Barbara Jean Yates

Barbara Jean Yates, age 85, of Nowata Oklahoma, passed away peacefully at home on July 20, 2025, following complications after surgery. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Barbara's legacy is one of kindness, quiet strength, and a lifelong love of learning.
Born on August 20, 1939, in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, to Floyd and Eva Weaver, Barbara was raised in the heart of Osage County and attended the Pawhuska school system. Though life would take her on many journeys, she carried her roots proudly with her wherever she went.
Barbara first married Leon Forbes in 1958, and from that union came two children, Don Forbes and Connie Forbes. Though the marriage ended in divorce, Barbara remained a devoted mother and later found love again on a trip to California, where she met her soulmate, John Yates. The two shared a deep and enduring love, spending the next 54 and a half years together in partnership and joy.
A lifelong learner, Barbara returned to school to earn her LPN and pursued a career in caregiving that reflected her nurturing spirit and patience. She went on to own and operate "Granny's Wee Care," a daycare center that became a cherished part of the community, and later co-owned Cemetery Road Monuments, helping families memorialize their loved ones with dignity and compassion.
Barbara had a quiet wisdom and an unmatched love for books, often finding solace and joy in the pages of a good story. She had a gentle demeanor and a patient heart that touched everyone she met.
She is survived by her devoted husband, John Yates; her children, Don Forbes (Wendy) and Connie Forbes; her beloved grandchildren, Amanda, Rachel, Devon, and Jeremy, her brother; CL Weaver (Connie), and 6 great-grandchildren; aswell as numerous extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly.
Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Eva Weaver, her brother; Floyd Leon Weaver and two grandchildren, Daniel and Nikki, who now welcome her into eternal rest.