Carol Gay Barry

Carol Gay Jemison Barry departed to her heavenly home on her 82nd birthday, Monday, January 31, 2022. She died peacefully at her home east of Perry, Oklahoma, surrounded by her loving family.

Carol was born January 31,1940, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, the daughter of J.F. Jemison and Verna Mae McDaniel Jemison. She grew up in Stillwater, attended Stillwater Public Schools and graduated from Stillwater High School in 1957. While attending Stillwater schools, she met a loving sisterhood of friends that have continued to meet regularly and set up zoom calls with Carol when she was unable to attend. She continued her education at Stillwater A&M (Oklahoma State University), earning her bachelor's degree in education in 1984. She began her teaching career at Sumner School and then taught at Perry Public Schools, influencing the lives of many children for 23 years.

She and Franklin E. Barry were married in a church ceremony February 1, 1958, in Stillwater. She was the loving mother of four children, four grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Carol and Frank have enjoyed 64 years of marriage, working together at Shedrick's Jewelry in Perry, raising their four children, and enjoying life on their beautiful farm together. She liked to sit outside on top of the hill, enjoying the breeze and drinking a glass of sweet iced tea.

When they became grandparents to Conrad and Collin, Carol would travel extensively to wherever they were living at the time, including Canada, Louisiana, Texas, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Boston. No distance was too great for Carol to travel to connect with her family. Carol was just as devoted to her younger grandchildren, Katelyn and Alex. Carol divided her time between Perry and Tulsa while they were growing up, making sure Frank, Katelyn, and Alex always knew they could count on her time, attention and meal or activity of choice. Not surprisingly, when her first great granddaughter Rosie was born, Carol traveled to Colorado last year to celebrate her first birthday.

Her many interests included gardening and insects, especially the garden spider, traveling, sewing, baking and being with her grandchildren.

She was a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church and was very active with her Sunday School class. She was also an active member of the Xi Epsilon Rho Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. Members loved to be around her. She was always teaching. One never knew what she might bring to club or coffee to share and enlighten her audience. Her many friends enjoyed her dry sense of humor. She was so funny, and those listening never knew if she knew how funny and enjoyable she was to be around.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Frankie Barry in 2002; and a brother, Don Jemison. Survivors include her husband Frank Barry, of the home; two daughters: Donna Bishop and her husband Jeffrey, and Nancy Evans; one son, Ryan Barry and his wife Sara, all of whom reside in Tulsa; grandchildren: Conrad Bishop and his wife Kaylee, Seattle, Washington, Collin Evans, Boston, Massachusetts, Katelyn Barry and Alex Barry, both of Tulsa; one great granddaughter, Rosie Bishop, Seattle Washington; a Sister-in-law Carole Jemison, Dewey and two nephews: Matt Jemison of Bixby and Doug Jemison of Lafayette, Louisiana.

Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.dightonmarler.com.