Barbara "Ba" Stivers

Barbara Kaye (Linn) Stivers, or more affectionately, “Ba” by her family and church family, was born on November 16th, 1949 in Oklahoma City, OK, the daughter of Jack D. and Faye Pauline (Jones) Linn. She attended school and graduated from Putnam City High School in 1968. Young and in love, shortly after completing school, she married the love of her life, Montie E. Stivers on July 8th, 1968. They shared a love story for the ages and were the best of friends. Together, they raised a son and daughter, Douglass and Tamra. While living in the Oklahoma City area, Barbara was the coordinator of her children’s little league and served as Girl Scout Director and Leader. Barbara and her family relocated to the Tahlequah area in June 1985, where Montie took the position of pastor at First Christian Church. She would later receive her BA and Masters in Education at Northeastern State University. Barbara spent her 21 year teaching career at Briggs School, teaching special education. She loved each and every student entrusted to her care and went the extra mile to help them in any way she could. As a pastor’s wife, she served as a Sunday School Teacher, Camp Director and Councilor. She worked tirelessly for the youth of the church, organizing Vacation Bible School, Church Camp in Monte Vista in Colorado and Camp Christian and Central Christian Camp. She served as Youth Group Leader, chairman of the board of the church and various committees, Elder of the Church, organized the Drive-Thru Nativity and Easter Pageant along with the Children’s Choir and Christmas Programs. She would devote a class to even one child that showed up for Youth Group. She loved time spent cooking with the grandchildren and working in her flower gardens, especially tending to her beautiful roses. She was compassionate, patient, fun loving and devoted to those she considered her own. She lived her faith through her actions and by her strength and determination. Her life wasn’t always without heartache, she lost her beloved husband in 1991 at the age of 40. Even so, she was even more determined to show everyone the depth of her caring to those she came in contact with. The Lord called this hard working and loving woman home from her many labors on February 25th, 2023 at Tulsa, OK, surrounded by those who knew and loved her. She was 73 years old and will be greatly missed by the many lives she has touched.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jack D. and Faye Pauline Linn and her beloved husband, Reverend Montie Edward Stivers.

Those left to cherish her memory include one son, Douglass Stivers and companion Janet Pickens of Tahlequah, OK and one daughter, Tamra Ullrich and husband Bud of Tahlequah, OK. Her legacy lives on through her four grandchildren, Sammantha Dawson and husband Michael of Tahlequah, OK, Maddison Huntley and husband Dallas of Tahlequah, OK, Gabbriel Stivers of Bixby, OK and Lacy Ullrich of Tahlequah, OK, one great grandson, Henry Dawson, close family friend, Donna Mosier as well her church family, friends, children, and loved ones too numerous to mention.

A celebration of life for Barbara “Ba” Stivers will be held on Friday, March 3rd, 2023 at 9:30 AM at the First Christian Church of Tahlequah with Pastor Darell Christopher officiating. Following services, she will be laid to rest at 4:00pm at Sunny Lane Cemetery in Del City, OK with her son-in-law, Bud Ullrich performing the committal.

Pallbearers for Barbara include Bud Ullrich, Paul Roudebush, Travis Roudebush, Michael Dawson, Dallas Huntley and Greg Crouch. Honorary pallbearers include The Women’s Breakfast Club of First Christian Church, Layma Roudebush, Sheron Rodgers and Patty Skinner.

Any opportunity for children to experience the love and joy of Christ was very dear to mom’s heart. So in lieu of Flowers, please consider donating to Vacation Bible School c/o First Christian Church, PO Box 258, Tahlequah, OK 74465.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.reedculver.com for the Stivers family.