Barbara Sinclair

Barbara Lenore Sinclair (née Carr), 91, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully from natural causes on April 29, 2025. Born March 2, 1934, in Dallas, Texas to John and Stella Carr, Barbara lived a rich and independent life defined by her love of family, adventure, and her four-legged companions.

Barbara graduated from Adamson High School in Dallas in 1952, where she was known as a beautiful dancer who especially loved square dancing. She often judged the quality of her dates by their dancing abilities and was known to fall asleep if they weren’t engaging enough. After attending the University of North Texas, Baylor, and UT Austin, she began her career as a physical therapist.

In January 1958, Barbara married Richard Schiltz, who left while she was pregnant with their daughter. After giving birth to her beloved only daughter Judy, Barbara moved in with her parents, displaying the resilience and determination that would characterize her throughout her life.

In 1967, while attending a work conference, Barbara met Crawford Sinclair, and they married a year later. Crawford lovingly adopted Judy and gave her his last name, creating the family Barbara cherished. They lived primarily in Texas, with three years spent in Ardmore, Oklahoma, before returning to Austin where Crawford passed away in 1984.

Known affectionately as "Mimi," Barbara's true calling was caring for others. She found her purpose in service to those around her, both professionally as a dedicated physical therapist and personally as a devoted mother, grandmother, friend, and dog lover. Her gentle healing touch and compassionate spirit made her exceptional in her home health care practice, where she touched countless lives throughout her long career before retiring in 1999.

Barbara's nurturing nature extended beyond her professional life, as she took great joy in helping and supporting her loved ones. In 1996, she relocated to Kennesaw, Georgia to be near her daughter Judy and help raise her granddaughters, embodying her lifelong commitment to putting family first.

After retirement, Barbara sold her home and embraced her adventurous spirit, living in her RV for nearly 20 years as she explored Texas and New Mexico. She loved boating in her younger years and camping throughout her life, often with country music providing the soundtrack to her journeys.

Her love for dogs was legendary – she was known as "the dog lady" through and through. Her dogs were such an integral part of her life that her daughter Judy's boyfriend Ed had to gain approval from her grumpy dog before the relationship could proceed (fortunately, he passed the test, and they married).

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Crawford Sinclair, and her daughter, Judy Witkowski. She leaves behind a loving family who will miss her helpful nature and her famous deviled eggs: granddaughters Laura Jennings (Byron) and Shea Witkowski; son-in-law Edward Witkowski; and great-grandsons Mark, Joseph, and William Jennings.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ASPCA in Barbara's memory, honoring her lifelong love of dogs and spirit of compassion.