January 28, 1937 — April 19, 2026
A Celebration of Life Service for Barbara Erwin will be held on Thursday April 23, 2026, at 11:00 am, at Emmanuel Enid, with Pastor Shonn Keels officiating. A private family burial will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery; service arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at the funeral home.
Barbara Abbie Kutz Erwin was born in Enid, Oklahoma on January 28, 1937 to Mervyn and Mabel (Saeger) Kutz. She had two older brothers, Dick and Ivan, and her younger brother, Allen Kutz. Barbara's childhood was one of faith, family, and fun. From an early age, she was taught about Jesus and learned to put her faith in Him. As a little girl, Barbara loved roller skates, jacks, paper dolls, and riding her red bike. She had a very large extended family and spent lots of time with aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Barbara attended Enid Public Schools and graduated from Enid High School in 1955. She continued her education at Phillips University where she received both her Bachelor of Science and Master's Degree in Elementary Education. In 1972, Barbara received her Administrative Education Certification in Elementary Education from Oklahoma State University.
In 1958, Barbara began her teaching career at Taft Elementary as a 6th grade teacher. She transferred to Harrison Elementary where she taught 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. She absolutely LOVED being a teacher! In 1972, she was appointed principal at McKinley Elementary, where she served for 15 years. Then, in 1987, she moved to Hayes Elementary. She retired in May, 1995. Her exemplary career totaled 37½ years. Her life as an educator was more than she could have imagined! She gave thanks to God for allowing her to fulfil her life's dream of becoming a teacher. It was indeed the greatest earthly blessing and privilege to serve with the outstanding staffs at McKinley and Hayes schools, and being a part of the lives of so many children and their families. God was so GOOD!
Barbara met Jerry Erwin, in the 6th grade. Several years later, they reconnected at Enid High School, where they dated for 2 years. She married the love of her life on the hottest Sunday in July, July 18, 1954 at Calvary Baptist Church. They celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary this past July. They made their home in Enid and were blessed with two children, Sherrie Lynne and Jeffrey Hugh.
Her memories, as well as ours, always centered around family. Lots of birthday parties, special holidays, camp experiences, golf, ballgames, fishing, music lessons, recitals, school plays and programs, choir trips, picnics at Roman Nose, special family trip to OKC for dinner and "Sound of Music", Friday night EHS football games, family reunions, vacations to Disneyland, New Orleans, Broadmoor, and so much more. Then there were the BIG moments: graduations, college days at OBU, golf tournaments, Bison Glee Club concerts, more graduations, engagements, and weddings.
Her family continued to grow with the arrival of the Grandbabies! She got a new name, Meme! With each new arrival, she was there for the first visits, hugs, kisses, cuddles, and the excitement of when those tiny arms and legs would run and greet her at the door with "Meme's here!" She always showered the grands with lots of love and fun times! A favorite memory was her anticipation of when the families would arrive on Christmas Eve. Their quiet house erupted with loud laughter and conversations. Meme prepared Christmas Eve sacks instead of stockings. Each sack held some special gifts, but the favorite was the matching pajama pants! Meme, and Papa, were able to be a huge part of their lives! She was so happy that she was here for graduations, weddings, and then the births of ..... the GREAT-GRANDS!
The greats have all enjoyed the hugs, kisses, and love, too! Meme and Papa attended lots of ball games, birthday parties, Thanksgivings and Christmas's. The last few years, we've enjoyed a Summer Family Fun Day! We are a big, fun, noisy family and Meme and Papa have been included in every special moment, big or small! We've loved, laughed, played, worked, hurt, cried, prayed, served, forgiven, healed, and continued on! God has been and IS so good!
Barbara and Jerry had the great privilege of traveling to Hawaii, Israel, England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, as well as many parts of the USA.
During Barbara and Jerry's marriage, they were members of Calvary Baptist Church where she was the church organist for 29 years. She and Jerry taught the Young Married Sunday School class. For many years she directed the 6th grade Vacation Bible School class. Barbara and Jerry sponsored many youth groups to Falls Creek. She served on many committees while supporting Jerry as Minister of Music and Education.
After many years, the family moved to First Baptist Church. They continued serving as Sunday School teachers, choir members, and various committee members.
