Ruth Marie Bilski Barr, 79, of Bodcaw, Arkansas passed away Monday, March 30, 2020 in Texarkana, Texas.
Ruth was born January 27, 1941 in Chappell Hill, Texas to Max Joseph Bilski and Tillie Mae Bienek Bilski. She graduated from Sam Houston High School. As a teenager, she started working part-time for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company as a long-distance operator. After graduation, she began working full-time and she was the youngest female supervisor working for Southwestern Bell at that time. Ruth was married to Arvin Wible “Bill” Barr on August 17, 1962 in Harris City, Texas. She continued to work for Southwestern Bell until the birth of her first child, when she elected to stay home to be a full-time homemaker and mother to four beloved children. Ruth was a member of Hinton United Methodist Church in Patmos, AR.
Survivors include two daughters, Sherrie Barr Clark and husband Dennis of Bodcaw, AR and Kathleen Barr Powell and husband Bryan of Texarkana, AR; one son, Mark Barr and wife Jessica of Magnolia, AR; grandchildren, Coltin Woodard and wife Courtney of Texarkana, TX, Joshua Clark of Nashville, TN, Daniel Clark of Bodcaw, AR, Sarah Powell Cross and husband Tristan of Fayetteville, AR, Katelyn Powell and Jared Powell of Texarkana, AR, Heidi Barr and Heath Barr of Magnolia, AR. Ruth is also survived by sisters, Dorothy Bilski Meeler of Montgomery, TX and Delta Bilski Hoot of Woodville, TX, Tillie Bilski Childress of Richards, TX; half-sisters, Vicki Hackstedt of Richmond, TX and Helen Sosa of Houston, TX and half-brother, Henry Dedek of Fulshear, TX. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, April Renae Barr, husband Arvin Wible “Bill” Barr and sister, Shirley Bilski Stauber of Humble, TX.
Ruth will be laid to rest at a graveside service 3:00p.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2020 surrounded by her immediate family at Union Cemetery. The service will be under the direction of Herndon-Fuqua Funeral Home Hope. Memorials may be given to Samaritan’s Purse or St Jude Children’s Hospital.