Barbara Louise Gleaves

1928 - 2010

SHERMAN - Barbara Gleaves went to be with our Lord on Feb. 23, 2010. She left behind a legacy of love and a devoted family. Her beloved husband Eddie, her daughter Donna, and her grandson Steven were waiting to usher her home. She was also preceded in death by her parents and her brother Robert Charles Omstead.
Barbara Louise Omstead was born in Berkeley, Calif. to Charles Arthur and Marguerite Laverne (Owens) Omstead on May 16, 1928. She attended Berkeley High School where she was an active member of the women's synchronized swim team. She also was an excellent tap dancer much to the delight of her children.
She met Edward L. Gleaves, her dashing knight-in-a-sailor-uniform, at a U.S.O. dance in Berkeley, Calif. It was love at first sight when their eyes met and he shouted across the room, "Hey, Snicklefritz." Six months later, they married on Aug. 18, 1945. Later, they moved from Berkeley, Calif., lived briefly in Fort Wayne, Ind., and eventually settled in the North Texas area near Edward's family home of Van Alstyne. Barbara and Eddie were longtime residents of Howe, and members of the First Baptist Church of Howe.
Barbara is survived by her daughter, Karen Brabant and husband David of El Cajon, Calif.; sons, James Gleaves and wife Judy of Sherman, and Charles J. Gleaves of Pilot Point; grandchildren, Matt Felknor and wife Marcie, Amy Torabian and husband Kayvan, Kenneth Gleaves and wife Jenny, Chris Gleaves and wife Stacy, Charles E. Gleaves and wife Jacqueline, and Sarah Spence and husband Justin will miss her dearly; great-grandchildren, Payton, Max, Kaveh, Eric, Bradley, Allie, Cyrus, Curtis, Sierra, Catalina, and Syrina will all have a true angel watching over them throughout the days of their lives. Barbara will also be missed by half sister Nancy McBeen and husband Marc and their family in Brownsville, Calif.
Reception and viewing will be from 1 -2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26, 2010 at Flesher Funeral Home in Van Alstyne, followed by Graveside services at Van Alstyne Cemetery conducted by Rev. Roger Tidwell and under the direction of Flesher Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be submitted through www.flesherfh.com.