Nicknamed: Barbrie, Babs, Gramma Bear, Barbara was born March 3, 1923 in Morris, Oklahoma. Married to William “Big Bill” Archie Bayres in 1942 then widowed in 1969. Remarried to Robert Arnold Bayless in 1970 then widowed in 2005. She passed peacefully at home in Mansfield, Texas, with her cherished puppies – Ernie, Jamie and Bodie, as well as her loving family.
Barbara’s parents had 11 siblings and she had 5. Predeceased include her birth father James William Bullington and birth mother, Barbara Julia Rutz-Bullington, who passed in Okmulgee shortly after giving birth, 03-24-1923. As Barbara told it, her mother tossed baby Babs to her brother, Jacob Hilbert Rutz and wife Ellen Spear-Rutz, Barbara’s aunt and uncle in California, who acted as her adopted parents, whom she remembered most. Predeceased also includes her granddaughter, Amber Arizmendie, who passed in 2019.
Survived by her daughters Sandra Bayres-Myers – widow to the late and beloved J.L. Myers, Ina Fay Bayres – former wife to Regino “Reggie” Christopher Arizmendi and Karen Lee Bayres-Kirby – former wife to Donald “Don” Glenmore Pearson, and widow to David James Kirby. Grandsons Andrew Glen Myers and Christopher Arizmendie. Granddaughters Robin Lee Pearson and Ginna Rene’ Pearson-Doyle – wife to Brian Doyle and mother to great-grandchildren Ryker Scott and Teagan Ryleigh Doyle. Granddaughter Amber Arizmendie (deceased) – mother to great-grandson Vinny Marquez and great-granddaughter Brioni Marquez, as well as Angelica Lopez – mother to great-great-grandchildren Gianny Noelle Smith and Kamari Rhea Smith. Barbara is also survived by a plethora of nieces and nephews and extended family including Barbara Bullington-Rogers and Devona Saunders-Ensor – 2 especially beloved nieces. In recent years, Barbara was introduced to Kimberly Cecil, fiancé to Andrew Myers. Barbara referred to Kimberly as her “4th daughter,” Gigglebox and Lil’ Bit, as she became part of our family, helping as a caretaker and future granddaughter for her.
Barbara attended Morris High School, then graduated from McAlester High School. She attended 2 years of college at Angelo State University. Working several jobs through her life, she was an “old times” switchboard telephone operator, worked for General Telephone Directories Co. and as a government secretary. She was heavily active throughout her life in service to the Baptist Church, playing piano for the Sunday school class at First Baptist Church and singing in the choir at College Hills Baptist in San Angelo, TX. She was one of the best singers in the choir as she shared her love of music with her church family. Most importantly, she raised her 3 daughters as a loving mother through many hard times, as well as good, bringing them up with a relationship with Jesus in their hearts from a very young age. An excellent seamstress, she taught Fay and Karen how to sew. Their Easter dresses, Christmas gifts and other clothes were custom made down to their favorite colors. Passing along the tradition of cutting out clothes and pushing an antique Singer sewing machine, as Big Bill’s mother, Mae Delle, had taught her so they could earn a living. Sandy did not catch the sewing bug, as she spent her youth working in the garden and the workshop as Big Bill’s little assistant. Big Bill, a very popular cook in the army during World War II, taught Barbara to cook. She kept the family fed when times were tough cooking enchiladas, savory pot roast and potato soup with cornbread. Also, using the leftover crust from her pies to make cinnamon sugar strips! Her cooking fell short only once when she attempted to cook frog legs which literally jumped out of the pan and a time when she substituted salt for sugar in Big Bill’s hot chocolate (he forgave her).
Most of all she loved to sing and play piano. She even sang on the radio in the 1940’s and won 1st place in the Oklahoma “hog calling” contest. It was said, “She never swam with the dolphins, but she called in the hogs.” Christmas would not be Christmas without Grandma singing hymns and playing along to sheet music on her antique, upright piano. “Silent Night” and “Amazing Grace” were a couple of her favorites, and ours. The greatest trait she passed on to her daughters and grandchildren, was her child-like sense of the world and her wonderful streak of humor. She was sharp as a tack when you least expected it. Her mischievous giggle was shared with those who were closest to her. Now in heaven, she is again at peace, with the wonder and innocence of that little girl she kept inside throughout her life. Amen.
Family will receive Friends for a come and go visitation for Barbara on Thursday, October 6, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home, 5725 COLLEYVILLE BLVD, COLLEYVILLE, TX 76034.
Following the visitation will be a graveside service from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park, 5725 COLLEYVILLE BLVD, COLLEYVILLE, TX 76034.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bluebonnethills.com for the Bayless family.
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