Charlene Gaye Barbour

May 11, 1930 ~ March 20, 2017

Charlene Gaye Barbour, 86, passed away on Monday in Oklahoma City. She was born May 11, 1930 in Oklahoma City, OK to Charles Wyatt Elliott and Viola Marie Lamm. Charlene graduated from Classen High School in 1948 and attended the University of Oklahoma. She met her husband of 66 years, Thomas D Barbour, while attending Mrs. Simm’s Dance School in Junior High. Charlene was fond of saying “Tom was the best dancer then….and still is!” They married on August 4, 1950 at Westminster Presbyterian Church and children soon followed.

Charlene is survived by her husband, Tom, her daughter, Nancy L. Barbour of Belvedere, CA, son, Thomas D. Barbour, Jr. and his wife Susan of Bellvue, CO; three grandsons, Bryan T. Barbour and his wife Jackie, Cory R. Barbour, and Sean E. Barbour. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Mary V. Klein and Kaye J. Johnson.

Charlene was very active and had an array of hobbies. She spent her entire life enjoying music, especially the piano; she made it a point to play every day. She was a long-term member at Westminster Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir for over 30 years. She also loved snow skiing and was a member of the Ski Meister’s Ski Club in Winter Park, CO. Charlene played tennis in a woman’s tennis league and was an avid swimmer at the North Side YMCA. She maintained, with her gardener, Jerry Krausz, a beautiful flower garden at her home that she took great pride in. Charlene also organized the formation and development of Nichols Road Park, which still exists today for residents to enjoy. Her long-term passion though was painting. Her home displayed some of the most beautiful expressions of landscapes, flowers, family members, and pets. She was a member of the Nichols Hills Methodist Church Art Club. Charlene was also a member of the Oklahoma City Art Society, The Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and she was a former President of the Queensbury Club of the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. While in college Charlene was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. Above all, her most valued accomplishment was her long time marriage to Tom and her devotion to her family.

Memorial Services will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, March 27, 2017 at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be Sunday, March 26, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. ~ 8:00 p.m., with family to greet friends from 4:00 p.m. ~ 6:00 p.m. at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper.

Arrangements under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors, Oklahoma City, OK.