Helen Arlene (Boyd) Barnes, known as Arlene, passed away lovingly surrounded by her family on February 5, 2025, at the age of 86. Arlene was known for her kindness, grace, compassion, generosity, love of her family and friends and the undeniably loving spirit she brought into the world. Arlene’s life can be encapsulated by 5 simple but profoundly important words, Faith, Family, Friends, Food and Fun. In her almost 87 years here with us she experienced an abundance of each.
Arlene was born February 18, 1938, to Alva Sherman and Lu Ellen (McGee) Boyd in Ripley, Oklahoma. Arlene graduated from Ripley High School with the Class of 1956. She met and married the love of her life, Charles Barnes on June 21, 1957, in Cushing. Undeniably one of her most significant accomplishments was her loving marriage of nearly 57 years and raising her three daughters, Janet, Sharon, and Linda, whom she held as her pride and joy.
Arlene was passionate about her faith and a true pillar of her faith community. As a lifelong and loyal member of the Big Creek Church of the Brethren, she served as Treasurer for 37 years and was a proud member of the Woman’s Fellowship Group. For countless years, she shared her joy (and unmatched mastery) of cooking and baking by Chairing the Brethren Kitchen Committee, and it was here that her genuine love of serving others shown brightest. Arlene was a past member of the OCAW Women’s Auxiliary until the group disbanded.
Arlene enjoyed square dancing and could be regularly seen with Charlie at the Oil Patch Twirlers square dance club for many years. The beauty of nature was important to Arlene, and she always looked forward to camping trips with her close-knit group of friends where fun and laughter were abundant. She loved to travel and was fortunate to see and experience many places but particularly she valued and treasured time with her sister on their many trips to Branson, MO. Arlene also enjoyed playing hand and foot with her weekly card group (and was a fierce competitor) as well as gardening where no weed was safe in her presence.
As a mother of 3 and grandmother of 5 and a great grandmother of 11, Arlene was the heart of the Barnes family. Her kitchen was the gathering place for Sunday dinners, holiday celebrations and impromptu moments shared with family and friends. Her homemade cinnamon rolls and pies were legendary, and she delighted in teaching the recipe to each new generation. Her dogs, Maggie and Beau, spent many hours in her lap and were truly treasured members of the family.
Arlene was always known for her untiring work ethic. In the early days growing up on the farm in Ripley, she learned to pick cotton in the fields before she was five years old, where she managed to always out-pick her older brother Kenneth, much to his chagrin. In addition to helping with the housework and caring for her younger siblings, she supported her mother with the farm work, milking cows, tending the garden, and canning the fruits of their labor. These early experiences shaped her, and she never tired away from hard work.
She began her professional career while still in high school at the Dairy Hut under the tutelage of Buelah Pote, who passed on many life lessons. She went on to work for Consolidated Gas Company, the predecessor to Arkla Gas. Arlene left the gas company to stay home to raise her family. During this time, she had the pleasure of babysitting many children in her home. Arlene worked for Big Four Petroleum Company, and eventually managed the Sears store in Cushing and its successor, Hometown Brand Center in Stillwater for many years. Arlene returned to work in Cushing at Cushing Metals. After the closure of Cushing Metals, Arlene went to work for and eventually retired from Oklahoma State University at the age of 79, where she worked in athletic and veteran certification.
Arlene will be desperately missed by all those she left behind. She was one of a kind and to be loved by her was to be truly blessed.
Arlene is survived by her loving daughters Janet Rich and husband, Denver, Sharon Barnes and Linda Townley and husband, Steve; Beloved siblings, Kenneth Boyd, Wilma Gregg and Prentice Boyd and wife, Louree; Cherished grandchildren, Tiffany Myers, David Gaut and wife, Tracy, Austin Townley and wife, Meagan, Ashley Bode and husband, William, and J.W. Rich and wife, Kaitey; Cherished great-grandchildren, Emilyn, Logan, Trenton, Tanner, Brandt, Hadley, Cason, Ryleigh, Skylar, Greyson and Brynlee; and many nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.
Arlene was reunited with her husband Charles Barnes (February 21, 2014), her parents, brother, Wilbur Boyd and his wife, Bernice; sister-in-law, Kay Boyd; brother-inlaw, Tommy Gregg and one greatgrandson, Archer Myers, all who preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at the Big Creek Church of the Brethren. Burial will follow in the Church Yard Cemetery.
The family will greet friends on Monday evening from 5 – 7 p.m., for a viewing, at the Family Center of the Matherly-Davis Funeral Home, Cushing, OK.
Memorials in lieu of flowers should be sent to the Arlene Barnes Memorial Fund at the Big Creek Church of the Brethren c/o Nancy Chipukites, 3808 West Grandstaff Road, Cushing, OK 74023.
Services are under the direction of the Matherly Davis Funeral Home. You may share your condolences with Arlene’s family at www. matherlydavisfuneralhome.com
