Obituary of Marjorie Ruth Whitebird

Marjorie Ruth (Barnard) Whitebird, 91, of Coffeyville passed away Thursday, May 28, 2020 at Hillcrest Hospital South in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was born on January 29, 1929 at the family home at 602 Sycamore St. in Coffeyville the sixth child of George W. and Mary E. (Caulkins) Barnard. Marjorie grew up and attended school in Coffeyville. On March 9, 1956 she married Joseph Anthony Whitebird at Bartlesville, Oklahoma. They made their home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for many years. For several years she owned and operated a home cleaning business in Milwaukee. She also worked at Danner's Cafeteria in Tulsa. In 1994 she returned to Coffeyville and made her home at Sycamore Landing. Marjorie loved going to Flea Markets, going out to eat and was disappointed when the Covid-19 social distancing began and she was no longer able to go. She was very talented and loved decorating her home for every holiday season throughout the year. She was an excellent cook and her cooking came from the heart. Survivors include four sisters, Leola Walker and Gloria Zimmerman both of Bakersfield, California, Dorothy Edwards of Webb City, Missouri, and Linda (Roger) Patteson of Moline, Kansas; one brother, James "Jim" (Susan Tuggle) Barnard of South Coffeyville, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren; niece, Cheryl (John) Gillman of Coffeyville; numerous nieces and nephews; and her longtime homecare worker, Judy Whitson whom Marjorie considered a daughter and affectionately referred to as "Little Brat" She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, one son, Joseph Anthony Whitebird, Jr.; two daughters, Theresa Smith and Pamela Whitebird; one brother, George Barnard; and one sister, Audrey Reeder. Graveside services will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 6, 2020 at Fairview Cemetery Veterans Memorial Patio in Coffeyville. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville.