Barbara was born on November 30, 1934 in Lawton, Oklahoma to Stephen and Lora Mae (Burk) Kovacs. She grew up in Lawton where she attended school. She married Donald Eugene Ryans on February 4, 1950 in Lawton and they both worked at Bestway Van Lines until becoming the owner/operators of Ryans Moving and Storage and Ryans Trucking in 1973. Barbara loved spending time with her family and holidays gatherings were held at their home for many years. She enjoyed crocheting and playing cards and liked tending to her flowers. She attended Antioch Baptist Church for many years and was very active in the church providing meals and decorating. She will be missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by two sons and daughters in law, Donald E. Ryans, Jr. and Jill Ryans, and Steve and Barbara Ryans, all of Lawton; three daughters and sons in law, Donna Caldwell, of Geronimo, OK, Pam and Larry Sallee, of Central High, and Sheila and Chris Medcalf, of Temple, OK; her brother and sister in law, Dale and Helen Kovacs, of Madisonville, TX; 15 and plus one grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren. She is also survived by her aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Donald Eugene Ryans, Sr. who passed away on May 23, 2005; her baby daughter, Judy Ann Ryans; and her brother, Jerry Kovacs.
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