Barbara Wiles

(From Burckhalter-Highsmith Funeral and Cremation Service)

Private family services are planned for Barbara Jean (Holcomb) Wiles who died November 22, 2024.

Barbara was born February 16, 1939, to Houston Temple Holcomb, Sr., and Viola Stanbro Holcomb at home in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. She resided in Sapulpa until the age of 13, moving with her family to Vinita when they purchased Holcomb's Café at 124 South Wilson Street.

She graduated from Vinita High School in 1957, attended Northeast Oklahoma A&M in Miami, and was employed by the Harold Morgan Law Firm, Vinita Daily Journal and retired as a department manager with Wal-Mart.

Barbara married Bobby G. Wiles, former mayor of Vinita, on September 29, 1967, in the Ketchum Baptist Church. Wiles predeceased her on February 4, 2012.

Organizations in which she had been active include: a deacon in the Pilgrim Presbyterian Church, Alpha Sigma chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International, Delphi Club, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Democratic Party. Barbara served on the Vinita Library Board, had been a Craig General Hospital volunteer, and, while raising her children, was involved with PTA, Little League, Cub Scouts, and taught Sunday school.

Her hobbies included painting, writing (especially submitting articles to the Vinita Daily Journal), playing cards, lunching and evenings with friends, the Vinita Senior Center, reading and the Vinita Library Book Club, the Bookmarkers. Among her favorite events were "Live at the Ream, Unplugged," but her special joy was time with her children and grandchildren.

Survivors include son, Keith Wiles his wife, Darby Wiles, and grandson Jake Wiles, all of Houston, Texas and son, Patrick B. Wiles, and grandchildren Brett Thompson, Keyerra Wiles and Ayden Wiles, all of Webb City, Missouri. She is also survived by her sister, Patricia Boggs of Pryor, Oklahoma and a niece, Debbie Fisler and nephew, Bobby Boggs. She was predeceased by her husband, parents and brother, Houston T. Holcomb, Jr., who died in 1959 and a nephew, Ronnie Boggs.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers persons wishing to remember Barbara may do so by contributing to the Vinita Library, First United Methodist Food Pantry, Vinnie Ream Cultural Center, Vinita Senior Center, or any Vinita related cause of their choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.highsmithfh.com or on the funeral home Facebook page. Arrangements are in the care of the Burckhalter-Highsmith Funeral and Cremation Services of Vinita. "Vinita's only locally owned and operated funeral home."