Mary Elois Barber

Mary Elois Barber, of Elois to her family, was born January 14th, 1914 in Cherokee County, OK, the daughter of Mack and Pearl Jane (Neel) Houston. She grew up at home with her brother, Leonard. Her father was one of the original enrollee of the Dawes Commission, and her parents were founders of the General Baptist Church of Tahlequah. This is probably the basis for Mary working her entire life to make lives of people around her better. She chose the path of education as her profession, and she did her profession proud. She was a dedicated teacher of first, second and third graders, and loved every minute. The students were always eager to learn, and to show Mary life from their point of view. Mary had the kind face and sweet smile that made her students and friends feel like they were with a trusted and dependable friend. She was easy going and made friends quickly. She met and married her first husband, Chester Carter Emerson and they were blessed with one son and two daughters, Jerry, Judith and Sue Ann. Chester did in 1978, and Mary would later marry her second husband, Dean Barber, who also preceded her in death. Mary was always up for sharing a cup of coffee and a long chat and was ready to tell you about her wonderful grandchildren, Leah, Steve, and Rachel and their many activities. Any time she could be with her family was a wonderful day for her, so the holiday dinners and family gatherings were always something special. The Lord called this good and faithful servant, mother, grandmother and teacher home from her labors on January 14th, 2017 in Tulsa, OK with her loved ones by her side. She attained the age of 103.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Sequoyah Houston and his wife, Mary Wyrick, and grandparents, Alexander Neel and his wife, Minerva Haney, mother, father, husband Chester Emerson, husband Dean Barber, one daughter, Sue Ann Schafer, and her brother, Leonard Houston.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Jerry Emerson and wife Sondra of Tulsa, OK and Judith Gail Emerson also of Tulsa, OK. She lives on in her three adored grandchildren, Leah Schafer of Hawaii, Steve Schafer of Hawaii, and Rachel Smolen of Washington. She also leaves many cousin, friends, and students whose lives were changed for the better.