Choate Prairie Obit

Pittsburg County, Oklahoma

Bishop Funeral Home
Submitted by: Carol Spear Rice

Barbara Alice (Riley) Thomas, age 85, of Indianola, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Tulsa. Family and friends are invited to gather and share memories during a visitation from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, July 7, 2025, at Bishop Funeral Service and Crematory. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Choate Prairie Cemetery, with Rev. Mike Ross and Rev. Mike Perry officiating. Burial will follow. Serving as pallbearers will be Steve Tripp, Rick Southard, Bubba White, Alan Bernhart, Glen Brown, and Dale Gill. Honorary pallbearers include Johny Gray, Ted Cox, Taylor Countz, Jim Young, Jack Stafford, Mike Stafford and Sam Walden. Barbara was born on December 4, 1939, in the Shady Grove Community to Clayton and Ruby (Free) Riley. A proud graduate of Indianola High School, Class of 1957, Barbara went on to marry the love of her life, James "Buddy" Thomas, on September 18, 1958, in Poteau. They shared 62 wonderful years together before his passing in 2020. Barbara lived a life rooted in service, faith, and family. She worked for many years as the secretary at the Water Department and dedicated over five decades to the Pittsburg County Election Board, where she was a trusted and familiar face. A devoted member of First Baptist Church in Indianola, she served as the Church Clerk and was a constant presence in the church community she dearly loved. Hardworking and humble, Barbara spent countless hours on the family farm and ranch. She found joy in her vegetable garden and was known for her home-canned goods-each jar a testament to her love and care. She was preceded in death by her husband, Buddy Thomas; her parents, Clayton and Ruby Riley; her brother, John Riley; and sisters, Betty White and Carol Allford and son-in-law, Harold Hearod. Barbara leaves behind a legacy of love through her children: son, Mark Thomas of Indianola, and daughter, Pam Hearod of McAlester. She was a proud grandmother to Kelsey Hearod, Dakota Thomas, Kaylee Thomas, Mckenzie Kasper, Lindsey Hammonds and husband J.W., and a cherished great-grandmother to Kyah Hearod, Kollyns Hammonds, and Sloan Hammonds. She is also survived by many extended family members and dear friends who will remember her kindness, strength, and unwavering faith. Barbara will be deeply missed but lovingly remembered by all who knew her.