Barbara Ann (Patch) VanCoevering

December 3, 1939 – January 20, 2021

Barbara Ann Patch VanCoevering, 81, went to be with the Lord on January 20, 2021.

Born in Lucien, Oklahoma on December 3, 1939, she was the daughter of Perry Noble and Rose Agnes (Skalenda) Patch. Following her graduation from Perry high school in 1958, she continued her education at the Draughon School of Business in Oklahoma City, where she was a member of the student council.

On December 26, 1958, she and fellow classmate, Glenn Edgar VanCoevering, were married in Perry. While Glenn was attending Oklahoma University, the couple lived in Norman and Barbara worked as a stenographer in Oklahoma City. After two years in Norman, Glenn transferred to Oklahoma State University. The couple made their home in Perry where Barbara was very involved in the community and served as the First Christian Church secretary. During Glenn’s senior year at OSU, they lived in Stillwater.

The couple’s big moved came when Glenn graduated from OSU with degrees in electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation engineering. He joined the International Paper Company, requiring a move to Louisiana.

Very involved in the community, Barbara received numerous recognitions, such as the Spirit-Pride-Progress Award from the Bastrop-Morehouse Parish Chamber of Commerce (1979), the Nathan Bolton Community Service Award Winner (1985), the Key Leader Annual Morehouse Family And Community Education Council (2000 and 2001), and the 2nd Annual Outstanding Service Award for Main Street (2001). She also received a certificate of appreciation for 35 years of service and 10 years as manager of the North Louisiana Cotton Fair and Festival (2014). In appreciation for their service to the community, the mayor declared October 23, 2009 as “Glenn and Barbara VanCoevering Day”.

Barbara also oversaw the Friends of Bastrop Main Street Brick to Brick program. The commemorative engraved bricks can be found around the courthouse square and helped fund other Bastrop Main Street projects including updates to the Visitor Center.

She had pet fish all of her life and loved raising koi. Known for her green thumb, Barbara enjoyed gardening, and collected rocks and cobalt blue glass. She was very artistic and able to see beautiful and unique possibilities of even the most ordinary items. She was also well known for creating windchimes with melted glass and driftwood. She sold her various art pieces at art shows all over the south, calling her business “Happiness Windchimes.”

The PHS class of 1958 was very special to her, and she remained close to her classmates throughout her life. Also she was the queen of the Cherokee Strip Celebration Days in 1957. She loved wearing her “queen” shirt when attending the annual class reunions.

Preceding her in death were: her husband, Glenn, in 2013; sisters, Marilyn Beasley and June Patch; parents; and stepmother, Mabel Patch.

She is survived by: her son, David Patch VanCoevering; daughter, Keri Glenn VanCoevering Hindmon; son, Paul Ross VanCoevering (and wife Melissa); seven grandchildren, Crystal Harris, Teri Lingefelt (and husband Chad), Ross Hindmon, Jessica Hindmon, Taylor VanCoevering (and wife Farrah), Jake VanCoevering, Michelle Jerkins (and husband Chris); seven great-grandchildren, Harlee Harris, Kayte Harris, Hannah Alexander, Jordan Lingefelt, Joseph Lingefelt, Kinsley Jerkins, Brantley Jerkins; along with many other friends and relatives.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. at Cox Funeral Home of Bastrop. Pastor Lisa Mayo will officiate. Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Bastrop, Louisiana.