Obituary of Barbara Jean (Crownover) Roberts

Barbara Jean (Crownover) Roberts, age 77, passed away on February 15, 2018, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Graveside services will be held at 2:00pm, Tuesday, February 20, 2018, in Rose Hill Cemetery Ardmore, Okla. with Jerry Monroe officiating.

Barbara was born on December 9, 1940 in Olney, Texas and is the only child of Arthur Lee Crownover and Ruby Jean (Bryson) Crownover. After moving to Ardmore, Oklahoma she attended Ardmore High School and with her outgoing personality easily made several new friends. Eventually, Barbara met Jack Dennis Roberts who became “her” customer at J’s Drive-In, formerly located on South Commerce Street in west Ardmore. Barbara liked to recall that Jack was the only person to ever get free coffee from her. But, being the honest person that she is, Barbara always paid for Jack’s coffee at the end of her shift. On June 1, 1957 Barbara and Jack were married at the home of Barbara’s mother in Ardmore. Their marriage continued through thick and thin and was blessed with three daughters until it was briefly interrupted when Jack passed away on March 26, 2013. Joyfully, Jack and Barbara were reunited on Thursday, February 15, 2018 at 2:40 PM when Barbara said her earthly goodbye to daughters Tammie and Pamela along with grandson Austin, who were at her side, and joined both Jack and their third daughter, Jacquelyn “Diane” Roberts who preceded them at the tender age of nearly three years.

Barbara recently said to her daughters, Tammie and Pamela, “you know, I’ve lived a good life.” She most surely was thinking about the years she had with Jack and all the things they enjoyed doing together as well as their individual activities. Barbara and Jack loved to go camping, fishing, bowling together. Jack was an avid golfer with an enviable handicap while Barbara enjoyed cooking and making their home the “go to” place for her daughters and their friends. They each enjoyed their Country & Western dancing phase, but Barbara particularly enjoyed their several trips to Las Vegas. She told us about some of these trips not long ago and mentioned that Jack always drove to Las Vegas, instead of flying, because he just felt better having his own car with him.

Family was everything to Barbara and Jack. They are survived by the daughters that they loved and cherished and they were heartbroken when their precious little Diane went to heaven to be an angel. The immediate family is, Tammie Jean (Roberts) Murdoch and husband Randy Murdoch of Oklahoma City; Pamela Denise (Roberts) Melendez and Jerry Monroe of Norman. Austin Marc Melendez and Jonathan Drummond of Oklahoma City; Dustin Anthony Melendez, Michelle Perez and Blake Anthony “Little Buddy” Melendez.

Both Jack and Barbara loved their grandsons, the two sons of Pamela Denise (Roberts) Melendez, Austin Marc Melendez and Dustin Anthony Melendez. Barbara was a stay at home mom for much of her life so she readily volunteered to be the babysitter for her first grandson Austin. Austin was the delight of her day and Jack loved having Austin in their home so much that he would often come home for lunch just to be with his family. Sometimes, Jack’s work would require him to take a day trip for a project so he would swing by his home to pick up Barbara and Austin just so they could all be together for the day. Dustin was born 11 years after Austin and didn’t get to have Barbara as his babysitter. Even with this age difference, Gran-Gran and Mam-moo called frequently and had the boys over to their home at every opportunity. Recently Barbara was paid a visit by her great-grandson Blake Anthony Melendez (Dustin’s son) whom she instantly loved greatly.

Barbara did not choose to pursue higher education, but anyone who met her could quickly understand how intelligent she was. She had a reservoir of knowledge and information that surprised most and far exceeded her educational level. Barbara had brilliant recall faculties on a wide array of subjects including politics, movies, entertainers, history and current events. When she did choose to enter the work force, Barbara quickly advanced at any position as employers valued her work ethic, honesty and ability to grasp the important facets of the job.

During the intervening years between Jack’s passing in 2013 until she could join him at this time, Barbara opened up her heart to a circle of friends that included a neighbor, Miss Diane, who became a very good friend to Barbara. Barbara, Diane and a circle of friends met every Friday night to play cards and have friendship and fellowship. The group bought season tickets to the Community Theater and had a luncheon at least once a week. Barbara and Diane even took a road trip to visit interesting or historical sites throughout several Southeastern States. The family wishes to express their thanks and love to Miss Diane for the friendship and care she gave to Barbara. You were truly a lifesaver and hero to Barbara on many occasions. We are grateful and thankful for you!

Additionally, Barbara, had a great love for her country and was very patriotic and so she volunteered to work for the Carter County Election Board on election days. She always beamed with pride when discussing this volunteer work and she so enjoyed getting to see the people exercising their right to vote.

Barbara’s blended family includes Terry Crownover, Sharon Von Trotha, and Elizabeth Robinson all of Odessa, Texas as well as Howard A. Bryson, Jr. (deceased) and Marian McGowen (deceased) of Ardmore, Oklahoma and Sharon Daniels (deceased) of Tishomingo, Oklahoma.

A visitation will be held from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm, Monday, February 19, 2018, at Griffin~Hillcrest.

Condolences may be left at www.griffinhillcrest.com.