Barbara Lou Mitchell Eppler, 88, passed away on October 2, 2026. She was born on November 30, 1937, to Hershall “Dick” and Gladys Mitchell. She was the middle child of four sisters and one brother. By the age of 16, she hadalreadymetandmarriedherlifelong husband Loyd “Sambo” Eppler.
They were married on May 22, 1954, and started a family of their own. Together they raised three kids: Russell Duane Eppler (Rusty), Mitch Lemuel Eppler and Monica Rachelle Eppler (Chapman). Throughout all their many years together, Sambo and Barbara worked hard at buildingalegacyoftheirown. Theybothcamefromnothing and worked diligently to make enough money to provide a comfortable living for their family, which they ultimately did. Barbara started off as a Hairdresser and had her own salon in Lebanon for many years. She eventually stepped away from the salon and that line of work and focused on helping Sambo and taking care of family.
Over their many years together, Barbara Lou and Sambo were able to experience a lifetime that most can only dream about as they were married for nearly 72 years. They spent a lot of time together over those years working hard, and although they liked to work hard, they also enjoyed spending a lot of time with friends and family, as well. Some of their favorite past times were things such as camping, traveling, attending Bluegrass Festivals, hosting pool parties, taking care of grandkids, playing cards, going to Church and pretty much anything else that involved being with loved ones. Although this is just a brief description to remember Barbara Lou and her life, it’s hard not to mention “Sambo” in doing so because they were inseparable so usually what one did, so did the other.
Although she helped Sambo work, she was also an exceptional homemaker and always had good food ready to eat three times a day. Barbara Lou was the living definition of what a true grandmother was. She always took care of not one or two, but usually six grandkids at a time and on a regular basis. She loved to tickle them until they couldn’t laugh anymore, and she also loved to tell scary stories and scare them at the very end.
“Granny Barbara Lou” and/or “Grandma Barbara Lou”, as she was affectionately known by her grandkids, shared many memories collected over the years. One of her most memorable and influential memories that she shared was when the piano salesman showed up to her house as a child. While lessons were not purchased for her, it inspired her too musically. Eventually she taught herself how to play the piano and continued to share her love of music and singing with all her family through all of her years. Although she never played in a formal setting, her “home concerts” were a treat to the ears that will be dearly missed.
Her love for her family was true and sincere and portrayedinmanydifferentways. Oneperson’sperspective of how her love was shown will be different than the next person’s, but their stories are all the same at the end the story is that she loved them. She was sincerely loved by everyone that knew her and will be greatly missed. Although we are all sad that she is gone from this earth, we can rejoice in the fact knowing that she is reunited with Sambo in heaven for all eternity.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Frank Mitchell; sisters, Dolores McMillan and Loretta Willis; husband, Loyd “Sambo” Eppler; son, Russell Eppler (Rusty).
She is survived by her sister Betty Jo Rhoades and husband Mike; children, Mitch Eppler and Rachelle Chapman; grandchildren, Omer “Duane” Eppler, Amber Joy Eppler, Chad Eppler, Brock Eppler, Weston Chapman and wife Candy, Jessica Douglas and husband Jonah; numerous great grandchildren, step grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral service will be Friday, October 9, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Watts Memorial Chapel in Madill, Okla. Curtis Willis will officiate the service. Interment will be at Lebanon Cemetery in Lebanon, Okla. Service is under the direction of Watts Funeral Home in Madill, Okla.
Paul Bearers are Duane Eppler, Chad Eppler, Brock Eppler, Weston Chapman, Jonah Douglas and Ashley Brittain.