Barbara Spess

Barbara Ann Spess passed away from this life on November 19, 2023, at the age of 74 in Cleveland, Oklahoma. 

Barbara was born on July 21, 1949, in Indiana, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Kenneth and Ida Bernadine (Roose) Klingensmith.  Barbara grew up and attended school at Horace Mann Elementary, Duncan Junior High, and later graduated from Duncan High School with the Class of 1967.   During that time, she was a member of the National Honor Society.  Following high school, Barbara furthered her education at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.  She majored in accounting, graduating with a bachelor's degree in accounting.  While in college, she was very active in student government and served as president of the Brumley Women's Housing.  Following graduation, Barbara completed the qualifications to become a Certified Public Accountant.   On July 31, 1971, Barbara was united in marriage to Richard Duane Spess at the Oklahoma State University Chapel in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where they initially established their home.  Barbara began working at Evans and Throop Construction in the accounting department.  She later worked in Cushing as the Comptroller for Cherokee Truck Lines.  In 1982, Barbara opened her accounting firm, Barbara A. Spess Certified Public Accounting, which she currently operates.

Barbara was always thinking outside the box and produced the idea to serve Oklahoma Baptist Churches by becoming a licensed insurance broker to offer Worker's Compensation Insurance at a significantly reduced rate.  Without her tireless efforts and desire to help churches and their employees, on-the-job injuries could have devastated some churches.  Almost 35 years ago, Barbara had a vision to find a way to help ministers and churches.  She compiled a list of area churches, prepared a curriculum, and taught several vital topics.  Barbara was indeed a one-woman show, handling every aspect of that vision.  Henry Chennault attended her seminar and asked if she'd like to do them for Oklahoma Baptists.  For the next 30-plus years, Barbara traveled around Oklahoma doing just that.  She was also always available to answer any questions outside of the seminars.  Barbara was an invaluable resource.

Barbara has served on the Cleveland Area Hospital Trust Authority since April 1989.  Barbara has been committed to the hospital's success, in one fashion or another, for over three decades.  In the past ten years, Barbara has served as the Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees until early this year, when she requested that she be relieved.

Barbara was a special lady, always caring for every family member's needs.  She is described as thoughtful, generous, and the matriarch of the Klingensmith Family.  Barbara enjoyed and loved the times the family got together and planned the events for the holidays and family reunions.  Barbara and Rick also enjoyed traveling.  She took two cruises to Alaska, visiting Scotland and Europe with her sisters to visit her mother.  Going to Chesapeake Bay numerous times was a memorable time as well. 
Barbara was a strong supporter of the OSU Alumni Association following the athletic events for many years.  One of the many projects Barbara was instrumental in was the remodeling of the First Christian Church's Fellowship Hall.    However, the most important part of Barbara's life was accepting Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age, being a follower of Christ and a longtime member of the First Christian Church in Cleveland.    

Survivors are her husband, Rick, of the home; two brothers, Tom Klingensmith and Glenda of Atoka, Oklahoma; John Klingensmith of Duncan, Oklahoma; three sisters, Deborah Robeson and her husband Loyd of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, Linda Winant and her husband, Ralph of Highland Village, Texas, Peggy Binzel of Scottland, Maryland and a host of other relatives and friends.  Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Bernadine Klingensmith.

Services for Barbara Spess will be held on Friday, November 24, 2023, at 10:30 AM at First Christian Church - Cleveland, with David Logsdon officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Mannford, Oklahoma. Chapman-Black Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements. Friends and family may visit an online guest book and memorial page for Barbara at www.chapman-black.com.