Barbara S. Morris went to be with the Lord on November 9, 2019 (with her family by her side) at 80 years old.

Barbara lived a long and happy life.  She was born on March 8, 1939 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma to Herbert and Irene (Edmonds) Wittman, the youngest of three children.  She had one sister, Phyllis Jean and one brother, Jerry Edward.  When she was a young child, the family moved to Henryetta, Oklahoma.  Barbara's mother passed away when she was only 14 years old.  As her siblings were grown and gone, she and her dad had to learn a new normal and spent many days at his flower shop, and eating at The Patty Ann diner and the White Way Café.  They both felt they had been orphaned and became very close.  After a year, her dad married Frone (Marler) Wittman and mom gained another sister, Joyce Ann and brother, Dennis Ray.  She sure loved her new little siblings.

Barbara went to school in Henryetta and graduated in 1957.  She was a cheerleader, sang in the choir, acted in school plays and played the drums in the band.  She often spoke about the plays she acted in and about going to the Cotton Bowl with the band.  She had such fond memories of those times.

One night, during her Junior year, she and some friends were out "dragging main" and she met a handsome young man named James Morris.  She went home that night and told her sister, "I just met the man I'm going to marry".  Sure enough, two years later, they eloped on March 29, 1958 and began their 54 wonderful years together.  To this union were born four children:  Kimberly Sue, James Christopher, Gregory Allen and Sandra Michelle.  Barbara and James lived many places the first few years they were married, due to James being in the military, but early in 1971, they moved to Sapulpa, Oklahoma where they would make their home.

Barbara began her walk with the Lord in November of 1960 when she accepted the faith and was baptized into the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn by Bro. Melvin Johnson.  They assembled at Sapulpa and Barbara was faithful in the spiritual gifts given her.  Many times over the years she was led to sing in tongues and it was so beautiful you surely knew you had sat in a heavenly place.  She loved being with the brethren and spent many happy years traveling and going to campouts to be with them.

Early on, when Barbara still had young children at home, she found time late at night for herself.  After she'd put the kids to bed, she'd pop popcorn and watch Johnny Carson.  The kids would smell her popcorn and hear her laughter, and would be so jealous that they had to go to bed while she had all the fun!  Barbara loved to sew and many times a new dress for one of the girls would be laid out and waiting to be worn the next morning.  As her kids grew up and moved away, Barbara spent her time writing poems, painting beautiful paintings and shopping. Boy, did she love to shop!  She passed that gene down to her daughter, Sandy, and they spent many hours together enjoying this past time.

As her kids grew up and had families of their own, Barbara had a new joy in her life in the form of grandkids.  She loved being a Grandma.  She was always doing something to entertain them, whether it was making elaborate Halloween costumes for them or searching the internet to find ways to beat the Zelda game.  The grands were always so excited to come to her house to see what she'd been up to.  She truly loved them, and in a world where few things are reliable, they could always count on their grandma to be there for them.  A few years ago, she was blessed to become a Great-Grandma (GiGi) when Brooke, Graycie, Cade and Kinsley Kate entered her world.   Grandchildren truly were the great joy of her life.  The past few months, she lived in Texas with Kim and was blessed to spend so much time with her Great-Granddaughter, Kinsley.  They had a special bond and that will forever be a cherished memory.

After James passed away, Barbara had a special group of friends step up and include her in their world.  These are her "Wahoo" friends, and she cherished them.  She spent days and days in their company, playing Wahoo, cards, dominos and Bunco.  The family wants to say a special thank you to them, as it will always be a fond memory.  As Barbara's health worsened, she spent her days with her daughters in their homes, drinking Dr. Pepper and watching her beloved game shows, with a smile on her face the whole time.  When she was a very young girl, her dad, who owned the flower shop, told her, "Our customers don't care if you've had a bad day.  They are here for a purpose and they want to see you smile."  Barbara took that advice to heart and always had a cheerful smile for anyone she encountered.  On that same note, she never met a stranger.  She had the gift of gab and could talk to ANYONE.  Her children teased her of this, many times, but what a blessing it was to be in the company of someone that could make anyone feel like a friend.  That joyful demeanor will certainly be missed.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, James Morris, her son, James Christopher Morris, her parents, Herb and Irene Wittman, her step-mother, Frone Wittman, her brother, Jerry Wittman, and her sister-in-law, Joy Wittman.  Barbara is survived by her sister, Phyllis Thompson, brother, Dennis Wittman, sister, Joyce Ann Sams, sister in law, Patti Douglas, her daughter, Kim (and husband, Bill) Retherford, son, Greg (and wife, Debbie) Morris, daughter, Sandy Jasper, grandchildren:  Stephanie Retherford, Justin (and wife Heather) Retherford, Shannon (and husband, Jason) Maxwell, Wade Jasper and Sheridan Jasper, her Great Grandchildren, Brooke, Grayci, Cade and Kinsley Kate, and a host of cherished nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and loved ones.

She will truly be missed.  The song may be ended, but the melody lingers on…

Services will be held as follows:

Visitation

Monday, November 11, 2019; Noon - 3:00 p.m. at Palmer Marler Funeral Home, Cushing, Oklahoma.

Monday, November 11, 2019; 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at the Church of the Firstborn, Sapulpa, Oklahoma.

Funeral Services

Tuesday, November 12, 2019; 11:00 a.m. at the Church of the Firstborn, Sapulpa, Oklahoma.

Graveside Services

Tuesday, November 12, 2019; 3:00 p.m. at Parkland Cemetery, Parkland, Oklahoma.