Obituary for Barbara Spears

Barbara Spears

February 27, 1938 – March 15, 2020

Barbara Ann Spears of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Sunday, March 15, 2020, in the Blackwell Regional Hospital at the age of 82 years.

Barbara Ann Spears was born on February 27, 1938, in Okeene, Oklahoma, to Roscoe and Esther (Hall) Newman. She grew up attending Blackwell Public Schools. She married Leslie Spears on October 30, 1953, in Newkirk, Oklahoma. They lived in various states following their marriage, returning to Blackwell in 1975. Barbara worked at various jobs including housekeeping for motels, delivering the Oklahoman newspaper, and working as a machinist and in a bakery. She also worked as a checker at United Supermarket for over twenty years and most recently as the “boss” at Bob’s Grill. She enjoyed fishing in Texas, traveling on their motorcycle and frequenting the casinos. She also loved country music, especially Marty Robbins. Most of all she loved being and visiting with family and friends. He husband preceded her in death on April 28, 2014, and she continued to make Blackwell her home.

She is survived by a daughter, Pam Purdy and her husband John of Blackwell; two sons, Steven Spears of Blackwell and Gary Spears of Billings; her brother, Don Newman of Enid; ten grandchildren, Leslie Hankla (Chance), Willard Tattershall (Beverly), Jeanie Snow (Shane), Richard LaBlue (Rebekah), Paula LaBlue, Lonnie Purdy, J. L. Purdy (Ariella), Cinda Whaylen (Ryan), Timmy Spears and Cody Spears; and eighteen great grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Ricky and Lonnie Spears; a daughter, Deborah LaBlue; four brothers, Harold, James, Lloyd and Raymond Newman; and three sisters, Kathryn Rhors, Evelyn Morris and Carolyn McGrew.

A public service for Barbara will be scheduled at a later date. She was buried at a private family service in the Blackwell Cemetery.