Barbara Fleming

(From Daniel Funeral Home)

Barbara Louise Fleming, age 76, of Lamar, Missouri passed away February 25, 2023.

Barbara was born February 15, 1947 in Liberal, Missouri to Cecil Wayne Cassatt and Lila Mae (Swartz) Cassatt. She married Mark C. Fleming on December 5, 1969 at McGuire Air Force Base in Wrightstown, New Jersey.

After graduating Liberal High School in 1965, Barbara attended Cosmetology School at Kansas State College in Pittsburg, Kansas. Upon graduation of Kansas State College, she worked two years as a hair specialist in Coffeyville, Kansas. 

From there, she decided to enlist in the United States Air Force. After completing basic training, Barbara was trained to become an Air Passenger Service Specialist, assigned to McGuire Air Force Base from December 1968-1969. 

In December 1969, she married Mark and they were assigned to Clark Air Base, Philippines. In August 1970, Barbara was required to separate from the Air Force due to the impending birth of their first child, Heather, due in October. 

After being reassigned to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware for two years and the birth of their second daughter, Tracy, the family was moved to Yuma, Arizona to stay with her parents while Mark was overseas in Iran and Saudi Arabia. 

After Mark's tour was complete, they were moved to Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma. They established their home in Tipton, Oklahoma and lived there after their 20 year retirement from the Air Force. Barbara was very involved with school, serving as home room mother, parent-teacher organization leader, along with coaching youth teams. 

Besides those activities, she worked in the base commissary, several grocery and department stores, U.S. Census Bureau, ASCOG, newspaper reporter, and owned and operated a trophy and plaque business. In 1996, upon moving to Lamar, Barbara worked in caring for the mentally and physically handicapped people for the next 16 years.

 

Survivors include her husband, Mark; two daughters, Heather Frances Fleming of Lamar, MO., and Tracy Lynn Candler of Greenfield, MO.; granddaughter, Morgan Paige Weimer and fiance, Brandon Hildebrand, and their young son, Hayden Michael Hildebrand, all of Lamar, MO., as well as many nieces and nephews.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; two brothers, Donald Wayne Cassatt and his wife Janet and Gary Wayne Cassatt and his wife Roberta.

A private family ceremony will be held.

Arrangements are under the direction of Daniel Funeral Home.

Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com