November 15, 1938 — August 1, 2024
A Celebration of Life Service for Barbara Ellen Calivas will be 10:00 am Wednesday, August 7, 2024 in the Crosspoint Church with Rev. Asher Griffin officiating. Cremation and Service arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory.
Barbara was a beloved wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma is celebrating with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ this 1st day of August, 2024 in her new life she so looked forward to. Her earthly life began Nov. 15, 1938 being born to Charles George DeLisle and Irene Pearl (Moore) DeLisle.
She married Billy Joe Martin in 1956 and they were blessed with four children, Sheryl, Jo, Christopher and LaDonna. On April 20, 1973, she married Charlie Calivas and through that marriage she welcomed two more daughters into our family as her own, Sue and Lisa. Barbara and Charlie shared 51 years of marriage and memories together. They had graduated Enid High School in 1956 but did not associate until they started dating much later. She lived most of her life in Enid, Oklahoma where she attended Enid Schools and where she raised her children and worked various part-time jobs to be a stay-at-home mom. She loved reading, with her favorite book being the Bible. She loved serving in her church playing the organ or piano, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, helping with VBS and AWANAS and serving in the kitchen. Her passion was that every child be introduced to Christ Jesus and she found ways to serve to that end.
Charlie and Barbara owned a restaurant, "Charlie's," on 4th St. and Willow, where they made many friends and worked together many years while raising the family. After the children had grown, they traveled all over the U.S. in their homebuilt RV-6 airplane Charlie had built from scratch and they enjoyed many hours with military friends, and other flying enthusiasts from all over the U.S. She always welcomed their new VAFB friends over to their home for a much-appreciated home cooked meal and a warm heart.
Barbara's favorite line when we spoke of how bad things were, was "but my God is still in control!" When conversation turned too controversial or serious, she would pass on the phrase, "Oh let's just talk about peaches and cream," which was passed on to her through her mother. It is still being used by the family today. When people would speak of her, they always used "sweet lady" in their wording and she always had a smile for everyone. She loved to sing and there are many memories of her singing hymns or praise songs at home doing chores or in the car on family road trips. She made sure her children went to Sunday School, Church, and Wednesday night services and VBS where we learned to love, obey, and serve our Lord. Her legacy of faith is now seen through her grandchildren. Nothing was more important to her than her God, His Word, her husband, Charlie, her children, and grandchildren. Her wishes for her funeral were that the focus not be on her history, worldly endeavors, and accomplishments, but that the gospel of Christ Jesus be shared. A final act of obedience.
Staying behind to celebrate her life and legacy are her husband, Charlie,
children, Sheryl and husband Matt Meier, Chris & wife Sheena Martin, Sue, and husband Earl Marker, LaDonna and Mark Meier and Lisa Calivas, 15 grandchildren,20 great grandchildren, 3 great, great grandchild, and a brother Charles DeLisle. She is preceded in death by a daughter, Jo Ellen, a grandson, Troy and her parents, Charlie and Irene DeLisle and many others who dearly loved her.
She will be sorely missed by her family and many friends but through her legacy of faith, we have the hope through Jesus Christ that we will join her in eternity.
Condolences may be made to the family online at www.LadusauEvans.com. Ladusau-Evans has been serving the families of the Enid Community and surrounding areas for over 40 years with compassionate service and dedication. They provide families with an open door policy. Feel free to contact them 24 hours a day. Visitation Hours: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm daily, 2800 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-1400.
Obituaries are posted, in part, due to the generosity of The Commons.
A United Methodist Retirement Community
Tours: 301 S. Oakwood | (580) 237-6164
Enid's Only Faith-based, Not-For-Profit, Complete Continuous Care Community. Including Long Term Care, Skilled Nursing, Memory Care, Assisted Living, Independent Living Apartments and Townhomes.
