Barbara Ballew

Barbara Ballew

1936 – 2024

Barbara Nanelle Mills Ballew was born in Del Rio, TX to Eleanor Adelee McReynolds Mills & William Oliver Mills, Sr.  She was raised as a Ranchers daughter, but very disciplined to be a lady , in Pandale, TX, known as “The Ranch”, which always held a special place in her heart. During grade school she stayed with her Aunt Meme McReynolds in Del Rio to go to school.  She moved to Austin, TX, and lived with her older sister Belle & her husband John Borth for high school. Her love of caring & inspiring children began early when she became Aunt Bobby to  her nieces & nephew,  Shelli, Sherri & WO Mills, III. While living in Austin, TX, she met a dashing Air Force guy from Oklahoma, whom she married and spent every day together for 67 years. Together they moved to Pecos, TX and then to Tahlequah, OK, while Gaines was finishing college. During this time, they welcomed their first daughter Karen and son, Gaines, III. After her husband finished his degree in Education, they moved to Talihina, Deer Creek and Perry where they welcomed their youngest daughter, Connie. The family moved to  Mulhall, Orlando & Selman with Gaines’ career.  Barbara started pursuing her own passion in education, taking night classes until their youngest started school, then going full time in Alva, OK.  The family moved to Edmond, OK, where she finished her degree in Education and went on for her Masters at UCO. She taught for 24 years, mostly 4th grade in Jones, OK. After retiring, she and Gaines started the next chapter of being grandparents to 3 strong willed tenacious granddaughters Kate, Natalie and Kali. They would take them traveling to the farm in Cookson and all over having lots of fun. Barbara was an animal lover & absolutely loved all her grand dogs.  She enjoyed cheering for Thunder basketball & keeping Gaines, III on point with Thunder facts. She beat breast cancer twice and later it was rumored she was a hospice favorite!

She always kept a youthful, fun loving attitude, love of learning and enjoyed all the people around her. Her kids, granddaughters &  great grandsons, Aden and Zane kept her young. She fiercely loved them all & told them often, including all her nieces & nephews. Lord knows we all felt her love!

Formal Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 at Matthews Funeral Home.
A Graveside Service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 at Fort Gibson National Cemetery.