On February 6, 2017 our Matriarch, Barbara
Sandusky Curtis Booher, was gloriously welcomed
into the arms of her Savior.
Barbara Lenora Sandusky was born March 14, 1923
in Little Rock AR. She was a two-time Girls City
Tennis Champion before graduating from Little
Rock Central High School. She was elected the
state's Rodeo Queen and thus represented
Arkansas at the dedication of the Will Rogers
Coliseum in Ft. Worth TX.
Upon marrying rodeo champion Eddie Curtis, she
moved to El Reno OK and then to Nowata OK. Two
years after the tragic death of her husband,
Barbara was blessed to marry Ernest "Ernie"
Booher of Dallas TX. The newlyweds soon built a
picturesque home on a ranch southeast of
Bartlesville OK where she and Ernie enjoyed
raising quarter horses, and where six
generations of family have convened to this day.
For 55 years she was the owner and CEO of
Barbara's Beauty Salon and Dress Shop in
Bartlesville, under a variety of iterations
throughout the years. Her professional
preeminence was recognized as a two-time winner
of the Oklahoma State Hair-styling Championship.
Barbara employed hundreds of hairdressers and
served thousands of loyal customers who were
drawn to the charisma and vitality of this
petite, savvy community leader and
businesswoman.
Always aware of her leadership example, Barbara
had an uncommon work ethic - never missing a day
of work due to sickness or injury until her
retirement in her mid-80s. Not even a broken
humerus could keep her away from serving her
mutually-devoted patrons.
Barbara loved her Lord Jesus, her family, her
customers, her horses, the Arkansas Razorbacks
and the Dallas Cowboys. She was generous,
judicious and inspirational. Her grace,
benevolence, leadership and extraordinary
cooking skills will be missed by many.
She is predeceased by her parents Theodore
Sandusky and Nora Pate Sandusky, brother
Theodore "Buddy" Sandusky Jr., sister Sue
Sandusky Dame, and first husband Eddie Curtis.
She is survived by her faithful husband of 49
years Ernie Booher of Bartlesville; four
children, Sandy Burchett of Lihue, HI, Lou
Burlison of Vian OK, Eileen Daugirda of
Arlington TX, and Mark Booher of Westborough MA;
seven grandchildren, Lance Burchett of Little
Rock AR, Jim Jon Burchett of Bartlesville OK,
Becky Partain of Vian OK, Beau Burlison of Vian
OK, Cherie Langas of Arlington TX, Brad Daugirda
of Fort Worth TX, and Jeremy Booher of Tucson
AZ; eight great-grandchildren, Maddie Burchett
of Tulsa OK, Chase Burchett of Casselberry FL,
Mason Burchett of Bartlesville OK, Halen
Burchett of Little Rock AR, Cruz Partain of Vian
OK, Malia Burchett of Little Rock AR, John
Landry Langas of Arlington TX, and Kate Daugirda
of Fort Worth TX; and two
great-great-grandchildren Isaiah Burchett of
Casselberry FL and Trinity Burchett of
Casselberry FL.
Come and go visitation will be held Wednesday
from 9:00 AM-8:00 PM in the Arnold Moore &
Neekamp Funeral Home, 710 S. Dewey Ave.,
Bartlesville. Family will be present to greet
friends from 4:00-6:00 PM.
A graveside service will be held at the Oglesby
Cemetery on Thursday morning at 10:00 AM.
Reverend Hanna Shearer will be the officiant.
In
lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to
the First Presbyterian Church of Bartlesville,
OK, 505 S.E. Dewey, Bartlesville, OK 74003.
Arrangements are under the direction of the
Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home. Online
condolences may be left at
www.honoringmemories.com.
