Norvell Kay Mullendore Granger, the first Republican woman from Texas elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and former chair of the House Appropriations Committee, died Sunday at her home in Fort Worth. She was 83. Granger’s family confirmed that she had been battling Alzheimer’s disease.

Granger retired from Congress in 2024 after nearly three decades of service and spent her final months in an independent living facility in Fort Worth, a move that was not publicly disclosed until late 2024. Her son Brandon publicly acknowledged her struggles with dementia in December 2024, following reports from conservative media outlets. At the time, Granger cited “unforeseen health challenges” that had made travel to Washington, D.C., difficult.

Granger’s departure garnered attention in Washington amid broader concerns about health challenges facing several senior lawmakers and the narrow Republican majority in the House. She left the Appropriations Committee chairmanship in April 2024 to facilitate a smooth transition for the fiscal year ahead. She appeared at the Capitol later that year for a ceremony honoring her congressional tenure but had not participated in votes since July 2024.

Born January 18, 1943, in Greenville, Texas, Granger grew up in Fort Worth in a household led by her mother after her parents’ early divorce. She earned a teaching certificate and bachelor’s degree in English and home economics from Texas Wesleyan University in 1965. Before entering politics, she worked as a high school teacher and later as a commercial insurance salesperson while raising three children as a single mother.

Granger’s political career began on the Fort Worth zoning commission following a successful local campaign to block a liquid waste disposal plant near her home. She served on the city council and was Fort Worth’s first female mayor, from 1991 to 1995. During her mayoralty, she spearheaded efforts to reduce crime by funding additional police and community centers. Although she was not initially affiliated with a political party as mayor, she ran as a Republican for Congress in 1996, winning the seat once held by former Speaker Jim Wright.

In Congress, Granger was known for her pragmatic approach and strong support for national defense, championing defense contracts for companies like Bell Helicopter and Lockheed Martin in her district. She became the Texas delegation dean and held a long tenure on the Appropriations Committee, eventually serving as its top Republican and chairwoman. A vocal defender of the F-35 fighter jet program, she emphasized its importance to U.S. security despite criticism over its costs.

While holding relatively moderate social views early in her career, Granger’s positions evolved over time. She initially supported abortion rights but later called for overturning Roe v. Wade. She opposed Donald J. Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, condemning his remarks about women and his criticism of Senator John McCain’s military service, though she endorsed Trump in 2020 amid a primary challenge. Despite friction with party conservatives, she maintained a focus on fiscal responsibility and defense spending.

Granger is survived by her three children, including sons J.D. and Brandon, daughter Chelsea Elizabeth Granger, and five grandchildren. Her sister, Mary Lynn O’Day, predeceased her in 2020. Granger’s nearly 30-year congressional career left a lasting impact on Texas politics and defense policy.