302 S. Walnut Street Sherman, TX 75090 | Map It | 903.893.1171

Obituaries

white flowers with small white candle glowing

Barbara Leonard Hayes

7/8/1937 - 4/6/2025

Text:

Obituary For Barbara Leonard Hayes

Barbara Leonard Hayes, 87, of Sherman, TX, passed away on April 6, 2025 in Carrollton, TX.

Arrangements will be held on April 17, 2025, at Dannel Funeral Home, 302 South Walnut Street, Sherman, TX 75090, beginning with Visitation from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m, followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. with Jeremy Mikeska of Frisco Bible Church officiating. Continued Visitation and light Reception immediately the service. Burial will follow in Barbara’s hometown of Durant, OK at roughly 2:30 p.m. at Highland Cemetery, 1620 Cemetery Rd, Durant, OK 74701. Arrangements by Dannel Funeral Home, Charles Dannel Funeral Director.

Barbara Leonard was born in Tom, Oklahoma on July 8, 1937, and was later adopted by Mr. & Mrs. John B. Leonard on August 11, 1949. She graduated from Durant High School in 1955 and the University of Oklahoma in 1958, where received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. She was a Flight Attendant for American Airlines, based in Chicago, and even appeared in the World Book Encyclopedia under the dated and undervalued title of “Airline Stewardess.” Soon after moving to Sherman to begin her career in Elementary Education with Sherman ISD, Barbara married Stanley Joe Hayes, son of Stanley Junior Hayes and Mauldine Graham Hayes, on June 11, 1960 in Durant, OK.

Barbara wore many hats throughout her career, including Flight Attendant, Teacher, Realtor, and owner of a 700-acre farm in Missouri. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church (now Covenant Presbyterian), P.E.O., Sherman Community Players, and a Life Member of both Tanglewood Country Club and Woodlawn Country Club, even becoming a Gin Rummy Champion at Woodlawn. She also was the PTA President at Wakefield Elementary, a Cub Scout leader and Den Mother, member of many civic and philanthropic organizations. Barbara had a passion for rescuing animals and she trained her children to respect all animals, nature, to love travel and adventure and most importantly, to always trust God.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Stanley Joe Hayes, son John Stephen Hayes, and parents Lena Noll Leonard and John B Leonard.

Barbara is survived by daughter Susan Hayes Fletcher (Brian) of Frisco, TX, son Joel Graham Hayes (Jackie) of Chandler, TX; grandchildren Joel Adam Hayes, Alex Hayes, Morgan Hayes, Alexis Hayes, and Patrick Fletcher; and great-granddaughter Bella Hayes.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to neighbors Raymo Sullivan, Nick Cooke, Amy Harrell, and Joi Biddle, along with Dr. Mohamed Rahman, and Vitas hospice.

Honorary pallbearers will be Brian Fletcher, Patrick Fletcher, Alex Hayes, and long-time friend of the family Rusty Schultz.

Memorials may be given to Denison Animal Welfare Group (DAWG), P.O. Box 1330, Denison, TX 75021; (903) 361-4211; donate https://givebutter.com/DAWG.

To leave online condolence for the family, please visit https://dannelfuneralhome.com/obituaries/

Services

17 Apr

Visitation

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Dannel Funeral Home 302 S. Walnut Sherman, TX 75090 Get Directions »
17 Apr

Celebration of Life

11:00 AM

Dannel Funeral Home 302 S. Walnut Sherman, TX 75090 Get Directions »
17 Apr

Reception

12:00 PM - 01:00 PM

Dannel Funeral Home 302 S. Walnut Sherman, TX 75090 Get Directions »
17 Apr

Interment

02:30 PM

Highland Cemetery 1620 Cemetery Rd Durant, OKlahoma 74701 Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

Photos & Video

Add New Photos & Video

Tributes

  • 5 TREES

    Claudia L Webster planted 5 trees in memory of Barbara Leonard Hayes . - 04/12/2025

Condolences

  • 04/14/2025

    janet Ariciu

    I am sorry we never got to met. Your cousin Janet Green Ariciu.

  • 04/13/2025

    Mary Lynne Jones

    You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I enjoyed having her as a neighbor. May Lynne Jones

  • 04/12/2025

    Scott Smith

    Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of Barbara Leonard Hayes. She was truly a remarkable woman, remembered for her warm personality, radiant smile, and kindness. My heart goes out to Susan, Brian, Patrick and all who knew and loved her during this difficult time. May your memories of her bring you comfort and strength.

  • 04/11/2025

    Alexander S Hayes

    Being her Grandson I had the privilege to spend quite a bit of time with her in my younger years. I have so many good memories from back then, its hard to narrow them all down but a few really do stand out. First would be the time she managed to turn me and my brother Joels faces bright red of embarrassment in Walmart. We would often spend extended periods of time with her, and she would always take us to get stuff we needed for our stay or just in general from Walmart. One of these times as we were walking through picking out some clothes, and we had got a little separated because she was lightning fast with a shopping cart in her hands. She was slow otherwise but you give her a shopping cart and she was off to the races! Anyways out of nowhere she yells "do you all need more underwear? I'm tired of seeing the poop stained ones in the wash". At least three or four people turned and audibly laughed at us. We yell "GRANDMOTHER!!" and could not get out of there fast enough. She would often do things like this, she was funny without even trying. other memories would include drinking orange juice and eating sugared up strawberries with her at the bar in front of the TV watching cartoons. Riding scooters around the school across the street where she lived while she walked with us. Getting yelled at and swatted with her shoe for climbing in the tree, hiding, and making a makeshift treehouse by the garage. Playing games on her old dial up computer in the office while cartoons played on the tv behind me. Granddaddy would always get on her nerves on purpose just because he knew we thought it was funny when she overheated, and would go off on a tirade for an hour over something silly. She was a bit of a hoarder so her house was filled to the roof with furniture and other stuff me and Joel would climb in and hide making clubhouses in all the clutter. only coming out for food or if there was an opportunity to scare her walking past or hiding spot. Shortly after my mom died I made a fake little cell phone out of paper and tape from the office to call her in heaven. Grandmother would fake like she could hear her and acted like my little paper phone really worked, which helped me through that tough time. She was truly kind, thoughtful and always putting others first no matter what. Looking back on my memories we gave her a pretty hard time being young boys, but she put up with us and loved us. The tough old bird kept with up all our crap and still manage to teach me loads about life, school and how to be strong in the face of hardship. Having been there all my life as a staple, losing her leaves a whole that nothing or no one can fill. But if anyone deserves a good rest it would be her I'm glad she's in heaven with granddaddy and everyone one else but she will be sorely missed.

Add a Candle or Spiritual Image

Click below to add to your message.