Barbara Lou Holt

Funeral Services for Barbara Holt, 80, formerly of Arapaho, OK will be held 1:00 PM, Wednesday, February 8, 2023, First Baptist Church, officiated by Robin Palesano, and Terry Brooks. Burial will conclude in the Arapaho Cemetery under the direction of the Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home.

Barbara Lou (Gambrell) Holt was born in Elmwood, TX, on June 21, 1942, to Grady and Pallie Marie Gambrell and passed away Sunday, February 5, 2023, in Oklahoma City, OK.

After graduating from Palestine High School in 1960, Barbara moved to Dallas, TX and began working as a keypunch operator in downtown Dallas for the Haggar Clothing Company. In 1968, Barbara met the love of her life, Steve Holt, and the two began dating. Three months later, on July 6, 1968, Barbara and Steve were married in Lexington Park, Maryland, where the couple relocated for Steve’s job. In 1978, Barbara and Steve moved back to Dallas, TX. In 1979, the couple took a leap of faith and purchased the Del Rancho restaurant in Clinton, OK. Later, the couple became owners of the Del Rancho restaurant in Del City, OK and part owners of the one in Abilene, TX. They successfully ran their restaurant in Clinton, OK for 28 years before selling their franchise in 2007 and retiring.

Barbara was an active part of the Clinton-Arapaho community. In 1986, Steve and Barbara moved from Clinton, OK to Arapaho, OK where they lived at their country home for 38 years. Barbara served as a Pink Lady at the Clinton Regional Hospital, was an officer in the Clinton Round-up Club and acted as a trainer for the Dale Carnegie public speaking training program. Faith in the Lord was a huge part of Barbara’s life. She was baptized at a young age at the Arber in Brushy Creek, TX. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Clinton for 42 years and loved helping with Vacation Bible School. Barbara also thoroughly enjoyed fellowship at monthly game nights with the JOY senior citizens group. Her favorite game was “Train” which was a domino board game. Since 2021, Barbara has enjoyed getting to know new friends at Southern Hills Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, OK where she and Steve moved to be closer to both of their daughters’ families.

Barbara was devoted to her family and loved being a wife, mother and “Gram” to her three grandchildren.

Barbara is proceeded in death by her parents, Grady and Pallie Marie (Rhodes) Gambrell; brothers, Milton and E.W. Southard; and sister, Bonnie Benton.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Steve Holt; daughters, Kim Haynes and husband Chris, Niki Goodin and husband Michael; three grandchildren, Sydney Haynes, Grace and Andrew Goodin.