BOMBER MEMORIAL

BARBARA KAY "BARB" SHARP LYSHER PORTER ~ Class of 1962
July 26, 1943 - January 1, 2024



Barbara Kay Porter, 80, of Noble, Oklahoma, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, January 1, 2024.

Barbara was born July 26, 1943 to George and Lola (Bock) Sharp in Hebron, Nebraska. Of their four children, Barbara was their only girl. Although she was born in a rural Nebraskan town, her parents raised Barbara and her brothers in a bustling Richland, Washington.

After graduating from Columbia High School in 1962, Barbara began to raise her own family, children Lisa and Robert, and spread her roots for several years, making many beloved memories with her Washington family.

Although Barbara's story began in Washington, her next chapter would produce not only a loving extended family in Oklahoma, but her other half, Charlie Porter. In 1976, Barbara met Charlie in Fairbanks, Alaska during construction of the Alaskan pipeline. Their beginning was a story fondly told time-and-time again, a man who had to settle down in his boots and a spirited woman who could offer a profound love. On March 19, 1977, in Reno, Nevada, she married the love of her life, her cowboy, Charlie Porter.

Charlie introduced Barbara to his life in Oklahoma and Barbara, although slightly shocked, adjusted and came to love their easy days of horseback riding, visits to the ranch and enjoying together the beautiful sunsets stretching across the plains of Oklahoma. It was a love and life she wished she could have enjoyed for more than just their 40 years together.

Barb had several different careers, but the one she most fondly talked of was her time at Red Rock Behavioral Health in Shawnee, Oklahoma, working alongside her best friend, Reta Barton. She was an intake coordinator who greatly enjoyed the challenges and rewards of social work. She had an inviting nature, wit and confidence that made her a valued and respected team member not easily forgotten.

After a few years, Barbara left Red Rock and spent her retirement years selflessly raising children and grandchildren. She was most fond of her role as a grandmother, in fact, she spoke often to others of her time spent with "the grands". Memories with her grandchildren included baking goodies, exploring the 40-acre farm, playing dress up with her grandson, throwing pop pops on Grandpa's head every Fourth of July, planting sunflowers, picking Grandpa's tomatoes, telling scary ghost stories and rocking each of her grandchildren in her cozy recliner most evenings.

Throughout her retirement years Barb enjoyed many hobbies. She was an avid reader, loving all genres, and no crossword could stump her sharp mind. She gardened with an expertise many of us envied, turned rubbish into treasure and had a keen eye for decorating. She enjoyed community service, joining the Pink Ladies of Hillcrest Hospital in Cushing, Oklahoma, serving others with a smile and friendly chitchat to follow.

She had an innate ability to make a stranger feel like a friend, and a house feel like a home. She was a talented woman who continued to give and give, helping raise the children of her grandchildren even in her later years.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: son, Robert Lysher (Sue); stepson, Rusty Porter (Leslie); and stepdaughter, Gina Cheves (George); her numerous grandchildren: Barbara Curren (Isaac), Ashley Jones (Kyle), Rachel Stafford (Tyler), Josie Porter, Brendon Nicholas, Nathaniel Leka, Tyler Porter and Curtis Lysher; great-grandchildren: Kane and Brookelynn Jones, Preston and Rylee Stafford, John and Elizabeth Curren, and Margaret Lysher. She is also survived by her brother, Roger Sharp (Ginnie); sister-in-law, Carolyn Sharp; sister-in-law, Rhonda Sharp; brother-in-law, Larry Porter (Brenda; and sister-in-law, Susie Porter; along with nieces, nephews and close friends.

Barbara is predeceased by her husband, Charlie Porter; her parents, George and Lola Sharp; daughter, Lisa Lysher Fuller ('79); brothers, Keith Sharp ('58) and George Sharp ('63); and brothers-in-law, Ben and Steve Porter.

A graveside service was held at Lawson Cemetery in Yale, Oklahoma on Thursday, January 4, 2024. Palmer Marler Funeral Home in Cushing, Oklahoma was in charge of arrangements.

Barbara would like to thank all the people she has met along her journey, for her life, as Carole King so beautifully sang, "Has been a tapestry of rich and royal hue".

We will miss you dearly.

Express your thoughts and memories in the Online Guest Book.

Note: Her first husband was Wayne Lysher ('57RIP).

Bomber Memorial put together by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).