Audrey Blanche Oyler

Services for Audrey B. Oyler (n. Barber), 76, of Little Elm, Texas, former and long time resident of both Tyler and Whitehouse, Texas, will be held at Holly Springs United Methodist Church and Cemetery in Martin's Mill, Texas, Saturday, July 6th at 11am. Brother Sherman Mayfield will officiate.
Ms. Oyler attended Chapel Hill I.S.D. where she enjoyed participating in basketball, volleyball, and band. As a member of the band she played the clarinet and was elected as the first and longest term Drum Major to hold the position for five years from 1950 until her graduation in 1955. She was also Band Queen in 1953. Being a very proud "Bulldog", she was ever honored to write the lyrics to the high school song and alma mater that is still in use today to the music of Pomp and Circumstance. She was active in Student Council for three years being elected as a class officer, and participated in numerous other school organizations throughout her education there. From there she attended Tyler Junior College in Tyler night classes in the early 1970's.
As Audrey's first job, she worked for the Singer Sewing Company in Tyler. As a member of the National Association of Accountants, Tyler Chapter, she was employed first by Brookshire Grocery Co. & Food Stores for over 15 years in the accounting department at the location of Beckham and Front Streets when there were only eight employees at the location. Trained by IBM, she was responsible for the first computer system installed and utilized by the company. She was subsequently employed at the main offices and warehouse located at Loop 323 and Old Jacksonville Hwy. Continuing in the accounting profession, she also worked for Howe-Baker Engineers, Inc., Gary Andrews Carpets, Traffic Technologies, Inc., and Texas Laminates, Inc. all in Tyler. Later employment included FEMA in Texas and Choice Hotels and AZCA Embroidery both located in Phoenix, Arizona.
In July of 1989 she became an entrepreneur as she opened her own business Artistic Embroidery (established in Tyler and subsequently moved to Whitehouse) and over the next ten years enjoyed all phases of owning and operating a small business. Designing specialty monograms and logos for organizations was her favorite part of the business. She procured work from the Shiners throughout the United States, and several other national organizations.
As a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary through the Whitehouse VFW Post #1799, Audrey made many friends and still spoke of them often.
During her life, she was an active bowler, and was a long-time member of the Buzzard Club and League through Green Acres Bowl in Tyler. Setting many local individual records that were published, she participated in tournaments across the United States. Her favorite tournament location was Las Vegas, NV and spoke of the trips taken by her and friends as some of the best as they traveled and saw a lot of our great country.
Living in Arizona, Oklahoma, and Texas, mother made many friends across the country.
Her family was her greatest accomplishment and their well-being was always important to her.
Preceding her in death were her parents Edward Jackson Barber, and Reba Maurine (Jones) Barber of Chapel Hill, Tx, brother Edward Earl Barber of Little Rock, Ar., and infant grandson Cameron Bedwell.
Ms. Oyler is survived by siblings Patricia Ann Burns of Frankston, Tx. and Billy Jack Barber of Chapel Hill, Tx.
Three daughters: Sheila Pannell and husband Carter of Broken Arrow, Ok., Cindy Eads and husband David of Little Elm, Tx., and Marti Alden also of Little Elm, Tx.
Nine Grand Children: Travis Pannell of Guthrie, Ok. and wife Amber. Mrs. Rachel May of Broken Arrow, Ok. and husband Michael. Mrs. Sarah DeSirey of Broken Arrow, Ok. and husband Mikey. Ms. Angela Pannell of Tyler, Tx., Marine Lance Cpl. David Eads, III, of Lewisville, Tx., Miss Taylor Eads of Ft. Worth, Tx., Mr. Garrett Eads of Little Elm, Tx., Mr. Trevor Bedwell of Richardson, Tx., and Mr. Connor Bedwell, also of Richardson, Tx.
Nine Great-Grandchildren: Vanessa, Lauren, Jacqueline, Keith, Jasmine, Kailyn, Luke, Brandon, and Carter.
Nieces and Nephew: Wayne and Kim Glaspie of Frankston, Tx., Chris and Patty Burns of New Braunfels, Tx., and Keith and Shelly Goettelmann of Lake In The Hills, Illinois, and Deyon Barber of Tyler, Tx. and their families.
She loved life, people, and never met a stranger. She was lucky in that she always seemed to be in the right place at the right time to make life events happen around her. Very unique and loving, she will be remembered always.
Viewing will begin at the church at 10am Saturday morning with service at 11am and interment immediately following.
Pallbearers will be: Travis Pannell, David Eads, III, Michael May, Mikey DeSirey, Garrett Eads, Trevor Bedwell, and honorary bearer will be Connor Bedwell.
Services are being coordinated by Charles W. Smith & Sons Funeral Home in McKinney, Tx.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the preservation of the historical Holly Springs Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 311, Canton, Texas 75102. Marvin Shaw, Treasurer.