Jerry Barby
Jerry Lynn Sterling Barby was born on March 5, 1948, to Gerald and Faye Sterling in Pratt, Kansas. Jerry Lynn left this world to be in the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on September 18, 2020, at the age of 72 years 195 days. After being born, Jerry lived in Pratt for several years and then the family moved to Sapulpa, Oklahoma. At the age of 11, the family moved to Turpin, Oklahoma where Jerry Lynn attended Turpin Schools and graduated in 1966. Jerry was involved in many activities while attending school in Turpin. She played the French horn in band, sang in vocal, she was a cheerleader, and also the Drum Majorette. Jerry was on the Student council, Oklahoma High School Honor Society, Girls Glee Club, Girls Quartet, and Trio. Jerry was the Editor of the Student Paper, and she was recognized as the Most Musical, Most Friendly, and Wittiest. She also played in a powder puff girls football game as a senior, and she didn’t know whether she was on defense or offense unless the coach told her to either run with the ball or chase the one who had the ball.
Jerry went with a neighbor family to the little Bethel Church of God west of Forgan, and at the age of 14 accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Jerry and her friend Bonita were baptized in a little creek south of Turpin on Easter Sunday in 1961. She was baptized again in the River Jordan, by Read, when they traveled to Israel. Jerry had a tenacious spirit and a drive to excel in scholastics and life. She was a good student, with good grades, excellent work ethic, and determination.
On May 17, 1966, Jerry met Read at his High School graduation reception, where he saw her and thought, “That’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life.” He’d just had a hug and kiss from a friend when he decided to take his opportunity. Read walked up to Jerry Lynn and said “You’re next” before he planted a big old kiss right on her lips. He says she fell madly in love at that very moment, but she contends it took a few more dates.
On March 5, 1967, Jerry’s birthday, she accepted a diamond ring from Read, and they married December 14, 1968. They made their first home in a small apartment in Guymon, Oklahoma, while Read was attending college in Goodwell. They rented a few months before Jerry introduced the idea they could buy a mobile home of their own, for only a little more money than they were paying rent. Read and Jerry purchased a mobile home and moved to Goodwell. While they were in Goodwell, a daughter, Dana Kai Barby, was born on December 3, 1970. Read graduated in May 1971, and on August 5, 1972, a daughter, Stacey Brooke Barby was born.
In 1973, the family moved from Goodwell to Beaver where Jerry and her family worked on the ranch with her husband’s family. While on the ranch, Jerry worked as a legal secretary for Leonard, Trippett, Leonard, and Kee in Beaver. In 1984, the family moved back to Goodwell, where their son, Seth Read Barby, was born on August 10th. Jerry later returned to work as a Legal Secretary at Ogden, Ogden, and Board, Attorneys at Law. Jerry Lynn and her husband also Pastored a small church in the Kenton, Oklahoma town for three years in the mid1980s. After that, they began Pastoring New Life Christian Center, in Guymon, for 7 years. Jerry and her husband were active in music ministry in various churches, but also Cowboy Ministries in several states. Jerry worked with her husband in several occupations. She was the best helper her husband ever had, and together they operated a Lawn Care business, and she did every aspect of it beside her husband.
Jerry had a call to minister to women who were in jail and she and several “grannies” began going to the local jail, and teaching the word, loving and caring for women who had made bad decisions, and through that ministry, numerous young women were able to change their lives and were born again while in jail. Jerry is known to many young women as momma bear, mom, the mother they never had and she is loved by so many people because she has a caring heart to see people set free. Jerry Lynn was eager to speak into peoples’ lives to bring them closer to God, help them overcome, and then teach them to go out into the world. She will be missed by many. Jerry Lynn retired from the legal field in 2016 but continued working in various ministries, mainly the Sister 2 Sister prison ministry. She also became a fulltime grandmother to her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When she fell sick and it was time for her to go, Jesus took her hand and said, “You’re next”. Jerry is survived by her husband of more than 52 years, two daughters, Dana Kai Stevens, Stacey Brooke Floyd, one son, Seth Barby, grandchildren, Tyrel, Austin, Randi, MacKenzie, Dylan, Jesse, Ezra, Urijah, and Eli. Great-grandchildren, Kayleigh, Eva, Ezekiel, Joshua, Liam, and Bridgette.
Celebration of life services for Jerry will be held 10:00 A.M Saturday September 26th,2020 at New Life Christian Center on Main Street in Guymon Oklahoma. It has been requested that masks are worn by all attending the service.
The family requests friends that are sending floral gifts to send artificial and potted plants in lieu of fresh cut flowers.
Memorial contributions may be made in Jerry Lynn’s memory to Sister 2 Sisters Prison Ministries care of Henson-Novak funeral Directors, P.O. Box 1306, Guymon, Oklahoma 73942.
Friends and family may sign the online guest book or leave a condolence at www. hensonnovak.com.