Doris Mae Nagy

Doris Mae Nagy, 96, of Houston, TX, passed away Tuesday, March 11, 2025 in Rosemont Assisted Living Facility, Humble. She was the wife of the late Joseph Nagy. Born in Winchester, TX on September 16, 1928, she was the daughter of the late William and Julia (Susen) Jakobeit Barry.

Doris grew up in a loving family in Smithville, TX. Unfortunately, an automobile accident claimed her father's life on June 15, 1941, leaving a widow with only a fifth grade education and five children, ages 14, 12, 3, and twins age 5. With no government assistance available for them at that time, Doris recalled there was talk of splitting up the family. With the assistance of their pastor, Julia was able to secure a job working nights at the WWII Army camp, Camp Swift. While their mother slept during the day, the oldest child, Mildred, became responsible for the housework, and Doris, for the cooking and getting her twin brothers off to school. Relatives stepped in to assist with the youngest. In 1944, Julia married Fred Barry, giving the family financial stability, returning Julia to her role of homemaker, and in 1947, adding a new family member when Elisabeth was born.

In high school, Doris was known by her friends as "the party girl". She loved to dance. Often on weekends, Doris attended chaperoned dances at Camp Swift, and there met her future husband. Doris was also gifted in Home Ee classes. She sewed some of her own clothes then and would go on to sew clothes for her daughters and the christening gowns for her grandchildren. To earn extra money, Doris had a regular job babysitting and working at a dry goods store.

A few days following her graduation from Smithville High School in 1946, Doris and Joe married at Grace Lutheran Church in Smithville on May 25 and later, would go on to celebrate a 70 year marriage. The couple were charter members at Our Redeemer Lutheran and later, transferred to Beautiful Savior Lutheran, both in Houston. The church became their extended "family". Some of Doris's areas of service were teacher in Sunday School, and in weekday religion classes, sponsor for the Walther League (a teenage/ young adult social group), leadership positions in the LWML (ladies' mission group), and most importantly, to her, as a Kennedy trained evangelist. After Doris was trained to be an evangelist in the local community, she was certified to train others. She also witnessed when sending cards to almost everyone she knew and usually included a religious bookmark, or pamphlet, to devout Christian and atheist alike. Her other loves were photography, gardening, and traveling.

Family left to mourn her passing are children, Doreen Brubaker and Sharon Nagy; grandchildren, Evan (Dawn) Brubaker, Alan Brubaker, and Andrea Goodson; great-grandchildren Aidan and Katie Brubaker; siblings Bill (Linda) Jakobeit, Joyce Jakobeit, and Elisabeth Barry, and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, family who preceded Doris in death are sons-in-law, Daniel Brubaker and James Goodson; siblings and spouses, Mildred and James Taylor, and James and Jean Jakobeit.

The family wish to express their appreciation to her physicians and support staff at Kelsey-Seybold, especially to her primary care physician, Dr. Amy Lothian. Dr. Lothian consistently provided the best of care so that Doris always received all necessary testing and medical care. Also, gratitude is extended to personnel in all departments at Rosemont. During her five years there, Doris would frequently repeat to family and visitors, "They take good care of me. My friends are here. I LOVE it here. This is my home." Finally, a special "thank you" goes to family friend, Dot Cooper, who faithfully provided social and spiritual support during her weekly visits with Doris at Rosemont.

Donations may be made in Doris's memory to her home church, Beautiful Savior Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 215 Rittenhouse St, Houston, TX 77076 or to the charity of your choice. If any wish to provide a floral display or plant, please deliver only to Christ the King Lutheran, not to the funeral home, the day before the funeral. There will be no viewing.

Funeral arrangements are by Beresford Funeral Home. Graveside services are at 11:00 on Wednesday, March 26, at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038. A 1:30 memorial service will follow, officiated by the Rev. Al Doering, at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 3803 W. Lake Houston Parkway, Kingwood, TX 77339. Snacks will precede the service. At 2:30 a catered meal will be provided at the church.