After their children were married, Barbara and Jerry moved their membership to Emmanuel Baptist Church where they taught and ministered to the precious saints in the Sojourners Sunday School class. While at Emmanuel, Barbara started an after-school tutoring program of volunteers to help the 4th grade students from Coolidge Elementary, was a part of the Apples of Gold ministry where she and others, mentored young wives and mothers, and ministered to the men from the pre-release center.
Following her retirement, Barbara gave back to her community, by serving on the Board of Directors of the following organizations: Y.W.C.A., Enid Garfield Library, Child Advocacy, and Hope Outreach as interim director for 7 months and the board for 6 years. She was a member of the following organizations: Gideon Auxiliary, Republican Women, Garfield County Retired Teachers, and P.E.O. Chapter G, where she served two terms as president.
Throughout her life, Barbara played golf, did ceramics, decoupage, and tole painting. She loved music! She played the piano and the church organ for many years. She loved listening to Sandi Patty. Another favorite was, "Crazy", by Patsy Cline. By far, her favorite pastime was reading! She loved to read! She did not have an extensive library, but her library card from both the public and church libraries was well used!
Barbara was a teacher throughout her entire life! She not only taught reading, writing, and arithmetic to her students, but she taught and
mentored teachers on how to be effective educators. She taught the Word of God to the young through Bible School, and the young marrieds to the saints through Sunday School. She taught and mentored young wives and mothers through the Apples of Gold ministry. She helped and guided Jim, Sherrie, and Abbie as we set up our classrooms/schools when we began our teaching careers. She felt God's call upon her life to be a teacher and she was privileged to fulfill that calling. She LOVED it! She was a Master Teacher and Educator.
If you knew Barbara Erwin, you know she usually wore a flower with her outfits. Today, the women and girls of her family are honoring her by wearing a flower from her collection of many! Barbara was the epitome of a lady, always "put together". She was a leader, hard-worker, wise, problem-solver, a doer, a fixer. Barbara was loyal, a friend, kind, generous, and compassionate. She was full of opinions. She was a great listener! Barbara loved her home! She loved black and white décor with a pop of color! Every season, was a new palette for her to decorate! Barbara was a hostess! Her home was filled with lots of friends and family throughout the years. But the thing she loved the most, besides her precious family, was Jesus! She loved spending time with Him in His Word. Her Bible is marked with sermon notes, thoughts, prayers prayed, and prayers answered. She was a prayer warrior! Barbara prayed over everything! She prayed over students, their parents, and her teachers. Most of all she prayed for her family. You can be certain, that your name is written and has been prayed for in her Bible
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Mervyn and Mabel Kutz, her brothers, Dick, Ivan, and Allen Kutz, along with many extended family members.
Barbara is survived by her husband of 71 years, Jerry Erwin of the home; daughter, Sherrie (Jim) Roberts of Sand Springs, OK; son, Jeffrey (Christie) Erwin of Little Rock, AR; 9 grandchildren, Barry (Vangie) Roberts of Sand Springs, OK; Abbie (Beau) Wilson of Sand Springs, OK; Halee (Bill) Cobbs of Bixby, OK; Chase (Holly) Erwin of Little Rock, AR; Caleb Erwin of Little
Rock, AR; Cara (Boyd) Schaefer of Little Rock, AR; Connor (Kayla) Erwin of Conway, AR; Serenity Erwin of Little Rock, AR; and Edward Erwin of Little Rock, AR. She is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Lucas Roberts, and Tucker Wilson, all of Sand Springs, OK; Carter Cobbs of Bixby, OK; Asher, Isabella, and Ezekiel Erwin; Tatum, Tenille, Teagen, and Gerald Boyd Schaefer IV, all of Little Rock, AR; and Zavier Erwin of Conway AR.
Barbara spent the last few years battling dementia. Her husband, Jerry, along with their children and families, have stood by her side and cared for her. Our family would like to extend Thank You's to the staff at Brookdale Assisted Living, Hospice Circle of Love, and the many friends for the love and care you have shown our wife, mother, and Meme throughout her life and in these final days.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that you make a donation to the following organizations: Gideon's International, Emmanuel Baptist church, Enid Education Foundation, or Hospice Circle of Love.
Condolences may be made to the family online at www.LadusauEvans.com. Ladusau-Evans has been serving the families of the Enid Community and surrounding areas for over 40 years with compassionate service and dedication. They provide families with an open door policy. Feel free to contact them 24 hours a day. Visitation Hours: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm daily, 2800 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-1400.
