Barbara Ann Whittlesey's Obituary
Barbara Ann Whittlesey was born August 15, 1941, in Haworth, Oklahoma, to Floyd and Lorene Hughes Pollard. She passed away peacefully at her home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, on June 21, 2026.
Barbara lived a full life filled with joy & laughter. She grew up in Idabel, Oklahoma where she was the Idabel High School Drum Majorette. She loved to travel and was a Life Master Bridge Player—an achievement she wore with unmistakable pride. She loved spending time fishing, relaxing and enjoying time with her family at her vacation home on Lake Eufaula.
She was an incredible cook and gardener and had a special appreciation for music. She especially enjoyed listening to her children & grandchildren play guitar, piano and sing.
Barbara retired after 30 years of dedicated service with the Oklahoma State Department of Human Services, where her compassion and commitment touched countless lives.
Most importantly, Barbara loved the Lord. She shared her faith openly and generously, planting seeds of belief, hope, and grace in her family that will continue to grow long after her passing.
Fiercely independent, full of spirit, and endlessly loving, Barbara leaves behind a legacy of laughter, love, and blessings. Her presence will be deeply missed, but her influence will remain woven into the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know her.
Barbara is reunited with her husband Wesley Whittlesey; her parents Floyd and Lorene Pollard; her siblings Gene Pollard, and Helen Abdo; and her grandson Jeremy Deavenport.
She is survived by her children Stacey and husband Jeff Deavenport, Steve and wife Stephanie Powers, and Lance and wife Eleanor Powers; grandchildren Shana and husband Ronnie Beaty, Jeffrey and wife Haley Deavenport, Stefani and husband Jeremy VanDress, A.J. and wife Ashlee Powers, Nathan Powers, Holden Powers, Lilly and husband Cole Snowden; her great grandchildren Haley Beaty, Jordan Beaty, Hannah Deavenport, Wesley Powers, Josephine Powers, and Weston Deavenport; her siblings Floyd and wife Vicki Pollard and James Pollard; along with a host of other family and friends that will forever love and miss her.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Habitat for Humanity (https://www.habitat.org/donate/?link=628) in Barbara’s honor—an organization that reflects her heart for helping others build a better life.
The family also extends heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated caregivers who provided such comfort in her final years and a special thank you to the caregivers from First Call Home Health and Choice Hospice for their kindness, compassion, and unwavering support in her final weeks.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 25th, 2026 starting at 11:00 am at the Redland Church of Christ, 102 Redland Road in Idabel, OK. Burial at Denison Cemetery, 2311 SE Washington Street, Idabel, OK.
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