Barbara Pybas

Born January 13, 1929; Died December 9, 2025

Barbara was born in the Oklahoma community of Cooperton and raised in a large close family, most of her cousins living within one mile square of her home. Upon high school graduation, she entered Oklahoma State University (then called Oklahoma A&M) and met her husband Jordan Ed (Jay) Pybas there. They married in 1949 and then moved to the Sivells Bend area of Cooke County, Texas, onto land reclaimed from the closed army Camp Howze and where the Pybas ancestors had originally settled in the latter 1800's. Jay and Barbara were pioneers in the post-war reclamation of the area, raising their family and establishing a farm and ranch operation introducing Simmental cattle. They were early leaders in the concept of artificial insemination in the cattle industry and collaborated with Texas A&M in the animal husbandry research program.

Barbara was involved in many facets of community service in Cooke County. She was a years-long member of the Sivells Bend United Methodist Church, and pianist until the age of 90. She was instrumental in documentation of the church's history (established 1869) and garnered the historical designation and marker from the Texas Historical Association. She was also appointed to the Cooke County Historical Commission and served for many years.

From the early 1950's, Barbara and Jay were immersed in Sivells Bend and greater Cooke County. They helped form the Farm and Ranch Club in Sivells Bend and the Beef Cattle Assoc. Of Cooke County, supported the A&M Extension service, and continually tried to improve the community they were part of.

Barbara was a 4-H and Extension Club Leader for Sivells Bend clubs for more than 20 years. She was recognized as Outstanding Adult 4-H Leader by the TAMU Extension Service for her dedication and efforts. Barbara and Jay both served on the School Board of Sivells Bend.

Barbara was active in the elective processes of Cooke County, assisting at the polls, interested in and supporting candidates. She was a life-long student, always reading, and taking a variety of classes at NCTC – including computer science, genealogy, creative writing. She was an avid writer who documented and published her own life stories, along with fictional short stories, gaining a wider audience when some were published by the Texas Folklore Society.

Barbara and Jay were both pilots and for a time had two small planes kept in hangers on the ranch, and used for business travel to Arkansas and Oklahoma, and family visits to the Gulf Coast. Stories about their air-borne experiences were included in her books.

Barbara is remembered by many for her wonderful homemade bread as she made loaves twice a week to give away to friends. She often carried a basket of loaves in her car to tuck into mailboxes on the way to town or as she encountered friends. Her loaves were the sought-after Bingo prize, and a favorite at school cakewalks. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren knew where the "Grammy bread" was kept and clamored for it upon arrival at the Pybas Ranch.

For more than 50 years, Barbara set the tone for Pybas hospitality. From dinners, receptions, drop-in visitors, late-night parties to the legendary July 4th picnics, her aplomb and graciousness raised the bar.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Jordan Ed (Jay) in 2011 and son Jordan Edward (Ed) Pybas in 1995. She is survived by daughters Margaret Lopez (Juan), Pat Priest (John), Lou Ann McFall, Jamai Freeman, and Grace Pybas; 11 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. Interment will be in Bearhead Cemetery in Sivells Bend, Texas.

Special thanks to Belinda Everson for her loving care. Memorials may be sent to VISTO and Sivells Bend United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be on Sunday, December 14, 2025 from 4:00pm-6:00pm at Meador Funeral Home, 1204 E. California Street, Gainesville, Texas. Funeral Service will also be held at Meador Funeral Home, Monday, December 15, 2025 at 11:00am. Interment to follow at Bear Head Cemetery, Gainesville, Texas.