Elizabeth Barber

Elizabeth (Bettie) Ann Sheff Barber was born February 29, 1932 in Pendleton, Oregon, the first child of Donald Alexander Sheff and Ida Cora Ullman Sheff.  Bettie was joined in the family by brother Donald Allen, and sisters Patsy Marie (Vincent), Nancy Ruth (Rogers), and Josephine Kaye (Flitner). Bettie lived most of her life in and around Ukiah, with short times in Dale, Oregon, and Central Point, Oregon.  She graduated from Ukiah High School in 1950. Bettie married Wayne Richard Barber in June of 1950 at the Ukiah Presbyterian Church.  They became parents of Arla Marie Gammond (Pendleton), Donald Wayne Barber (Heppner), Clinton Earl Barber (Ukiah), and Pamela Elizabeth Steinke (Terrebonne). Bettie was employed by the United States Postal Service for 29 years, from 1962 to her retirement in 1992.            .  

Bettie was known as an organized homemaker and an amazing cook. Bettie read cookbooks as many people read novels!  She was an accomplished seamstress, sewing not only for her family, but also for friends and neighbors who needed her skills.  She took oil painting classes, and her home was decorated with her landscape paintings. Bettie was a cherished friend, and was known to write letters regularly to her childhood friends, and to send greetings to acquaintances often.  She knew and remembered everyone’s birthday, sending cards for anniversaries, graduations and other special occasions in their lives. Bettie moved to Pendleton in 2019, where she participated in a variety of activities and excursions.  She enjoyed sitting at the fireplace at the McKay Creek Estates entryway, and liked to greet all those who came and went through the days.  

Bettie passed away on September 6, 2024.  Bettie is preceded in death by her husband, Wayne, her parents, her brother Allen, and her sister Patsy.  She is survived by sisters Nancy Rogers (Irrigon) and Jodi (Mark) Flitner  (Lyman, Wyoming), her children, nine grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Memorial services are scheduled for Sunday, October 13, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. in the Ukiah School Gymnasium.  Burial will be a family event at the Ukiah Cemetery, in Ukiah, Oregon.