Barbara Nelle Gary, 80, of Edmond, Okla., passed away on Feb. 2, 2021 in Oklahoma City. She was born on May 14, 1940 in Overton, Texas to the late Harold Claude Harcourt and Nella Marie Bohling Harcourt.
Barbara was raised in Durant, Okla. where she graduated high school in 1958. She later attended Southeastern Oklahoma University where she received a bachelor’s degree in 1961.
After dating all through high school and college, she married Joe Leland Gary on June 8, 1962 in Durant. They lived their entire life in Durant where she taught music for more than 15 years at the Durant Elementary School and she also played the piano for more than 40 years at the First Baptist Church in Durant. She was a very active member at the church, singing in the church choir, accompanist for the youth choir, painting back drops and was stage designer for children’s musicals.
Barbara volunteered for the American Cancer Society, United Way, and the Chamber of Commerce in Durant. She was a member of the Epsilon Sigma Alpha, Philanthropic Organization. Barbara served as a board member of the Red River Arts Council providing exposure to the Arts to the school children. She accompanist for the high school band and choral students in district and state competitions. 
She is survived by her husband, Joe Leland Gary of Edmond, Okla.; children: Steven Gary and wife Nancy of Burleson, Texas, Stacey Hiebert and husband Don of Norman, Okla.; Scott Gary and wife Chenee of Edmond, Okla.; grandchildren: Brad Gary, Tyler Gary, Blake Hiebert, Mackenzie Hiebert, Graham Gary, Macy Gary, Jeremy Burnett and wife Tori, Jessica Busby and husband Jarrod; great-grandchildren: Makallen Burnett, Miah Burnett, Boston Busby, Beckham Busby and Hayden Gary; brother: John Harcourt and wife Sue, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 6, 2021 at the Watts Memorial Chapel in Madill, Okla. Lance Ward will officiate the service.
Interment will be at the Woodberry-Forest Cemetery in Madill, Oklahoma. Service will be under the direction of Watts Funeral Home in Madill.
