Barbara Gates McCracken died on December 11, 2024, at the age of 92 in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Barbara was born on November 7, 1932, in Kansas City, Kansas, to William Walter and Beuford Brooke Gates. She married Herbert Lee McCracken on September 12, 1953. Barbara and Herbert settled in Wichita Falls, Texas, where they raised their 5 girls. They were married 56 years together prior to his passing on November 22, 2009.

Her long life was marked by her strong sense of duty to her husband, her siblings, her daughters, her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren and above all, to her faith in God that was deeply rooted in Catholic tradition. She became for her family a true Matriarch, full of wisdom, love and an infectious joy for life. She will always be remembered by her beautiful and rich prayer life, her devotion to the Liturgy, her excellent sense of humor, a wit that left an impression on all who knew her, an unwavering love for her family, and a remarkable knack for finding ways to express creativity.

She is preceded in death by her husband Herbert, her daughters Cary Likins and Susie Gentry, her grandsons Scotty Crenshaw and Corey Meeks, and her great-grandson Alex Gentry.

She is survived by her daughters, Mary Kimbell and husband David, Ann Reed and husband Scott, and Cissy Leming and husband Paul; by her 3 siblings, Miriam Wilkes, Mary Riggs and William Gates; by her 13 grandchildren; and by her 25 great-grandchildren. She left a family who will forever miss and remember her presence on Earth, but who find great hope in God's merciful promise to grant her eternal rest in His heavenly home.

Rosary and Vigil will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Monday, December 16th at 5:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Tuesday, December 17th at 10:00 a.m. Burial to follow at Crestview Memorial Park. Memorials can be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or Catholic Charities Northwest Campus.