|
| |
Barbara Mae Crary was born October 1, 1939, to Kelly Eugene Crary and Velma Vera Chase in Great Bend, Kansas. She passed away December 23, 2025, at the age of 86.
Barbara’s family moved to Sparks, OK where she graduated high school and met James Richard Dingman. They were married June 15, 1957, in Kendrick, Oklahoma. To this union three children were born, Krystal Ann, Tamilia Sue and Terrance DeWayne, (Krystal, Tammy and Terry). Jim and Barbara made their first home in Cushing, Oklahoma, moving a few times before ending up back on the family farm for many years before moving to Davenport. They remained in Davenport until the kids were raised, moving back to the family farm where Jim finished his life. Barbara then returned to Davenport.
Barbara was very active in her community. She was a member of the Eastern Stars, Davenport Chamber of Commerce and OK Route 66 Association and was employed at the Davenport New Era for many years.
Barbara enjoyed life to the fullest. She loved her family, she camped, travelled and attended sports events. Most of her travelling was done with Cletus, her sister-in-law and best friend. The stories she and Cletus could tell were always full of laughter. They regularly attended the annual Hunt for Big Foot and many festivals. They went on many Route 66 excursions. If they weren't travelling, they were garage sale hopping. Barbara's love for sporting events grew from watching her grandkids from the 1st year of T-ball for as long as they would play. Many trips were made throughout and out of state following Cassie. Barbara, Kay Tipton and Krystal travelled many miles before cell phones were invented. In all their miles of travel the worst thing that happened to them was being "lost as a goose" (so the man that gave them directions said) in Louisiana.
Watching games was Barbara's joy. After moving into the nursing home, the family tried to extend her joy as long as possible by acquiring a bus to deliver Barbara in her motorized chair to as many games as time and her health would allow. She appreciated the visits with fellow fans. Barbara moved to Stroud Nursing Home two years ago. Once again, she was in her element. She competed in Bingo and Cornhole. One of her favorite activities was the guest singer and she rarely missed his visits.
The activities were always a joy for her. She dressed up at Halloween, was visited by Spiderman, Batman, Santa and more, wore tattoos when the bikers visited for a bike show. She even had bragging rights about having ridden one of them. She had her favorite staff and many of them called her their favorite. She will be missed greatly among them, as they will be missed by Barbara's family.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim; siblings, JoAnn Crary, Jerry Crary, John Crary, Sandra Patterson; and great-granddaughter, Jordan Threlkeld.
Survivors include her children, Krystal and Tony Ruth of Davenport, Tammy and friend, Raymond of Davenport, Terry and Wanda Dingman of the family farm; nine grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. Grandchildren include Cassie Tipton, Josh Tipton, Rachel Tipton & Raymond Britton, Ryan Robinson, all of Davenport, Brandi and Justin Fine, Milfay; Jeremy and Chana Fuller of Chandler, Christy and Rick Threlkeld, Becky and David Quinn of Stroud; Terra and Paul Ruffner of the family farm; great-grandchildren are Brock and Tabitha Doneghue, Jerrit Tipton, Conner Tipton, Audrey Tipton and Tyler Tipton, Andrea Britton, Shawn Britton and Colby Britton, Kaylee and Connor Britton, Joshua, Jenna and Adeline Fine, Brayden, Gavin, Ashlyn & Jaxon Threlkeld, CJ, Raine and Sadie Mae Quinn, Cathryn and Alivia Ruffner; great-great grandchildren, Ben and Silas Newman.
A funeral will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at the First Baptist Church in Davenport. Arrangements are under the direction of Lehman Funeral Home of Wellston.
This site may be freely linked, but not duplicated in any way without consent.
All rights reserved! Commercial use of material within this site is prohibited!
© 2000-2026 Oklahoma CemeteriesThe information on this site is provided free for the purpose of researching your genealogy. This material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, for your own research, as long as this message remains on all copied material. The information contained in this site may not be copied to any other site without written "snail-mail" permission. If you wish to have a copy of a donor's material, you must have their permission. All information found on these pages is under copyright of Oklahoma Cemeteries. This is to protect any and all information donated. The original submitter or source of the information will retain their copyright. Unless otherwise stated, any donated material is given to Oklahoma Cemeteries to make it available online. This material will always be available at no cost, it will always remain free to the researcher.