Barbara Lee (Flue) Bidwell

Barbara Lee Bidwell was born on August 26th 1940 in Sayre, OK to Lee and Gladys Fletcher Flue. She WALKED through St Peter’s Pearly Gates on December 28th 2024.

The fiery, determined young redhead grew up on a farm near Durham and Crawford in Roger Mills county with her three sisters. As the eldest, she *may* have been a bit bossy. In 1957 Barbara married Richard Hugh (AKA Pinky) Carter. The newlyweds made their first home in Reydon, OK where they finished high school. They eventually made their home in Perryton TX where they raised two sons. Later the family moved to Cheyenne OK to open and run the Green Light auto parts store. In the early 70s Barbara was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. This was a life altering prognosis, but our girl faced it head on. In 1979 Barbara married Harold Gene Bidwell. The couple settled into wedded bliss in Fort Smith AR where they attended Cavanaugh United Methodist Church, each served on the board in various capacities. While Harold worked as an executive at MPW, Barbara enjoyed the Bridge Club at Fianna Country club and made enduring friendships. As her MS progressed, she relied more and more on mobility scooters. She was a pro at the controls and made her way all about the town on her ‘Cart’ Loved and Admired by all that met her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Gladys; a Stepmother, Willa Carter Flue; A sister, Wanda; both husbands, Pinky and Harold and her son Richard Lee (AKA Rick) Carter.

She is survived by her son Randy (Kathy) Carter of Cheyenne OK; Stepdaughters, Alecia (Phil) Sallee of Tulsa OK, Diana (Jerry) Hon of Fort Worth TX, and Jana (Greg) Cherry of Conway AR; Sisters, Sandra (Dale) Anders of Fort Smith AR and Jayne (Wayne) White of Fredericksburg VA; Nieces Suzie (Jerry) Jones of Pocola OK and Tammy (Tracy) Knight of Fredericksburg VA; Nephew John Goin of Cheyenne OK; Great-nephews Jeremy (Alison) of Fayetteville AR and Jason Jones of Pocola OK: Grandchildren, Larissa, Joel, Allison, Christeena, Anna, Rod, Leslee and Taryn. Along with a host of Family, Church Family and Bridge Friends. During her last years when she relied so on Caregivers, Barbara became a favorite patient with her humor, strength, empathy, gratitude and faithfulness.

A life truly lived.

A celebration of life will be held in her honor at United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 4th at 2:00pm.

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