W. Charlene Barclay (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Wretha Charlene Barclay passed away August 8, 2020, at her residence in a local care facility in
Lake Charles, Louisiana. She was 94 years old.
Charlene was born March 12, 1926, in Grovespring, Missouri, to Harley Herman Hightower and
Rushia Isabel Priester Hightower. She grew up there on the family farm and after graduating
from high school, worked in the war industry at Wright Patterson, Ohio, until the end of World
War II. Charlene became a registered nurse in 1949 after completing her training at St. John’s
Hospital School of Nursing in Springfield, Missouri. She and her husband Gibb Barclay were
married February 27, 1952, in Lebanon, Missouri.
Gibb’s job with Shell Pipeline moved them to ten different states ranging from Oklahoma and
California to Louisiana and Montana. They took their faith in the Lord with them and were
instrumental in the founding of churches in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. Charlene
served humbly at all the congregations they became part of over the years. Together they
raised four children of whom they were very proud.
After retiring in Lebanon, Charlene and Gibb enjoyed traveling, especially trips to visit their
grandchildren in Wyoming. Charlene became a prolific quilter, producing handmade quilts for
her children and grandchildren. She demonstrated her love for family and nursing by caring for
her parents and siblings when their health was failing. In her later years she moved to Lake
Charles, Louisiana, to be close to family.
Charlene was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Gibb; a son Gary Rue Barclay; a
son-in-law Doug Holwell; her sister Novella Hightower; and her brothers Noel, Russell, Vance
and Lane Hightower. Left to cherish her memory are her children Joan Holwell of Newcastle,
Wyoming; Larry Barclay and wife Dianne of Sheridan, Wyoming; David Barclay and wife Joyce of
Lake Charles, Louisiana; and 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren as well as many
nieces and nephews.
Burial will be next to her husband Gibb at Mount Rose Memorial Park, Veteran’s Park in Lebanon, Missouri. Arrangements are under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Lebanon, MO
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