Nita Sue Barnes

Nita Sue Barnes was born on August 13th, 1944 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of Gunter Hendricks and Delora Hendricks. Her brother, Jerry McNiel and her first cousin, Mardell Gable were her best buddies growing up. Nita was a graduate of Tahlequah High School. She worked at Cherokee County Election Board for many years. On weekends, she would load her car up with sandwiches and a jug of sweet tea to head off to watch her boys rodeo. She sacrificed a lot to be able to watch her kids compete every weekend. She traveled many miles watching her kids, grandkids and great grandkids rodeo and play ball. She loved every minute of it.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Gunter Hendricks and Delora Hendricks, her brother, Jerry McNiel, her nephew, Joel McNiel and her great granddaughter, Taylee Mae Trammel.

Those left to cherish her memory are her kids, Brian Barnes and wife Barb of Grove, Oklahoma, Benny Barnes and wife Latashia of Flora Vista, New Mexico, Tommy Barnes and wife Jeannie of Ignacio, Colorado, Janice Carr and husband George of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Roy Dell Barnes of Claremore, Oklahoma. She is also survived by a sister, Laura Jo Weir and husband Scott of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, her grandkids, Jamie Sue Praslicka and husband Michael of Richwood, Texas, Lacy Jo Barnes and Dean Daly of Council, Idaho, Chance Gunter Barnes and wife Kaycee of Chadron, Nebraska, Bandy Barnes of Vinita, Oklahoma, Callie Kelley and husband Sean of May, Texas, Errin Trammel and husband Brandon of Moodys, Oklahoma and Drew Carr of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, her great grandkids, Pistol Joe Barnes, Kolby Shane Barnes, Kodie Mae Barnes, Lonnie Kelley, Waylon Kelley, Brodie Kelley, Stetson Kelley, Ryder Kelley, Tate Trammel, Tessa Trammel, Gunter Carr, Hestin Carr, and Maysa Mae Carr. She also leaves behind many cousins that were like brothers and sisters to her.

She blessed many of cowboys over the years with her open door, giving them a place to stay until they moved on to the next rodeo. Her love of family, friends and the rodeo will live on with all those she touched with her smile, feisty nature and friendly spirit.

Funeral services for Nita Sue will be held on Wednesday, March 15th, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Reed-Culver Funeral Chapel with John Rozell officiating. She will be laid to rest at Tahlequah City Cemetery. Pallbearers for Nita include Chance Gunter Barnes, Lacy Jo Barnes, Jamie Sue Praslicka, Bandy Barnes, Callie Kelley, Drew Carr and Errin Trammel. Honorary pallbearers are Dusty Fuller, Danny Joe Baker and Sgt. Clayton Mores.

Her family will have a visitation on Tuesday, March 14th, 2023 beginning at 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Reed-Culver Chapel. Online condolences for her family may be left at www.reedculver.com.