Candy Naifeh Barnard passed to be with her Lord on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at Hillcrest Hospital South in Tulsa. Candy was born on February 1, 1951, in Sapulpa to Zeke and Dee Naifeh, who preceded her in death.
Candy proved to be gifted at an early age. In the sixth grade, she won a national penmanship contest. In eighth grade, she won a choir royalty contest and when the boy who also won leaned in to kiss her, she turned her cheek. This made her father very happy.
Candy was a very gifted vocalist. In high school, she made the allstate choir all three years she was eligible and consequently earned a vocal music scholarship at Oklahoma State University, where she earned her Bachelor Degree in Music Education. After college, she taught music at Kensler Elementary in Wichita, Kansas while her husband Gary was in the Air Force at Mc-Connel Air Force Base. Candy and Gary moved to Okmulgee in 1976 where Candy taught vocal music, K-12, at Morris High School. During this time in Okmulgee, Candy shared her beautiful voice by singing in the First United Methodist Church Choir and many weddings and funerals in the area. Candy also gave students private lessons in voice, piano, guitar and violin, plus teaching an adult Spanish class.
From the beginning, February 1, 1951 – October 2, 2024
Candy expressed her love for Christ in everything she did. Her students loved her because she showed them how much she loved them. She impacted adults in the same way by being the example of love that was Christ.
When physical and medical problems prevented her from teaching, Candy poured herself into her Bible study to keep her faith strong.
Candy is survived by her husband, Gary, daughter Camille Miller and grandchildren, Madison and Mackenzie Miller.
As most know, Candy was a hardcore Oklahoma State Cowboy sports fan, having season basketball tickets for several years and season football tickets for over forty years. So, at the viewing from 1-6 p.m. on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at McClendon-Winters Funeral Home, Candy will be in her usual OSU orange.
Candy’s celebration of life service will be held Monday, October 14, 2024, at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. This will be a casual celebration and everyone who has orange should wear orange.
In lieu of flowers, please make a charitable donation to the Okmulgee First United Methodist Church Pantry. This would make Candy very happy because they feed the less fortunate here in Okmulgee.
The family requests no home visits at this time.
Arrangements and cremation services have been entrusted to McClendon-Winters Funeral Home of Okmulgee. Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on Candy’s Tribute Page at www.mcclendon-winters. com.
