Barbara Lou Hutcheson

A Memorial Service for Barbara Lou Hutcheson, age 81, of Jet, will be at 10:00 AM Thursday, July 26, 2012, at the United Methodist Church in Jet. Cremation arrangements are by Anderson-Burris Funeral Home and Crematory. Barbara Lou McDowell was born June 28, 1931 to Willard and Audrey McDowell. Her older brother’s name was Don. At the age of four, she lost her mother Audrey, and went to live with Vertice and Gladys Tucker, Audrey’s sister and brother-in-law, where she was lovingly cared for and where she attended Jet Public Schools. She was crowned football queen and was involved in many music and school activities, graduating in 1949. It is also where she met the love of her life, Merle Hutcheson. They were married on May 26, 1950. To this union, they had three children, Robert Duane, Barbara Gayle, and Helen Joyce. She went to NW State University to further her career in music and graduated with a bachelor degree. She had a double major in music and elementary education. She then taught remedial reading and kindergarten at Helena. The student loved her and Merle and asked them to be Senior Class sponsors, which took them to Washington D.C. and New York City. Barbara was a lifelong member of the Timberlake and then Jet Methodist Churches, where she played the piano and organ, was the choir leader and accompanied anyone that needed her skills at the piano. She taught many to tickle the keyboards and enjoyed accompanying those competing at the Cinderella Pageant, Tri-State Music Festival, Timberlake/Jet and Enid Schools, weddings, and funerals. She was an avid OSU sports fan and she and Merle were honored at the Timberlake Sports Banquet for being Timberlake’s # 1 fans of the year. Barbara helped with the Oklahoma Blood Institute and was their volunteer of the year. She loved people very much, but her first love was God and then family. She was a great farmer’s wife and helped Merle with all aspects of farm life, including hauling baby twin calves in the pickup, and hauling hay in a blizzard when Merle was laid-up with knee surgery. Barbara also helped with the USDA agriculture census, and loved going around and talking to area farmers about their crops. Barbara was blessed and survived by five grandchildren: Brad Dean Sullivan, Tammi Lyn Themins, Dusty Duane Sullivan, Erin Daniel Klein, and Bree Tyrel Roller; eight great-grandchildren, Brooke and Linkken Sullivan, Tayvian and Tate Quintero, Wesley and Preston Themins, Aydan and Arik Roller; her sister Pat Nosworthy; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. On May 26, 2012, she celebrated 62 years with her sweetheart, Merle. Barbara was preceded in death by both sets of parents, and brother Don. Barbara (Bobbie) has gone to her heavenly home to watch over those she leaves behind as her legacy. Her prayers are with all of those who were touched by her loving heart and her cheerful soul. She made Earth a much better place to be.

Barbara Lou Hutcheson

June 28, 1931 - July 26, 2012