Juanita (Bush) Barnes

Funeral service for Juanita Barnes, 74 of Nicut community, Oklahoma will be at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at Agent Mallory Martin Chapel in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Burial will follow at Bush Cemetery in Marble City, Oklahoma under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.

She was born on May 7, 1948 in Sallisaw, Oklahoma to Evelyn (Eagle) Bush and Robert Bush and passed away on July 21, 2022 in Muldrow, Oklahoma. She was married to Clifton Barnes on August 31, 1971 in Gans, Oklahoma. Mrs. Barnes was a para-professional and JOM coordinator at Belfonte School, retiring after 29 years. She was a member of Keetoowah Nighthawk Society, a fluent first language Cherokee speaker and a Cherokee Nation Treasurer nominee. She thoroughly enjoyed passing down her native language to her family and the students at Belfonte. She took the students to many language competitions. Juanita was proud of her Native American heritage and her legacy will live on through her family and all the Belfonte children she proudly served. She was a fabulous cook and was well known for her frequently requested biscuits and chocolate gravy. She will be greatly missed by her loving family and dear friends.

Survivors are:

Husband: Clifton of the home;

2 daughters: Paula Barnes Teehee and Monte of Nicut community, OK and Heather Barnes of Roland, OK;

3 grandchildren: Kaila Tehee, Kasha Tehee and Nataya Dunlap;

1 great grandchild: Braydlyn Locust;

2 sisters: Nancy Fields of Marble City, OK and Cindy Chunestudy and Ron of Marble City, OK;

5 brothers: Stanley Bush of Fremont, MI, Jack Bush and Brenda of Nicut community, OK, David Bush and Nemo of Tahlequah, OK, Carnell Bush of Nicut community, OK and Rick Bush and Barbara of Sallisaw, OK;

1 brother-in-law:  Mike Polecat of Nicut, OK;

Numerous other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 sisters: Julia Pigeon and Stella Polecat, 2 brothers: Mike and Bob Bush and 1 nephew: Billy Jack Fields.

Active Pallbearers will be Winterhawk Grimmett, Michael Holcomb, Tommy Lee Edwards, Trent Fields, Chris Bush, Mark Darnell, Brian Edwards and Lyndon Smith.

Honorary Pallbearer will be Cole McCrary.

Viewing will be Noon – 6 pm Saturday, 2 – 8 pm Sunday and 8 am – 8 pm Monday at Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Home in Sallisaw where the family will greet 6 – 8 pm Monday.