Barbara Ann Bennett's Obituary
Barbara was born on January 22, 1933 in Sperry, OK, the first of three children for George and Dorothy Marcum. When asked for her birth date, she was fond of responding with a laugh, “1-22-33, and no, I don’t stutter!”Growing up, Barbara was a bit of a tomboy and had an enthusiastic zest for life. She could ride bareback as well as any boy, and once tried riding a half grown calf when a horse wasn’t available. She loved to tell stories of growing up in the country and of spending time on her Grandparents’ farm in Nowata.Over the years, Barbara wore many different hats in her working career, including photo coloring at Excel Photo Finishing, waitressing, serving as a pharmacy assistant, greeting travelers and working the gift counter for Sky Chef/American Airlines. Her last and longest tenure was with Zebco, retiring just shy of her 20 year anniversary.After an earlier marriage and the birth of two daughters, Linda and Donna, Barbara met and married her soul mate and love of her life, Jack Bennett. They were deeply devoted to each other throughout their 43 year marriage; no two people ever loved each other more. In their early years together they were avid golfers before discovering their shared love of bowling. Barbara took on the job of league secretary and kept busy, as they were often members of two or three leagues simultaneously. They bowled all over Tulsa and participated in many out of state tournaments. Sam’s Town in Las Vegas was one of their favorite trips. Their next phase of recreational activities involved boating, which enhanced their other passion – fishing. Barbara had always enjoyed fishing; photos throughout her life document her ability as an angler. Family trips to the lake to fish and ski were among their all-time favorite pastimes.Barbara was extremely self-sufficient and possessed a multitude of talents. She could fix, repair or rehab anything she set her mind to. In her younger days, she could take apart a car engine and have it back in running order all on her own. Later on, she tackled restoring their interiors. Barbara’s upholstery skills were legendary. She could redo just about anything and have it looking better than new. She also gardened with a passion vegetables, ornamental plants and flowers. For a number of years African violets were her favorite project. She shared that passion with her mother and they enjoyed attending the flower shows and growers market together. They grew hundreds of plants of at least 20 varieties in their commercial quality racks.Barbara and Jack were huge animal lovers. They had a number of pets over the years, starting with her beloved Pomeranian, Muggins. Their final two very spoiled fur babies, Gizmo and Tippy, were miniature Italian Greyhounds. She became active in the dog show community, attending classes and training Tippy for competitions.Barbara was the family caretaker, always lending a hand and helping in any capacity needed. She was tenacious and loved her family fiercely. Her two daughters, of whom she was so proud, enlarged the family with son-in-laws of whom she was equally proud. The children that came from those two unions filled her life with love and joy. Barbara’s family and friends will miss her beyond words.Barbara is survived by a sister, Marilyn Keirsey and husband Boyd; a brother, George Marcum and wife DiAnne; daughters, Linda Cardwell and husband Lynn, Donna Thulin and husband Mickey; grandchildren, Donneda Estes and husband Billy, Mickey Thulin, Jr. and wife Tammy, Jeffrey Cardwell and wife Allison, Kristopher Cardwell, and James Thulin; great grandchildren, Shellie Sanders and husband Kevin; Rebekah Thulin, Trey Thulin, and Miranda Thulin; Anna Lynn Cardwell; Courtney Estes, Rosie Estes, Jacob Estes, and Elijah Estes; great-great grandchildren, Jaelyn Sanders and Malakai Sanders, and many extended family members.Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2015 from 12 pm to 8 pm at Floral Haven Funeral Home of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Services will be held on Monday, November 9, 2015 at 12:30 pm at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
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