Breckenridge Texan

Barbara Castaneda Mendez, 83, of Breckenridge, Texas, passed peacefully in her home surrounded by family and loved ones on June 4, 2026. A visitation will be held on June 10, at 5 p.m. in the Melton-Kitchens Chapel of Memories. Her funeral service at Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home will be held on June 11, 2026, beginning at 11 am; her interment will follow at Wayland Cemetery.

Barbara was a member of the Catholic Church in Breckenridge. She loved watching wrestling, watching cowboy classics like Gunsmoke, Cheyenne and Rifleman, but most of all, she loved spending time with her loved ones.

Barbara was born on December 4, 1942, in Foard County, O’Brien, Texas, to Lee Castaneda and Josephine Velez Castaneda. Barbara was the oldest of 9 siblings who grew up in Crowell, Texas. At the very young age of 9, Barbara went to work alongside her parents in the crop fields. As the family grew and being the oldest, Barbara was responsible for taking care of her siblings while Lee and Josephine would go to work. Barbara was like a second mother to her siblings as she would cook, clean and made sure they were safe.

At the age of 14, Barbara went to work as a dishwasher at Frances’ Cafe in Crowell. She worked there until the family moved to Breckenridge in 1969. Shortly after arriving in Breckenridge, she was employed by Davis Manufacturing as a seamstress. During the time Barbara was employed by Davis, she met the love of her life, Domingo Flores Mendez. They married in the year of 1971. After Davis Manufacturing closed business, Barbara went to work at Grounds Woodshop. She was employed with Grounds Woodshop until Barbara and Domingo pursued work opportunities in Clinton, Oklahoma, in 1980. Barbara began working at Bar S foods from 1980 to 1994 until she and Domingo made the move back to Breckenridge, Texas. Barbara then found her an opportunity as a care provider working at Colonial Ridge Nursing home and also provided private care alongside Margie Salas for almost 24 years until she retired in 2018. Barbara spent the last few years enjoying seeing her family expand and carrying on her work ethic that she instilled in all of them. Occasionally she would even get out to a concert or Spanish celebration, as she loved to dance. Barbara was a mother, abuela, a sister, a friend but most importantly she was a good human being. If you were fortunate to know her, you know you were always welcomed in her home and almost always, you were going to be served a hot meal.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Josephine Castaneda; her husband, Domingo Mendez; and two brothers, Arturo Castaneda and Jerry Castaneda.

She is survived by her daughters Frances Mendez and husband Frank Martinez of Clinton, Oklahoma, and Ruth Smith and husband Richard of Breckenridge, Texas; her sons Ricky Mendez of Clinton, Oklahoma, and Eric Mendez and wife Phallon of Breckenridge, Texas. She has 38 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers Ruben and wife Josie Castaneda, and Felix Castaneda, and sisters Jovita Oxjal, Margie Castillo, Susan Elizando and husband Leo, and Sylvia Villanueva. Barbara has many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends who meant the world to her.

The family would like to give special thanks to Margie Salas, Solaris and Stephens Memorial Hospital for providing the best of care for Barbara.

Barbara will be greatly missed, however the family is at peace knowing she joins those who passed before her, especially her husband Domingo, as they will now be both rejoicing with Jesus in Heaven.