Mary Barnes

Mary Louise Theresa Poteet Barnes was born in Jeanerette, Louisiana, June 14, 1929 to Nora May Carrow and Don Chester Poteet. She departed this life Wednesday, January 15, 2020. On October 28, 1947, she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Robert Lee Barnes, aka Bob, in Perry Oklahoma. They were partners and best friends for 62 wonderful years. Together they loved to go fishing and golfing. They loved to travel to Texarkana and Zapata, TX on fishing excursions. Mary thought the fish were bigger there, because everything is bigger in Texas. Mary loved nature and animals. She was a bit like Snow White. No matter where she lived, there was always a bird, or a squirrel, or a duck, or a goose, or a swan, or a catfish or a neighbor’s dog that she named and insisted that it needed a certain kind of food because it was ‘Special’. She even had a fox that frequented her backyard, he was treated extra special. She also had an affinity for nice shoes, and purses, and Lancôme lipstick, and basically ANYTHING from Dillard’s. She spent so much time at Dillard’s, Papa, aka Bob, would joke that Mary was having an affair with Mr. Dillard and he had the receipts to prove it. Mary also loved her fingernails and ALWAYS had them perfectly manicured and painted. Her nail polish collection was quite popular with the grandkids. It was a treat if she let you pick out your own polish. Mary and Bob started their family on May 29, 1948, when their son, Robert Curtis Barnes was born. Next came baby Judy Kay, June 8, 1949. Mary thought baby Judy was the prettiest baby she had ever seen and she was heartbroken when Judy died a few short hours after her birth. Then along came baby number three, Patricia Ann Barnes, born November 12, 1950. Mary loved being a mom and loved to sew little outfits for them, often adding an owl iron-on to Patty’s outfits. She loved being a stay-at-home mom and loved to cook for her family. She also loved ironing EVERYTHING in the house. Mary was a volunteer at St. Mary’s hospital and had various other jobs, but her favorite job was taking care of her family. When the grandkids joined the family, she continued to sew little outfits, until she learned about Montgomery Wards, Lambert’s, and Sears. She had quite the taste for fashion and she loved to dress the granddaughters in matching everything; matching dresses, matching pajamas, matching robes, matching house shoes, even matching dolls. As she got older, she would often dress to match Bob, although she says it was never on purpose. Mary, aka Nanny, also took pride in instilling manners into her children and grandchildren. She would often be heard saying, “Mabel Mabel, it’s no fable, get your elbows off the table!” Mary, aka Mary Louise Theresa, Weezie, Momma, Nanny, Nan, whatever she was called, she was loved by all who knew her. She always had a way of bringing a smile, at just the right moment. She will be greatly missed, but her loving legacy will live on. For the past few months, she has been ‘riding a train’, well, that train finally made its destination and what a great reunion there was.

She is survived by her son, Robert C. Barnes (Bobby) and wife Vicki of Bristow, daughter Patsy Anderson of Enid; seven grandchildren Don and Angel Balenti, Jason and Jessica Davidson, John Robert and Pam Barnes, Eric and Erin Murray, Emmy and Andrew Hackler, Cody and Christina Anderson and Jake Abraham. Great grandchildren: Serena and Ariana Balenti, Brady, Abby and Bella Balenti, Jason Davidson, Dustie and Blayne Barnes, Kallie Jo Inman, Ryan and Nicole Spencer and Eric Abraham, Anderson Hackler, and Lila Anderson. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Robert C. Barnes, her daughter Judy Kay, her sister Donna Davis, her mother Nora May Shields, and her father Don C. Poteet.

Condolences may be made online at www.ladusauevans.com

. A Celebration of Mary’s life will be at a later date. Cremation and services are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.