Memory Lane Cemetery, Caddo County, Oklahoma

© Lawton Constitution
Lawton, Oklahoma
18 February2009

Cornelia Jean [Ware] Barber

ANADARKO - Funeral for Cornelia Jean Barber, 79, Anadarko, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Ware's Chapel.

Prayer service will be at 7 p.m. today at Ware's Chapel.

Mrs. Barber died Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009, in an Oklahoma City hospital.

Burial will be in Memory Lane Cemetery under direction of Steverson Funeral Home, Anadarko.

She was born Oct. 4, 1929, in Anadarko, to Ted and Gina Quoetone Ware. During her youth, she helped her father by playing the piano during services.

She graduated from Anadarko High School in 1947. She attended Southeastern State College, Durant, East Central University, Ada, and Cameron State Agricultural College, earning her bachelor's degree in business.

She married Homer Lee "Russ" Barber on Sept. 27, 1978.

She worked 25 years with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in administration and education, and in economic development for the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in Washington, D.C., Denver, and Dallas. She also was with the USPHS finance department. She was the first female director of the United Tribes and worked for 20 years with various tribes and their programs including WCD, Kiowa and Wichita tribes. She set up the tribal enrollment program for the Delawares. She was a member of Mount Scott United Methodist Indian Church, the Homemakers Club, Alanon, and for several years a member of the Caddo County Absentee Voting Board.

Survivors include two daughters and a son-in-law: Donna and James "Mike" Watkins, and Frances Palmer; a son and daughter-in-law, Cecil Ted and Theresa Sheridan; 13 grandchildren; 33 greatgrandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter; other close relatives; and many close friends including Patty Turley and Nellie Pugh.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a brother, Cecil Ted Ware; a daughter, Clarissa Jean Sheridan; and a great-granddaughter, Amber Shane Palmer.

Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist "Forward In Faith" Fund, 715 SW H, Lawton 73501, or to Hospice of Southwest Oklahoma, 1930 Ferris, Suite 5, Lawton 73507.

Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.