Paula Jane Barker's Obituary
Paula Jane (Ridgway) Barker was born on October 18, 1927, to Herbert G. and Mary Elise Ridgway, in Hugo, Oklahoma. She passed into heaven on July 27, 2026.
Paula grew up in Durant, Oklahoma. Her brothers, Ronald Ridgway and Jack Ridgway, predeceased her. She graduated from Durant High School and attended Southeastern State College.
She met Phil C. Barker when he saw her sitting in a classroom at Southeastern State. He was an Army veteran returning to college. They were married on July 24, 1948 in Durant, Oklahoma. When Phil was recalled to the Army, they lived in Kileen, Texas, Lawton, Oklahoma and Arlington, Virginia. After that time, they moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, for Phil's job and eventually relocated to Bixby, when his job transferred him to Tulsa. He passed away in 1985.
She and Phil joined Riverview Baptist Church when they moved to Bixby. She worked in the church office as a financial secretary for several years. Later, she was a a member of Arrow Heights Baptist Church. She accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior at a young age and remained steadfast in her faith through her years.
She also taught piano to the neighborhood children in Bartlesville and Bixby. She and Phil loved to camp and fish.
Paula is survived by her three children, Steve Barker (Diane) of Tulsa, Linda Cox (Arthur) of Broken Arrow, and Carole Beu (John) of Broken Arrow. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Katie Cox Oats, Matthew Cox (Rachel), David Beu, and Nathan Beu (Kristen). She also is survived by five great grandchildren: Rylee, Aiden, Amari, Henry & Fenton.
She was a wonderful mother who will be greatly missed.
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