Barbara Hutchinson
1929 – 2019
Barbara Baugh Hutchinson, 89, of Edmond, Okla., passed away Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, at her daughter's home in Columbus, Ohio after a brief illness. She leaves behind her daughter, Caroline Hutchinson Hall and son-in-law, Doug Hall; her son, Robert Hutchinson "Bob" and daughter-in-law, Glennette; her sister, Nancy Shepard; four grandchildren: Andrea Bumgarner, Jeffrey Hicks, Katie Hutchinson, and Matthew Hall; great-grandchildren, Courtney and Caitlyn Bumgarner and Jack Hicks; and many loving nieces, nephews, and close friends. Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, John William Hutchinson Sr., and her son, John Hutchinson Jr. Barbara was born in Okmulgee, Okla., to Robert Lee Baugh and Naomi Schmalhorst Baugh on Oct. 30, 1929. She grew up in Okmulgee, where she fell in love with returning World War II Army Air Corps veteran John Hutchinson. After graduation from Okmulgee High School, Barbara attended William Woods College, then married John in late 1949. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.A. in Special Education and a master's degree in Speech Pathology. Barbara spent many years as an activist for women's rights initiatives, lobbying the Oklahoma legislature for passage of the ERA, organizing protests, and offering advocacy to women in need. One of her moments of greatest pride was when she was introduced to the Russian protest novelist, Alexandr Solzhenitsyn. Upon learning of her social activism in the Equal Rights movement, he shook her hand and said, "We shall be dissidents together." Barbara had a passion for children, having taught in traditional classrooms and gave in-home piano lessons for many years. Her passion for living carried over into her home as her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will always remember her kindness, generosity, and focus on making sure that the kids were happy. Barbara and her husband John were longtime members of First United Methodist Church in Edmond. Barbara was very dedicated to her faith, having served on several church committees and as a member of the Methodist Women. A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, at the First United Methodist Church in Edmond, Okla. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to First United Methodist Church, Edmond. Services are under the direction of Matthews Funeral Home, Edmond.