Barbara Lee Minard

Barbara Lee Minard passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 2nd in Tulsa, OK at St. John's Hospital at the age of 89. She was surrounded by loved ones in her final hours. She was born in Fort Smith, AR. The daughter of Blannie and Edgar Quarry. She had two older sisters, Ruby and Eula, and a younger brother which she doted on, Bill. She grew up in the town of Cavenaugh, AR and graduated from Northside High School in 1953. She took a job as a bookkeeper after school, a profession she would work in the line of for 50 plus years and could do the work of three women she would say. On April Fools Day in 1959, she had a blind date which she had reluctantly agreed to with a guy named Cecil. The joke was on her however as that man would become her husband a few short months later. They were married that 16th of July by a pastor in his overalls because he had been painting and they were too excited to wait for him to change clothes. They would go on to raise three daughters, Cecila, Teresa, and Belinda. They spent 36 years of marital bliss together until he passed in 1996. Anyone that knew Barbara would describe her as a strong woman. Strong minded, strong willed, and strong in her faith. She was a rock for her family for them to lean on when they needed some of that strength. She was caring, thoughtful, and compassionate. One of her favorite things to do was slip you some cash when she thought you could use a little extra and then wrestle you when you'd try to give it back. She was adventurous and loved finding a good bargain rather it be a thrift shop or a grocery store. She also enjoyed going to the casino and playing slots, although she insisted that she only did it for business not her entertainment. If she asked you if you had a $20, you had better know what that meant. She loved watching Oklahoma City Thunder games and relaxing with a glass of sunset blush, she loved her cat, Mila and most importantly she loved her family. A love which she would often show with food. From her famous chicken and dumplings that would sink you to the bottom of a pool, to a pan of Jell-O which she would use 10 cans of fruit, or ordering an absurd amount of fast food just so she could laugh at the employees reaction. She didn't believe in doing anything small and lived her life to the fullest. She will be missed dearly but always be in our hearts. Knowing that she is reunited eternally with Cecil and happy gives the family a sense of peace and closure. If we can all apply just some of her best qualities and traits that she possessed to our everyday lives, we would all be better people because of it. And if you see a penny sitting heads up, grab it. It might just give you a little luck too. She is survived by her daughters, Cecila, Belinda and her husband Don. Her Grandchildren, Brandon and his wife Jennifer Minard, Alan and his wife Meleah Minard, Mitchell and his wife Jesika Fuson , and Crystal and her husband Dustin White. And multiple great grandchildren Bryan, Vince, Madison, Amber, Hanna, Corbin, Shelby, Caleb, ShaNeal, and Eryk.

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Barbara Lee Minard

October 28, 1935 - January 2, 2025