her husband, Thomas M. Leicht; son, Von Honsberger and his wife, Stephanie, of Missouri City; daughters, Kristen Broussard and her husband, Eric, of Beaumont; daughter, Terry Leicht and her husband, Mark Kinley, of Kemah; daughter, Sharon Barker; daughter, Brenda Leicht; son, Tommy Leicht, II and his wife, Alex, of Beaumont; grandchildren, Allison Wagstaff and her husband, Kyle, of Nome; Eric Honsberger and his wife, Katy, of Karnes City; Evan Honsberger and his wife, Jamie, of Richmond; Elyse Broussard of Beaumont; Chelsy Broussard of Houston; Jacob Broussard and his wife, Kelsey, of Jersey Village; Nicholas Barker and his wife, Charissa, of Kountze; Justin Kinley and his wife, Rebecca, of Chattanooga; Matthew Shailer and his husband, Peter Chickris, of Washington, DC; Chelsea Schexnider and her husband, Cory, of Lumberton; Katelyn Burch and her husband, Colby, of Santa Fe; Thomas Ray of Beaumont; Tommy Leicht, III of Houston; Christina Leicht and her fiancé, Xander Hughes, of Austin; Sabrina Salazar and her husband, Edgar Leon, of Katy; Samantha Salazar of Austin; and great-grandchildren, Ruby Honsberger, Brody Honsberger, Ethan Honsberger, Ford Broussard, Vivian Kinley, Emma Burch, Carter Burch, Jeremiah Barker, Nathan Barker, Landen Grass, Taylor Schexnider, Korleigh Schexnider and Ivan Leon.

She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Jon Honsberger; and sisters, Kay Karr Mayes and Janet Karr.

A gathering of Mrs. Leicht’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with a Rosary recited at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, December 18, 2022, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 19, 2022, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made MD Anderson Cancer Center Mays Clinic, in Memory of Barbara Leicht,  P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210-4486 or online.