June H. Barber

June Hodge Barber was born Mary June Hodge to Ardella (Della) Decker Hodge and Herbert Hodge in Lawton, OK on the 15th of February 1925. Her elder brother Paul Hodge was 15 years old at her birth. Paul was very gifted and the family moved to Norman, OK where father and son attended OU Law School together! Herbert Hodge became a Cleveland County Judge. Mrs. Hodge owned and operated multiple boarding homes as these were the days before OU had student dormitories. June, never having gone by Mary, grew up and had an idyllic childhood. She often spoke of how "those boys" treated her so kindly. One of them escorted her to a school dance when she was about 14 and she told how she paid him a dollar for having done so when they got home and then ran to her room with embarrassment. She would say, "I was just a ridiculous little girl. I thought I was going to be a dancer and actress but it never occurred to me to leave Norman, OK to do it". This was typical of June, she always just believed that good things were going to happen, she steadfastly refused to acknowledge anything less. She attended Norman High School where she headed the Glee Club called the Busy Bees and she was also a cheerleader and a Rainbow, as her Father was a Mason and her Mother in the Eastern Star. All Norman residents got to attend OU at no cost then but Mrs. Hodge believed June had become spoiled and sent her to an all girl' college in Arkansas for her freshman year to give her experience. June often admitted this had been very smart of her mom. She returned to her beloved OU, having pledged Delta Delta Delta and earning a spot on the OU cheerleading squad. The OU cheerleaders were all from Norman High School which shared the same crimson and cream colors as OU and since it was during WWII and supplies were limited, the reused their high school uniforms, replacing the Norman logo with OU. She met Richard Montgomery Barber at OU. She has had OU season football tickets for over 50 years. He had attended OMA in Claremore, OK and joined the Army Reserve during the war, completing his studies at OU. They met in the OU Student Union and enjoyed over 50 years of marriage making their homes in Stafford, Kansas, Norman, Oklahoma City, Stillwater, Tulsa, Snow Mass, Colorado, with their final home in Tulsa. Dick Barber was a Bank Executive and they were long time members of Oaks Country Club. She and Dick shared a great love and appreciation for western art. Avid patrons of the Arts, Dick was a long time docent and June was an avid volunteer at Gilcrease Museum. They made many, many trips to New Mexico and Arizona to build their collection. June retired from her Deaf Education Teaching position at Patrick Henry Elementary School. June felt very strongly that deaf children needed to be able to read lips and she worked tirelessly on diction training techniques. She would hold a Kleenex below her nose so that when she spoke words, the tissue would move to convey to her students when words required exhale to be spoken more articulately. She remained in contact with many of her students, including Doug Bellatti who sent her an annual Christmas gift and upon hearing of her passing said, "Mrs. Barber made my life possible. She gave me everything I have today because she gave me the power of speech". Most people hope to leave a legacy and by her teaching, June left a very tangible and powerful legacy with many, many students having benefitted from her tireless dedication. June was a long time member of Boston Avenue Methodist church. When it became physically harder for her to drive to and attend church, she never missed a Sunday, watching it on TV. Ever the Teacher, she would write a note to Rev. Mouzon Biggs about what she did nor did not appreciate about the week's sermon. June is survived by her two children, daughter, Kelly Barber Flippo of Broken Arrow, son, Blair and wife Nancy Barber of Midwest City, Grandson, Max and wife Cassandra Flippo of Broken Arrow, and her two Great Grandchildren, Maxwell Jackson Flippo and Anthony Ramiro Gene Flippo, brother-in-law, Van and wife Pat Barber of Oklahoma City, sister-in-law, Shirley Jackson of McKinney Texas along with many nieces and nephews. Dick preceded her in death in 2005 and she went to rest with her eternal savior Jesus Christ on June 16th, 2016. Memorial Service will be 11:00 A.M., Monday, June 20, 2016 at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church-Rose Chapel. Moore' Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com

June H. Barber

February 15, 1925 - June 16, 2016