Mei Tao Huang

Mei Tao Huang, 91, passed away on Jan. 4, 2026, in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was born on July 10, 1934, in Pingtung, Taiwan, to Ding Chen Lin and Chen Jian Lin, who had seven daughters and two sons. She was the third sister. She graduated from Taipei Tailoring College in Taiwan and taught fashion design and sewing before marrying Shyi Yi Huang on April 10, 1960. They were the first in their families to immigrate to the United States in the mid-1960s. The couple later helped welcome and bring many international college students and family members to the United States.

A devoted wife and mother, Mrs. Huang supported her husband in earning a doctorate degree in microbiology from Baylor University, while raising their four children, two boys and two girls. The family lived in Dallas for about 10 years. The Huangs were members of the Chinese church congregation at First Baptist Church in Dallas, and Mrs. Huang was known for the delicious curry chicken she prepared for potluck lunches. She also belonged to the international women’s group at First Baptist and ran a small Asian grocery store in a spare room of the family home.

Using her sewing talents, Mrs. Huang made matching dresses for herself and her daughters when they were girls. A fantastic cook, Mrs. Huang loved serving her family Asian dinners every night. She also learned to make Thanksgiving turkey dinner and introduced many visiting Taiwanese relatives to the traditional American holiday meal. She added one Asian twist, sticky rice stuffing, which became a beloved side dish that her family still enjoys at Thanksgiving.

The Huangs moved to Kingsville in 1978. Dr. Huang joined the biology department at then Texas A&I University, and Mrs. Huang became active in the University Women’s Club. On Sunday mornings, she attended services with her children at Calvary Baptist Church. In later years, she volunteered as a pink lady at Kleberg Memorial Hospital.

A lifelong learner, Mrs. Huang spoke five languages -- Taiwanese, Japanese, Cantonese, Mandarin and English – and continued to read and study Asian languages and English throughout her life. In her senior years, she took art and creative writing courses at City College while living in San Francisco in the early 2000s.

Mrs. Huang was predeceased by her husband, Shyi Yi, on July 29, 2022. She is survived by her four children, Kuo Fon (Kim) Huang, Song Zun (Yi-Ping) Huang, Sophia Mei (Pete) Huang McKenzie, and Margaret Mei (Fred) Huang Welterlin; and eight grandchildren, Stephanie and Rachel Huang, Aaron and Evan McKenzie, and Alyssa, Hannah, Chloe and Jack Huang.

Following a private family remembrance, burial will be at Chamberlain Cemetery in Kingsville.