Barbara Elizabeth Arendall-Hitz

Funeral services will be held at "Church of the Good Shepherd" Episcopal Church at 1007 Burnett St. Wichita Falls TX 76301 on Thursday January 11, 2024. Graveside service will be at Hampton Vaughan Crestview Memorial Park under direction of Father Elmer Miguel, with a reception back at the church, to enjoy a shared meal and time of reflection.

Barbara was born on September 13th, 1946 in Wichita Falls Texas to Harold and Esther (Bohanan) Yarger. She was raised in Wichita Falls, Attend Elementary and Junior High there and graduated from Rider High School in 1965.

Barbara was married to Jimmy Odom and shortly after moved to Grand Prairie, where she enjoyed both being a mother to Dawn and Gary as well as becoming a successful business administrator eventually working her way up the ladder to supervisor and director of Human Resources. It was during this time (around the early 80's)she found a little Episcopal church in Dallas Texas called "Church of the Resurrection", this marked a special time in her life, increasing the love she always had for God, having been brought up in Faith Baptist Church in her youth in Wichita Falls. Though facing life’s challenges she added to her family another little girl, Christy Sue Arendall, who blessed our little family.

With the increasing need to support her family as a single parent she continued learning Computer Technology growing with it even learning to write software programs for new upcoming businesses. She was so good at it she started her own business called HR Assist. Personally she had a love for antiques and opened her own little shop while continuing to work for companies until her health began to decline with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Although her health slowed her down from the business world, her love for family grew as she became a grandmother and eventually a Great-Grandmother. Barbara was adventurous, fun loving, giving, she had a love for animals especially her cats and her grand-dog Jackson (owners: her son Gary and his wife Kristi Odom). She enjoyed family time and meals together, her excitement for life was contagious. She had some friends who remained with her all the way till the end, (Jane Bradley). She enjoyed a special relationship with her cousin in California, Glynda Sickles who encouraged Barbara to "use her voice”, this would become even more necessary as time went on and so did declining health. But through it all her faith in Christ did not decline, it only grew, even in great physical pain she would find an old hymn to sing to lift her up above life's woes. She carried herself with class using what she could to make a difference in someone's life. Often encouraging the younger aids and nurses, if only to give them a giggle it would make her day. She only longed for more time that she could have shared with the many she loved, especially her sister, her children, and grandchildren beloved.

She is survived by her 3 children, Dawn LaFerney, Gary Odom and Christy Arendall, Her Sister Carol Bisbee, husband Greg Bisbee, Her 8 grandkids, Jaidon, Jordan, Jesse, Jonna, Jacob and Joseph LaFerney. As well Amber Arendall and Aiden Smith. Her 4 Great Grandkids: Linnie LaFerney, Remy LaFerney White-Mountain, Iris Brown and Kellar LaFerney, *with another girl on the way!

There is no doubt an empty place now on this earth where Barbara once was. She will be missed and thought of often for all the love she had to give. Until we meet again.

Viewing is yet to be determined. The Funeral service at the Church of the Good Shepherd will be live streamed. You may visit their website or Facebook page. More details will be posted at a later time.