Barbara Helen Cheek

Barbara Helen Cheek, 86, died Wednesday, April 23, 2014. Celebration of life services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Cox Funeral Home with Charlie Cox officiating. Arrangements are by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Ms. Cheek was born Feb. 5, 1928, in Oklahoma City to Winnie and Betty Oliver. She was raised in Oklahoma, where she graduated from Butner High School in Wewoka, Okla., in 1945. She met and married Luther Cheek in 1946. Ms. Cheek worked for Tinker Air Force Base until 1953, when they moved to Amarillo. Here, she established and co-owned San Jacinto Frozen Foods, retiring in 1979. Ms. Cheek was a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi, reaching international golden girl status, and was an active member of Texas Nu Masters. She was extremely proud of her community service with the League of Women Voters where she served as president from 1997 to 1999, co-president from 1999 to 2001 and was vice president of voter services. She enthusiastically volunteered for public and candidate forums and always enjoyed a good debate. She was an avid bowler for over 40 years, often bowling in as many as three leagues a week. In her quiet time, she mastered the art of needlepoint tapestries, was a ferocious reader and an avid gardener and critter lover. She was especially proud of the flower beds she planted at her home. Most of all, she was a loving mother and a fantastic grandmother and supportive friend to many. She will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Mike Cheek in 2013; a sister, Mary Byerly; and a brother, John Oliver. Survivors include a daughter, Patsy Kisor and husband Dale of Amarillo; six grandchildren, C.R. Kisor of Tyler and Trent Kisor of Amarillo, Lucas, Jaclyn and Rebecca Cheek of Fairbanks, Alaska.and Ben Cheek of Bremerton, Wash.; and a niece, Yvonne Byerly of Houston.