Barbara Jane Sewell

Barbra Jane Berry Sewell March 30, 1925-September 4, 2020 Barbara Jane Berry Sewell was born into a loving home on March 30, 1925 in Sapulpa, OK, to the late Merle Echo Knipe Berry and Guy Leonard Berry, Sr. She died on September 4, 2020. She is survived by her son, F.A. Sewell, III (Lucie) of Clinton and Sally Sewell Wightman (Robert) of Dallas. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Julie Wightman Taylor (Patrick), Mallory Wightman Fullerton (Glen), Frank A. Sewell, IV (Amy) and Berry Leaf Sewell (Adrienne). Great grandchildren Caroline Katherine Rogers, John Parker Rogers, Luke Austin Sewell, Andrew Berry Sewell, Sydney Lorraine Sewell, Frank Asa Sewell, V, Annakate Eliza Ross, Olivia Emmaline Ross, and Abby Nicole Wright-Taylor. Barbara is predeceased by her husband, Frank Asa “Luke” Sewell, Jr (1998), her brother, Guy Leonard Berry, Jr, and his wife Barbara Bass Berry, sister-in-law Patience Sewell Latting and Cousin James Doyle Berry. Although she grew up in the depression, Barbara had an idyllic childhood enjoying the camaraderie of her brother Guy, and their cousin, Jim Berry. They ran free around Sapulpa and were often to be found on the backs of their ponies. She passed her love of horses on to her daughter and granddaughter. Barbara grew up in the First Presbyterian Church of Sapulpa where her mother was the organist. She attended Sapulpa public schools and The Hockaday School in Dallas. She attended her first year of college at the Monticello School in Illinois prior to transferring to the University of Oklahoma. At OU, she joined Pi Beth Phi where she served as rush captain and chapter president. She was Chair of the War Council, served as co-chair of the Red Cross Drive and was editor of “O.U. at War.” Barbara met her best friend, and future pledge sister Barbara Bass, while going through rush at OU. It did not take long for Barbara Berry’s brother Guy to take notice of this new other Barbara and Barbara Bass was welcomed into the Berry family. After the war, her cousin, Jim Berry, introduced Barbara to a young man home from the war who was pursuing a career in banking. As Barbara’s father, brother and cousin were bankers, this sounded pretty good to her. Barbara married F.A. “Luke” Sewell, Jr on April 12, 1947 in Sapulpa, OK. They settled in Clinton, OK, and had a son, Frank Asa “F.A.” Sewell, III in 1948 and a daughter, Sally Jane Sewell (Wightman) in 1950. With the exception of a few years in Oklahoma City, Barbara and Luke spent their life together in Clinton. They were members of First United Methodist Church and active in the community. Barbara was president of the Junior Service League, a member of Chapter EV of PEO, and active in church volunteerism. She also served on the Board of Directors for First Bank and Trust of Clinton for many years. Barbara loved her family and friends, her church, reading, playing bridge, entertaining, and giving back. She, above all, loved her Sooners and watching them play football. Barbara and Luke routinely invited friends to spend holidays with their family at the family home in Clinton. They made sure that their friends had a place to go and the company of “family.” Arrangements for a virtual service and celebration of Barbara’s life are pending. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please consider making a donation in the memory of Barbara Berry Sewell to the Clinton Public School Foundation (1270 Opal Ave. Clinton, OK 73601) or the Pi Beta Phi Foundation (1154 Town & Country Commons Drive, Town & Country, MO 63017). If making a gift, please designate that the gift is in Memory of Barbara Berry Sewell.