MARLENE JOY BARNETT

Marlene Joy Barnett, Meeker, OK passed away Thursday, May 30, 2024 at her home in Meeker, OK..

She was born in Calumet, OK on May 8, 1935, the youngest of eight children, to David George and Mabel Lucia Leedy Holly.

Her Mother passed away when she was only 9 months old. She and her oldest sister, Mildred, were raised by her Mother’s sister Amy and husband Sam Auxier at Hydro, OK. Her Dad remarried and had two sons, Dennis and Ron Holly. She started 1st grade at Hydro where she graduated in 1953. She was very active in Girl Scouts, Rainbow Girls, Softball and Glee Club and was also a telephone operator. Following graduation she attended Draughon’s Business School in Oklahoma City. Her first job after graduation was at Firestone Tire Company.

Marlene married Homer O’Neil Barnett at Hydro, OK on June 2, 1956. This union was blessed with two children, Holly Ann and Kevin James. They lived in Oklahoma City the first fifteen years of their married life, then moved to Meeker, OK. in 1971. They purchased the Meeker Variety Store with their partners, Marjorie and Leon Son. Marlene was Town Clerk and Court Clerk for the Town of Meeker for 15 years, retiring April 1, 2005.

Marlene was a member of Morning Star Baptist Church for several years serving as Church Clerk for three pastors, Marlin Emmons, Ron Crews and Roy Wilburn. She served on several committees as well. She presently is a member of Mammoth Baptist Church in Meeker. She was a charter member of the Meeker Chamber of Commerce serving as President for years 1989 and 2003 and was chosen Citizen of the Year in 2009. She was selected as Friendliest Employee August 1990 and served on the Meeker United Fund for 11 years. She served on the committee to secure the HUD Senior Housing known as Greenridge Apartments. Marlene was instrumental in securing a building for the Meeker Historical Society and served as their Treasurer for several years. She possessed a wealth of knowledge of the town history and enjoyed sharing it with other members. She along with friends, Donna Welch, Gladys Sellers and JoAnn Craig started the annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner for 17 years. Marlene enjoyed life and was willing to help in any way she could to better her church and community. After they sold the Variety Store, they and the Sons did extensive traveling. After Homer passed away, Maxine traveled with Marlene and after Gladys Sellers passed away Foy was able to travel with them. Foy always had people laughing from the stunts he would pull. Most of them were unintentional, so he said. Never-the-less he enjoyed traveling with Village Tours.

Marlene was preceded in death by her husband Homer of 49 years, all of her siblings, Marvin, Martin, Maurice, Melvin, Mildred, Mary, Melba Gene, Dennis and Ron. Also, her cousin Maxine, that she was raised with and loved as a sister. She is survived by her daughter Holly Ann Skinner, son, Kevin James Barnett and wife Shelly, granddaughter Jenifer and her daughter Avery, grandson Kevin O’Neil, sister-in-law Marilyn Holly, Fresno, CA, and former daughter in-law Shelli Barnett.

. Services will be held Monday, June 3, 2024, at 1:00 at Mammoth Baptist Church, Meeker, OK with Pastor Mike Hall officiating. Burial will follow at Meeker New Hope Cemetery, Meeker, OK. The casket will be closed before the services begin and will not be opened after the services.