Barbara Jean Brown

Barbara Jean (McBride) Brown was born on March 17, 1938, in Oakhurst, Oklahoma. Nicknamed “Bobbin,” she was the last of ten children born to William Edgar McBride and Lenora Faye (Newcomb) McBride. She passed away peacefully on April 14, 2024, ending a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

Barbara was raised in the Tulsa area and attended Daniel Webster High School. She married William Joe Brown on September 17, 1955, in Stigler, Oklahoma. The couple had four children, Mike, Debbie, Kim, and Christine. The young family enjoyed fishing and camping together. They lived in a variety of locations, but Barbara's best memories were in Golden, Colorado and “on the hill” off old Highway 62 outside of Gotebo.

Barbara and her children settled in Altus, Oklahoma where she worked for many years as a server and restaurant manager, notably at Felker’s Cafe on the square and Johnny’s Steakhouse, before opening Barbara’s Restaurant on Broadway in the 1980s. After closing her restaurant Barbara had an in-home daycare business through which she shared her love with numerous children and families. 

Barbara completed the administrative assistant program at Southwest Technology Center and was hired as the longtime administrative assistant and office manager for Liles Insurance (later Liles and Thompson). Greeting customers and helping them meet their needs gave her great satisfaction. She reluctantly retired due to health concerns in 2002.

Barbara lived in Parkridge Estates in Altus until 2021, where she helped organize bingo and potluck events. An adoring “Nana,” she spent her final years surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Spending time with them - and often sneaking them treats and small gifts without their mother’s permission - gave her the most joy.

Barbara loved cooking for friends and family, country music, beating everyone at cards, classic movies and western TV shows, romance and mystery novels, and the color blue. She had a green thumb, and her home and yard were filled with plants and flowers of every kind. Barbara gave her smile and affection freely - never missing an opportunity to tell friends and family how much she loved them or wrap them up in a hug. She has left behind an enormous hole in our hearts and lives.

Barbara is survived by her son, Mike Brown and wife, Kim of Black Canyon City, Arizona; daughters, Debbie Tobey and husband, Charlie of Clovis, New Mexico and Christine Thompson and husband, Ed of Fort Worth, Texas; sister, Lucy Smith of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Faye McBride; brothers, Jack and Walt; sisters, Lillian, Margaret, Frances, Virginia, Betsy, and Nancy; daughter, Kimberly Marick; and great-granddaughter, Rebecca Keeling.

A celebration of Barbara's life will be held at the Kincannon Memorial Chapel at 3020 North Main Street, Altus, Oklahoma, on Sunday, May 12, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.  The family is requesting that those in attendance please wear blue, Nana’s favorite color.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that tribute donations for Barbara be made to the Alzheimer’s Association online, at (800) 272-3900, or by mail at Alzheimer’s Association, 3550 S. Clark Street, Suite 203, Arlington, VA  22202.

Online tributes may be made at www.kincannonfuneralhome.com. The memorial livestream may be viewed at https://youtu.be/TEPyQx6283c.