Wylma Pervin

Wylma Jo Barnes was born in Oklahoma City, OK on January 18, 1924 to Joseph L Barnes and Pearl J Barnes (Armstead).  She was the youngest of 3 children.  She graduated from John Marshal High School in 1942 as Mrs. Stanley Smith. During her marriage, they welcomed her only daughter, Janice Faye, into the world.  She was an independent minded, free-spirit, but having her family nearby was always important to her. During WWII she worked at Tinker Air Force Base and was a true Rosie Riveter.  As a tall, gorgeous, woman, she was recruited as model, and moved to Chicago as a model trainer for Ford Models. It was during this period where she would learn and develop a love for the art of photography. While in Chicago, she met and married a musician husband, and together they moved to Houston, where she also made several music recordings.  When the musician lifestyle didn’t work out, she parted ways with him. True to her nature, she carried on, and became the first woman car salesman for Frizzell Pontiac in Houston. It was in this city where she met the love of her life, Richard Pervin, who was a photographer as well.  She and Richard built a wonderful life together, and they stayed together for the rest of their lives. In the late sixties Wylma Jo and Richard gave up the city lifestyle, and they followed her family to Stilwell OK, where her sister, Faye Long lived. They settled on a family farm, where four generations of Barnes subsequently lived. She was instrumental in keeping the family together.  During their time in Stillwell, Wilma Jo and her husband headed up the Strawberry Promenades square dancing group, and they became head of the State of Oklahoma Square Dance Association.  She worked several jobs in and around Stilwell, including the newspaper, Farm Bureau Insurance, and Baldor Motor company.  After decades of farm life, Jo and Richard moved to Noble, and later, Oklahoma City.  She is remembered most by her zest for life, her love of her family, and her beautiful sewing creations.