Brenda Nell (Barnes) Ringer
Brenda Nell (Barnes) Ringer of Mulhall, Oklahoma, was born May 14, 1948 in Wynnewood, Oklahoma to Leo Eugene Barnes and Geneva Hattie (Boatwright) Barnes. She passed away on Dec. 9, 2023 in her home in Mulhall, Oklahoma, aged 75 years. She married Douglas George Ringer on September 5, 1970 in Sulphur, Oklahoma. Brenda grew up in Sulphur, graduated Sulphur High School and then attended Oklahoma State University majoring in Family Relations and Child Development. She played piano and marched in the Oklahoma State University Marching Band. When she completed her degree and received her teacher’s certificate, she substitute taught school at various schools in central Oklahoma.
Brenda met Douglas Ringer and married at Oklahoma State University. They married in 1970 and moved to a family home in Mulhall, Oklahoma where Douglas was a bi-vocational pastor at Mulhall Baptist Church. They then followed God’s Call to serve with the International Mission Board in Vientiane, Laos. They arrived in Laos in June 1973 and served two years before leaving Laos for Thailand when the country fell to communism. They then served for 35 years in several areas throughout Thailand. During this time Brenda taught English, piano, and homeschooled her sons. She moved over 17 times and had many interesting experiences leading her to say about her life, “I was never bored.”
She and Doug retired from mission work in 2010, returning to Mulhall not far from where they were first married. They lived out their retirement by serving in Mulhall Baptist Church where Brenda loved playing the piano and organ. She also enjoyed attending sporting events and recitals of her ten grandchildren, and helping Doug with the farm. Brenda never met a stranger, and loved making friends wherever she went. She was known for being genuine, funny, loving, and always finding something she had in common with people. Brenda lived by the phrase her mother instilled in her, “People are more important than things”, and she was always generous with her time and resources. She was a great encouragement to many missionaries on the field, and known for her delicious apple pie. She was a proud member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
Brenda was a beloved wife and mother, sister, and grandmother. She is preceded in death by her parents Leo and Geneva Barnes, her niece Susan Ringer Slane, and her nephew Creston Barnes. She is survived by her husband, Douglas Ringer and her sons, Joshua and Crystal Ringer of Mulhall, Steven and Joey Ringer of Goddard, Kansas, and Matthew and Sylvia Ringer of New Castle, Colorado and her ten beloved grandchildren. Luke, Kate, Emma, and Hannah Ringer, Abigail, Asher, and Sarah Ringer, and Ethan, Levi, and Kenan Ringer. She is also survived by her brother Al Barnes of Durant, OK.
Her favorite verse was Lamentations 3:22-23: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Funeral services were held on Friday, December 15, 2023 at 10:00 A.M at the First Baptist Church (412 E. Sullivan Ave., Mulhall, OK 73063) with James Swain and James Tucker officiating. Burial followed at a private family cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the International Mission Board, in memory of Brenda Ringer: http://www.imb.org Services are under the direction of Hayes Funeral Home. Friends and family may sign the online guestbook at hayesfh.com.