Sherry Lynn (Dotson) Barby

Sherry L. Barby, age 73, of May, Oklahoma, and formerly of Laverne, Oklahoma, died Tuesday, November 17, 2020, in Manter, Kansas.  She was born January 14, 1947, in Boise City, Oklahoma, the daughter of Carl Wray and Ollie Mae (Cook) Dotson.

Sherry graduated from Buffalo High School then continued her education at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in education.  Sherry taught school in Garver, Oklahoma, and Karvel, Colorado, before moving back to Buffalo, Oklahoma, and became the editor at the Harper County Journal for many years.  Sherry married Russell Barby, Jr. and found her passion of being a rancher, wife, mother, and grandmother.  She helped her husband on their ranch and had the opportunity to own many animals.  Among her favorites were her horse, Witch, and mule named Jackie.  She entered and won many competitions with Jackie; her favorites were the endurance races.  Sherry helped put on Play Days for the youth in Laverne for many years; and also taught her nieces and nephews the proper way to ride a horse. Sherry felt her best when she was outdoors and found any excuse to be there.  She loved gardening, was an accomplished cook, and also enjoyed reading, playing Scrabble, and traveling.  She was lucky enough to take her granddaughter, Shakia, to Hawaii.  Sherry was a former member of the Red Carpet Mule Team for many years, and had attended Knowles Nazarene Church.  Sherry will be remembered as a loving and giving person by her family and many friends.

Sherry is survived by her husband, Russell; daughter, Sara Barby and husband Andrew of Meade, Kansas; son, Ben Barby and wife Brandy of Laverne, Oklahoma; brother, Robert Dotson and wife Rose of Burlington, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Barbara Dotson of Guymon, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Shakia, Ollie, and Claire; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews; and a host of friends. 

Sherry is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Wray Dotson and Charles Dotson; and sisters, Barbara Dotson, Darla Smoyer, and Alice James Dotson.