Barbara Joyce Ewell went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 29, 2023, at the age of 86. She was born November 25, 1936 in Oklahoma City to her parents, Earl Ertie Tharp and Gladys Viola (Cutler) Tharp. Barbara grew up on a farm and walked to school in 6 inches of snow, both ways. She loved her parents and siblings so much. She shared incredible stories about her mother and father all the way up to passing. Barbara was inseparable from her sisters and onery brothers and cherished each moment with them. Barbara married her sweetheart, Clarence Howard in 1953. They shared 25 years of marriage before Clarence's passing. Together, they had two handsome boys, Gary, and Dale, exactly 2 years apart. Later, she married her second love, James Ray Ewell, sharing many wonderful years together before his passing in 2008. In addition to being a loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother, she was also the best sister and Aunt Bobbie. She also loved working as a special education teacher and church secretary where she made many friends and changed numerous lives. She was a longtime member of Capital Hill Baptist Church and later Wilmont Place Baptist Church. Barbara enjoyed spending time with her sisters, Ruth and Sis, and loving her children and grandchildren more than anything else in the world! She spent many hours snuggling, rocking to sleep and singing to her great grandchildren. She had a passion for gardening and hummingbirds. She was an excellent cook and homemaker. Barbara will be deeply missed. She made the world a better place. She will always be our Sunshine on a Cloudy Day!

She was preceded in death by her:

Parents, Earl and Gladys Tharp;

Husband, Clarence Howard;

Husband, James Ewell;

Brother, Eugene "Gene" Tharp;

Sister, Edna Long;

Baby sister, Mildred Tharp;

Step-son, Randy Ewell;

Barbara leaves behind her loving:

Son, Dale Howard, his 3 children, Jennifer, Cody, Samantha;

Son, Gary Howard, his 4 children, Amber, Bryan, Aaron, Amanda;

Step-daughter, Renee Poe, her 2 children, Weston and Jordan;

Step-daughter, Charissa Fletcher, her 2 children, Tyler and Kyle;

Step-granddaughters, Nina & Jolynn;

Brother, Jack Tharp;

Sister, Ruth Rinehart;

Many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews;

And so many friends and pets along the way.