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- Tulsa World, Oklahoma, Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Barbara Bass Berry
Barbara Bass Berry was born in Enid, Oklahoma on July 29, 1925, to Henry "Heinie" Benjamin Bass and Roberta "Bertie" Lee Herring Bass. She passed from this life peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on October 15, 2017, at the age of 92.
She graduated from Enid High School in 1943 and attended the University of Oklahoma. It was there her Pi Beta Phi Sorority sister, Barbara Berry, from Sapulpa introduced her brother, Guy L. Berry, Jr., to Barbara Bass. Barbara and Guy married in June, 1946, and together they raised their family of four children in Sapulpa. Barbara called Enid her home, but Sapulpa was her life.
She was very proud of being a Homemaker, a Cub Scout Leader for all three sons, and her daughter's Camp Fire Girl Leader for ten years. She gladly hosted many parties and school trips for her children. She loved to cook and she and Guy enjoyed entertaining many friends and family. Guy often affectionately called her "The Hostess with the Mostess."
She was fiercely loyal to all her many friends and would do anything for them. She belonged to both The Alumnae of Pi Beta Phi Sorority and Chapter G of PEO for over seventy years. She served in many local and state capacities for both sisterhoods.
Barbara always stressed to her family that they are responsible for making their communities and state the best they can be. She spent her entire adult life "giving back" by using her multitude of connections to do just that. She was known for her "gentle persuasion." It was often heard one could never say, "No" to Barbara Berry because she would "encourage" you endlessly until you gave in.
Barbara was a member of The First Presbyterian Church, The Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce, The United Way, The Sapulpa Historical Society, Creek County Republicans, a Chairman of the Charity Ball to fund SHOW projects in Sapulpa, The Oklahoma Arts Institute, the Oklahoma Heritage Association, The Western History Museum at the University of Oklahoma, a founder of The University of Oklahoma President's Association, and a former President of the University of Oklahoma Alumnae Council. She kept close ties with her beloved Enid by serving on the Bobsfarm, Inc. Board of Directors.
She was recognized as The Citizen of the Year by the Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce, a recipient of the John Gulnic Award for Service to The Camp Fire Program, a member of The University of Oklahoma Hall of Fame, a Guy Brown Award Recipient for Service to the University of Oklahoma Alumni Association, and a recipient of the University of Oklahoma Panhellenic Outstanding Greek Award.
She helped organize the Sapulpa Arts Program and the Sapulpa Panhellenic. Governor Henry Bellmon appointed her the first woman to serve on the Oklahoma Highway Commission. She was a prime instigator behind combining U.S Highways 60, 62, 64, and 155 and State Highway 51 in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee into US 412 creating a vital link of the National Highway System. She was instrumental in starting the "Don't Lay That Trash on Oklahoma" Anti-Litter Campaign. She could often be seen picking up trash along our local highways and planting flowers in downtown Sapulpa. And although Barbara was the ultimate volunteer, her greatest achievement was being a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt. She was devoted to her family and was adored by all. Her happiest times were when her ever increasing family was home visiting and laughing with their "Mima."
Barbara was pre-deceased by her parents, her beloved brother, Robert Dean Bass, her husband, Guy L Berry, Jr., Guy's parents, Guy L. Berry, Sr. and Merle Knipe Berry, her brothers-in-law Bill P. Jennings, Oklahoma City, Luke Sewell, Clinton, and James D. Berry, Dallas, her sister-in law Mary Evelyn Berry, Dallas, her daughters-in law, Dianne Berry and Pam Berry, Sapulpa, and her grandson Colby Simmons, Sapulpa.She is survived by her four children: Bob Berry and wife Cathie, Enid, Guy Berry, III and wife Caroline, Sapulpa, Bill Berry, Sapulpa, and Melissa "Missy" Berry Simmons and husband David of Sapulpa; her cherished sister, Jeraldine Bass Jennings, Oklahoma City, and her dear sister-in-law, Barbara Berry Sewell, Clinton. She is also survived by Grandchildren: Matt and Mendi Berry, Lewisville, CO; Eli and Marcie Berry, Enid; Jose and Erin Reyes, Long Beach, CA; Elizabeth Berry and fiancé Michael Thompson, Tulsa; Henry Berry, Sapulpa; Jennifer and Jim Dilley, Sapulpa; Will and Stacey Berry, Sapulpa; Ben Minty, Oklahoma City; Kate Minty, Tulsa; Alexandria, Ethan, and Jessica Simmons, Sapulpa; and, Shawn Simmons, Oklahoma City, and Great Grandchildren: Natalie, Ava, and Libby Berry, Amaya Reyes, Declan McDermott, Liam Berry, Jad and Jarrett Dilley, Kaylee, Hannah, and Brooklyn Berry, Trent and Tatum Simmons, and a host of her grandchildren's friends who will always call her "Mima Berry!"
Additionally, she is survived by her fun-loving "Loose Lady" Friends and her devoted friend, Lon T. Jackson.
Barbara Bass Berry was an exemplary role model, gracious, classy, sassy, elegant, spiritual, driven, friendly, fun-loving, and exceptionally generous lady who was in class of her own. She was well loved and will be deeply missed by her family and friends. It was an honor to be a part of her life!
Because Barbara worked tirelessly making Sapulpa a better place to live her family requests that in lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to The Pride in Sapulpa Committee of the Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce. Contributions can be mailed to The Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce, 101 E. Dewey, Sapulpa, OK 74066.
A Celebration of her Life will be held at The First Presbyterian Church of Sapulpa on Friday, October 20 at 2:00 p.m.
Smith Funeral Home is handling her funeral arrangements.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1925 - 2017 (92 years)