Wilma Barnes

Wilma Mae Barnes, longtime resident of Ponca City, passed peacefully in her sleep at her home on January 7, 2011. She was 86 years of age.

Wilma was born January 26, 1924 in Howell County, Missouri, the daughter of William Elbert Bristow and Augusta Inez Keeler Bristow. She attended the Ponca City Schools with her four brothers. She was employed three years with the Boeing Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas before moving to Ponca City where she lived the rest of her life. After returning to Ponca City, Wilma became a fulltime homemaker. She was married to Bobby Barnes on March 21, 1998. The couple attended the First Lutheran Church.

Wilma is survived by her husband, Bobby, of the home two sons, Kyle Shepard and Norvel LaBlue and his wife, Sheila, all of Ponca City their children and grandchildren include Joshua Shepard of Wichita, Kansas, Kyla Shepard of Kansas City, Kansas, Kristin LaBlue Rosamond and her husband, Bill, and their children, Connor and Austin, all of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Megan LaBlue of Tulsa, Tacy Sneed and her son Trevor, Damon Sneed and Tanner Sneed, all of Ponca City. Two stepsons, Danny LaBlue and wife, Kathy, of Blackwell, and Jim LaBlue and wife, Darlene a former daughterinlaw, Jan Nicholson, Peachtree, Georgia.

Wilma was admired by many as an uncomplicated woman whose sweet spirit allowed an open door for friends and extended family. She loved to be with family during the holidays and was a wonderful cook. Wilma was loved and respected by so many who received a nonjudgmental heart and a listening ear. Wilmas life included many grandchildren through an extended family. Tami, Jimmie, Camille, Beau, Austin, Brent and Cindy and all their children held a special place that she talked about often and loved them all.

Additional family members include Susie and Doug Lay, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma Clifford and Joyce Barnes, Donald and Linda Barnes, all of Cromwell, Oklahoma, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents four brothers, Starling Bristow, Winfried Bristow, Everett Bristow and Harold Bristow three grandchildren, Dustin Kyle Shepard, Terry LaBlue and Brian LaBlue.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at the First Lutheran Church with Pastor Tom Ramsey presiding. Interment will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Casket bearers will be Ronald Barnes, Josh Shepard, Tanner Sneed, Damon Sneed, Bill Rosamond and Jimmie LaBlue.