Paula Kaye Barber

Paula Kaye Barber, resident of Shawnee, passed away on Friday, December 19, 2025. She was 83 years old. Paula was born on August 17, 1942, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, to Nelson and Betty Greene. She married Charles “Chuck” Barber on June 17, 1961, at New Hope Baptist Church. Chuck’s work took the family to Arkansas, Tennessee, and finally to Denver, Colorado. When the pair retired in 1996, they embarked on one of their greatest adventures: they sold all of their belongings, bought a 42-foot catamaran sailboat, and sailed around the Caribbean and Central America with Chuck’s sister, Beverly, aka “Sissy,” and his brother-in-law, Charlie.

After their great adventure, Paula and her family settled in Shawnee, Oklahoma and opened Benedict Street Marketplace. They were known for their excellent customer service and great food.

One of Paula’s greatest legacies will be the facility she and Chuck gifted to Project Gabriel. Helping pregnant women in crisis was near and dear to Paula’s heart and her gift will continue to help women in the Shawnee community indefinitely.

Paula and Chuck had a closeness in their marriage that was felt by everyone, especially their family. Her grandchildren gained an understanding of what marriage should be through her devotion to Chuck and to God.

Paula was preceded in death by her parents, Nelson and Betty Greene, her husband, Chuck Barber, and her son, Greg Barber.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Rebecca Stapleton and husband Tad, her son, Michael “Mike” Barber and wife Devra, grandchildren, Jessika Mullendore, Jakob Neal, Haleigh Rasch, Emily Rios, Jonathan Stapleton, Henry Stapleton, Jack Stapleton, Jane Stapleton, Kalyn Davis, Mikala Barber, Jennifer Magness, William Barber, and Courtney Schwiebert, sister-in-law, Beverly “Sissy” Whittle, and many great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 29, 2025 at 10:00 am at St. Benedict Catholic Church. Following the ceremony, Paula will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Mark Kincheloe, Jake Neal, Tad Stapleton, Eric Cook, Luke Rash, and Rex Anderson. 

Memorial donations may be made in her honor to Project Gabriel. Please make checks payable to St. Benedict Church (with 'Project Gabriel' in the memo), 632 N. Kickapoo Ave., Shawnee, OK 74801.

Arrangements are under the direction of Walker Funeral & Cremation Service.