March 1, 1934 - February 1, 2026
Anita G Barrett, Ph.D., was born to Myrtle and Marion Goucher on March 1, 1934, in Davis,
Oklahoma. When she was two years old, the family moved to a farm west of Hennessey near her grandparents’ farm. She attended Lacy School where she graduated at age 17 as Valedictorian of her class. A month later, she entered Central State College (now University of Central Oklahoma) where she completed her Bachelor’s Degree at age 19.
She moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where she would spend the following 60 years. Because Fort Worth had no openings for a 20-year-old business teacher, Anita worked as an Executive Secretary for 10 years while pursuing her Master’s Degree at the University of North Texas. During this time, she taught typing and shorthand at Brantley-Draughon business college in downtown Fort Worth and served as adjunct faculty in the TCU Evening College.
On St. Patrick’s Day in 1962, she married Thomas E. Barrett, her soulmate, confidante, and best friend, and they were together for the next 62 years.
In 1964, she became a full-time teacher at North Side High School. She considered her three years at North Side as the happiest and most rewarding of her career. She loved the students; they loved her and still invited her to their class reunions some 50 years later.
In 1967, she became a charter member of the faculty at Tarrant County Junior College, South Campus, where she would remain for the next 44 years. She taught business subjects and English for three years, while working toward her doctoral degree. When she received her Ph.D. from the University of North Texas, she went into administration, serving a variety of roles, including Executive Director of The Career Development Center, Assistant Dean of Instruction, Associate Dean, and Division Dean of Health and Technology. She was known affectionately as the “Cat Dean” on the South Campus—for almost 37 years, Anita and her long-time secretary, Kathleen Skinner, trapped feral cats on the TCJC campus, paid for their neutering, and returned them to the campus where they were fed and sheltered through the years. Whatever the weather or holidays, she and her husband traveled from their home in western Ft. Worth to the campus to feed the stray cats. When she retired, she was names Professor Emeritus of English.
In addition to her academic endeavors, she was always busy. For 37 years, she served as Executive Secretary to the Metropolitan Dinner Club, a group of some 2500 civic and social leaders who met monthly for dinner and a lecture. From 1973 to 2014, she was a member of the adjunct faculty at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where she served as cluster coordinator, regional coordinator, and dissertation advisor to scores of students as they pursued their doctoral degrees. She retired from the college and from Nova Southeastern in 2011.
In 1988, she was inducted as the first female member of the Rotary Club of Western Fort Worth. She served as President of the Club in 1996-97. Following her retirement, she was named a lifetime Honorary Member of The Rotary Club.
Following her retirement from TCC, she and her husband moved to Enid, Oklahoma where they built a home in Golden Oaks Village where she lived until her death. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Marian, her brother Edward Louis who was killed in Viet Nam, her niece Connie Marlene and her husband Thomas. She is survived by nephews David S. Ladwig of Arizona and James T. Ladwig of Hennessey, Oklahoma; several great nieces and nephews, and cousins. She will be fondly remembered by her first secretary and long-time friend Betty Parker of Arlington, her long-time pen pal and former secretary Allene Sloan, and her secretary of 37 years, Kathleen Skinner of Indiana.
At her request, no services are planned. Her cremated remains will be buried alongside her parents in the Hennessey Cemetery. Cremation arrangements are with Anderson-Burris Funeral Home & Crematory.
Condolences can be made to the family online at Andersonburris.com. Honored to be recognized nationally, the past 6 years, for the Pursuit of Excellence award. Because family matters, let us take care of yours. We are proud to own the only crematory in Garfield county and ensure your loved one receives the care and respect they deserve while never leaving our care. Visit 3002 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-2700.
