Barbara Leyerle

Barbara Ann Bedingfield Leyerle went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. She was born on June 3, 1936 in Jennings, Oklahoma to Bill and Ella Bedingfield. She had a wonderful childhood in the small town. In high school she played basketball for four years and was a cheerleader.  She was elected homecoming queen two years in a row and earned distinction as co-valedictorian of her graduating class.

Barbara did not have to look far to find the love of her life – Kenneth Leyerle was her next-door neighbor. They were married in 1955, and their 68-year marriage was one of selfless devotion. Ken and Barbara lived in Oklahoma, Texas and then Louisiana, where their son Mark was born in 1965. They moved back to Oklahoma and then to Colorado before finally settling in Plano, Texas. Barbara was Mark’s biggest cheerleader, and she and Ken supported him in whatever activity he was participating, whether it was band, sports, or the church youth choir.

Barbara made a profession of faith as a child in the Baptist church, and when Ken joined her years later as a follower of Christ, they eagerly joined First Baptist Church of Plano where they sang in the choir, helped with Vacation Bible School, and Ken still serves as a deacon emeritus. Barbara also attended Bible Study Fellowship and was a leader for several years.

Barbara loved encouraging her grandchildren and was adept at texting them and snapchatting with them. When her grandson, Jon, and his wife Kara announced that they were expecting their first child, she exclaimed, “I never thought I would live to see a great-grandchild!"

Barbara was preceded in death by both her parents as well as a sister, Sherrye Bedingfield Grubb.  She is survived by her husband Kenneth; her brother David Bedingfield; her son Mark and his wife Shannon; grandchildren Elisabeth, Philip, and Jonathan and his wife Kara; great-granddaughter Eleanor Jane; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held in Barbara’s honor at 1:30pm on Friday, October 6th at the First Baptist Church of Plano, Texas with a reception to follow at the church.  A graveside service will be held on Sunday, October 8th at 1:00pm at the Jennings Cemetery in Jennings, Oklahoma.