Barbara Hopper Garrison

On June 19, 2026, our incredible mother, Barbara Hopper Garrison, 94, passed away peacefully at Journey Home in Bartlesville, OK. She was born at Memorial Hospital, Bartlesville on October 18, 1931, to Marie Foster Hopper and Alfred A. Hopper. She attended McKinley and Central schools and was a proud member of the Col-Hi class of 1949. She attended the University of Oklahoma where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She met her future husband, Denzil, at OU and they lived their entire married life (64 years) in Bartlesville. She was the heart of our family and throughout her long and beautiful life; she devoted herself to her family, always putting the needs of others before her own. Her gentle, welcoming spirit and generous heart touched everyone who knew her. She loved entertaining; she adored all of her lifelong friends, books, old movies, art, history, politics, and her family. She was an incredible cook and her grandchildren considered her the best milkshake maker in the world. She was an accomplished pianist and loved dance. She began ballet at age 3 under the instruction of June Runyon and continued ballet at the University of Oklahoma. She was a member of DAR, Tri Delta alumnae and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, where she was a member of the Altar Guild. She was a member of the Service League of Bartlesville and the Washington County GOP. She loved sewing and needlework and was a member of several sewing groups. She supported her husband throughout his years of service as County Attorney, State Representative and State Senator. She was a Y Teens Leader and Girl Scout Leader (she put the “V” in volunteer). She was an avid genealogist and worked tirelessly compiling family history. Her passion for Oklahoma and Bartlesville history was evidenced by her countless hours of work at the Bartlesville History Museum and the Oklahoma Historical Society. In 2013 she co-authored the wonderful book, If Bartlesville’s Walls Could Talk. She is survived by her 5 children, Charles and wife Laurie, Luther, Ok, Ellen Frihart and husband Bryant, Tulsa, OK, Kathryn Hadden and husband, Allen, Bartlesville, OK, Elizabeth Flowers and husband, Craig, Bartlesville, OK, Martha Collins and husband, Scott, Elgin Ok., her 18 grandchildren, Reid Garrison (Kim), Steamboat Springs, CO, Cole Garrison (Angie), Minot, ND, Doss Garrison (Channing), Harrah, OK, Rosie Frihart-Lusby (John), Los Angeles, CA, Ruth Frihart, Tulsa,OK, Charles H. Gray (Cassie), Alexandria, VA, Caroline Gray, Bartlesville,OK , Emily Zack (Bryan), Gardner, KS, Megan Hadden, Rockport, TX, Alison Lee (Todd), San Antonio, TX, Kathleen O’Bar (Tyler), Austin, TX, Annie Laycock (Andrew), Houston, TX, Julia Duewel (Clayton), Houston, TX, Scott Collins (Haleigh), Perry, OK, David Collins (Whitney) Augusta, GA, Mary Garza (Sam), Wiesbaden, Germany, Maggie Sharum (Josh) Tulsa, OK and William Collins (Bailey), Lake Charles, LA. She is also survived by 21 great- grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Denzil , her parents, Alfred and Marie, and her sister, Emily . A service will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 2 pm with FR Robert Gates officiating. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, OK The family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to her caregivers, Pam House, Marguerite Smith and Pam Lykins, who cared for our mother with such compassion, dignity and kindness. We would also like to thank Compassus Hospice for their wonderful support and care. We ask that all donations in our Mother’s precious memory go to Journey Home, 900 NE Washington Blvd., Bartlesville, OK 74006.

Barbara Hopper Garrison

October 18, 1931 - June 19, 2026