Laura Barnes
Obituary
Laura was born October 17, 1959 in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, England, in the same house in which her mother was born. They came to the United States aboard the Queen Mary in 1964. Laura attended Holmes Elementary School and Wright Jr. High, and graduated from East Central High School. She received an Associates Degree from Claremore Jr. College, and her Bachelor of Science in Education from Langston University. She then attained her Master of Education from Northeastern State University. Laura was pursuing further education in Administration with the aim of becoming a middle-school principal. Laura had many passions in her life. She loved to teach science and instilled a love for the subject in her students. She taught in Tulsa Public Schools for over 20 years, most recently at Carver Middle School, where she also served as Science Department Head. In 2008 she was chosen as Carver Teacher of the Year. She was also named 2008-09 Geology Teacher of the Year by the Oklahoma Society of Geologists, which was followed by national recognition in the same field. Laura was a member of Boston Avenue Methodist Church and the Maranatha Sunday school class. Laura loved to sail and started out on a Sunfish at Girl Scout camp. As her sailing skills improved she progressed to an MC Scow, and she recently became the proud owner of a Catalina 25. She was an active member of Windycrest Sailing Club for 25 years. Her passion for teaching surfaced in this realm and she taught children the fine art of sailing. Ooley, her beloved Border Collie came to Laura in 1998 as she was recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumor. The puppy gave her a focus during a difficult recovery. She trained Ooley in Agility and they both achieved national recognition for their skill in the competitive ring. A second Border Collie, Allie, joined the family and added to Laura's dog training joy. She also rescued two cats, Shang and Dasher, whom she adored. Her human survivors include her mother, Sylvia Martin; father, Rowland Barnes; brother, Stephen Barnes; uncle, Bruce Hurst; and a multitude of aunts, uncles and cousins in England. Laura's legacy is the students who were privileged to be in her class during her many years of teaching. Her enthusiasm for her subject and love for her students were constants in her classroom. In keeping with her giving nature and desire to contribute to science and learning, Laura's final act was to donate her organs. Her selfless act will enable four recipients in Oklahoma and surrounding states to enjoy a healthy life. A memorial will be held 1:00 PM Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at Boston Avenue Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Laura Barnes's memory to Animal Aid of Tulsa, 3307 E. 15th St., Tulsa, OK 74112, or The Humane Society of Tulsa, 6808 S. Memorial, Ste. 350, Tulsa, OK 74113. You may make a donation by clicking below:
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Events
Tributes & Memories
Laura and I met on New Years Eve 1978 or 1979 and she needed a ride home from a small gathering on a pretty snowy New Years Eve. I was flattered such a fine girl trusted me to give her a ride. I fell in love with her just for that! We were her attracted to each other when we talked at the party. So I drove her about 10 miles to her house. She kissed me goodbye unexpectedly, then I was smitten. I was playing on the empty roads on the ice, all the way home. Woke up starting the New Year with a new friend! We started dating the next day. She went away to college not long after and we lost touch. We got reacquainted a rew Years later, and we still had a connection, but she was seeing someone and I was too. That was the last I saw her and regret not staying in touch with her. She was everything I read here today by all her friends and family, and I feel so sad she is not here. I am also happy to see her face, and to know she was so we loved and was such an inspiration to the people she touched and the children she taught. I have nothing but good memories of the time we shared and I am glad our paths crossed! All my love to her family and friends!
Chris foreman
Laura was such a unique individual and brought such life to every situation. She was a gifted teacher that my 3 girls, Katie, Kristen, and Kimberly were so blessed to have in middle school at Carver. Laura always had a smile on her face and such a positive attitude. She was an inspiration to us all and we will miss her special touch. May God give strength and comfort to her family and friends and be assured that her memory will be eternal.
Karol Andrew & family
I taught with Laura years ago at Marshall Elem.. I just heard of her death. I am so sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful person and will be missed.
marie willey
In memory of Laura, may God bless you and keep you always. Our years at Wright Jr High were wonderful. We walked home and got lots of candy, had slumber parties and were always up to something. What great memories. Now I see how many lives you have touched. Love you! Phyllis and Matt
Phyllis Blankenship-Calderwood
Jeff and Kathy McLandsborough
What fun we had as friends at Wright so long ago. Laura leaves a void in many lives, but not in our memory. God bless the family and sustain you at this time.
Laurie Eve Loftin
Laura, you were a great agility friend and a fantastic example for all our dog teams. You never let us forget what it was all about - passion for the sport, love for the dogs, and fun! I know that fun, passion, love were there in all your pursuits. You were such an inspiration for Bess and me, and I'll always remember when we MACHed on the same day as you and Ooley. Thank you for sharing your spirit, my friend, we will miss you.
Ed Minar
There are no words to express how sad I am to have lost a life-long friend. We shared the same birthday and lived across the street from each other. I enjoyed giving each other birthday cards on the same day-we'd always laugh! Even though she was older than me, she treated me like a close friend and included me in things like swimming in her mom's pool, or swinging me in the hammock in her mom's beautiful backyard. Truely a treasure she was, and I'm going to miss her. My birthday won't be the same this year. Goodbye Laura! I'll send you your card.
Marisa McLandsborough-Tyre
We were blessed to observe and share a glimpse of your passionate and positive influence on people and pets alike. You lived God's direction to "Bless the Beasts and the Children."
Ray & Martha Jones
Laura was such an example and inspiration to me. You knew exactly what she was passionate and opinionated about because she left no room for question. She was always there to greet me with a BIG smile, WARM hug, or a HUGE wave from a distance. She may never know what it meant to me each time she would acknowledge my military service with a sweet little card, something she just baked, or some little sign of patriotism. Pride and honor are two things I hold very dear to my heart, and I am SO proud and honored to have known such a beautiful flower in this world. I will never know another neighbor as sweet as Laura Barnes.
Staff Sergeant Matt Jacobsen
Laura's life was suffused with passion and joy for the things she loved. I knew her through her love of her animals, particularly Ooley. I will never forget how she sounded when she said that dog's name.
Felicia Raska