Barbara was born on November 2, 1941, to William Chesley Wilson and Maud Ethel Brown in Leonard, Texas. She graduated from Whitewright High School in 1960 and went to work at The Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells, Texas while staying with one of her sisters.
She met Orace Ray Mathes and wed in 1963, going on to have one son, Ralph Benjamin “Jamie” Mathes II.
After working for Johnson and Johnson in Sheman for several years, she then spent her time enjoying her home and adoring her beloved dog Gizmo, then Suzy. She loved animals of all kinds and loved to dance, and shop, particularly at garage sales. Barbara was a very generous person and enjoyed providing for those that needed it. She was a family person and loved to see her sister Sue’s grandchildren, especially when she cooked a big meal on Sundays. When church was over, her husband Ray would always encourage a trip to Whitewright for Sue’s dinners.
Barbara was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Ray, her son Jamie, brothers, Larry Wilson, Max Ray Wilson, William Wilson, sisters, Lora (Wilson) Smith, and Mary (Wilson) Ashford. She is survived by grandson Cody Ray Mathes and his mother, Karla; sisters Sue McCollum and Catherine Jarian; nephews Mark McCollum and wife, Charissa, Michael McCollum and wife, Paula, Michael Wilson, David Wilson, Scott Wilson, Deana Wilson, Randy Wilson and wife, Carol, Tim Ashford and wife, Luz, Mark Jarian, and Jeff Jarian; nieces Glenna Nichols, Janet Smith, Karen White and husband, Gary, Linda Van Etten and husband, Ben, Jan Scanlon and husband, Jerry, Roseanne Moore and husband, Jerry, Lissa Ashford and several great nieces and nephews and their children. She is also survived by her incredibly good friend Helen Williams.
Sue gives many thanks to Mark and Charissa for the great care and love for her sister while she was so sick before she passed away. She knows Barbara loved them and appreciated everything that they did for her.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 26, 2025 at Oak Hill Cemetery, in Whitewright, TX, with Bro. Rodney Standford, officiating. Barbara will lie in state from 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 25, 2025 at Fisher Funeral Home.
Pallbearers are Mark McCollum, Michael McCollum, Michael Wilson, and Randy Wilson.
