Wayne Orr

In Memory of Wayne Orr

(August 31, 1945- May 28, 2021)

Wayne Harris Orr, 75, of Red Oak, Oklahoma passed away on Friday, May 28, 2021 at his home.

Viewing will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 1, 20201 at Waldrop Funeral Home.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at North Rock Cemetery in Red Oak, Oklahoma with Rev. Johnny Montgomery officiating.

Wayne was born on August 31, 1945 in St. Louis, Missouri to Harry and Bertha (Buhann) Orr. He married Kathryn Prince Orr in Texas on January 3, 1997.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Kathryn of the home and one sister. He is preceded in death by his parents and five brothers.

DeLores Earley

In Memory of DeLores Christopher

DeLores Jean Christopher Bullard Earley, 75, of Bentonville, Arkansas passed away on May 21, 2021 in Rogers, Arkansas.

DeLores Jean Christopher Bullard Earley was born on September 22, 1945 in Harshorne, OK to Argus and Della (Hodge) Christopher. She was raised in the Adamson community and graduated from Hartshorne High School. She raised two sons, Mark and Bruce Bullard with great love. She worked outside of the home and was a reliable and dedicated employee. After moving to Bentonville, AR, she worked for Wal-Mart until her retirement.

DeLores is survived by her son Bruce Bullard; sister Dorothea (Christopher) Rose; grandchildren: Tyler, Andrew, and Reece; her daughter-in -law: Kim Bullard; her best friend since childhood: Patti Lay; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands: Charlie Bullard and Wayne Earley; her brothers: Wayne, Boyd, and Burlin Christopher; and her sister Patsy Raunikar.

Our dear Delores could light up any room she walked into and had a smile that could make any day better. Her humor, wit, and joy for life are what made her such a special human. Her love for her family and friends could not be surpassed and that love was very much requited. Her shine and genuine goodness will be forever missed.

Marguerite "Marg" Rutledge

Marguerite “Marg” Rutledge, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away peacefully in her home of over 65 years in Red Oak, OK surrounded by family on May 17, 2021. Born Lula Marguerite Purtell to Clyde and Veva (Mattingly) Purtell in Dodge, OK on July 30, 1926, she spent her childhood surrounded with the love of her parents and siblings, Jerri, Bubby, Clint, Jean, Paul, Betty, and Wanda living in various places around Oklahoma and Missouri before settling in Leflore, OK. Although her childhood was marked with the indelible effects of the Great Depression, many characteristics needed for her survival during that difficult time became hallmarks of Marg’s character throughout her life: hope, imagination, resourcefulness, love of family, and her Christian faith. Marg had a razor-sharp quick wit that was a trademark of any conversation with her. She also had a life-long passion for creative writing and wrote many stories that her family treasure about her life and experiences.

Marg graduated from Leflore High School and then earned 21 hours from Eastern Oklahoma A&M (now Eastern Oklahoma State College). During World War 2, she worked at the Ammunition Depot in McAlester, OK sewing bags for ammunition and gunpowder. She married her High School Sweetheart, Bill Rutledge, on March 7, 1946 shortly after the end of World War 2 where he served in the 20th Air Force and was stationed in the South Pacific. They moved to Unit 605 in the Veteran’s Village at what was then Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) in Stillwater, OK where Bill earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees and they welcomed their first son, Bob, in 1948. After Bill’s graduation, they moved to Leflore, OK where he was a teacher and Junior High School Principal and they welcomed sons Jerry in 1950 and Steve in 1951. The year their 4th son Tom was born, 1955, the family moved to Red Oak, OK to the house that Marg lived in until her death. Her boys and their families were her life-long pride and joy – although, in her later years when reflecting on her life and raising 4 active, adventurous boys, she sometimes wondered “how did I do that?”! She worked as a secretary at Red Oak Public Schools and retired as an Executive Administrative Assistant at Eastern Oklahoma State College. As an adult, she learned how to play the piano and many of her family members recall listening to her music and spending time with her around her piano in her “sewing and piano room.” She was a member of the United Methodist Church for more than 70 years and was proud of the long line of clergy in her family stretching from her great-grandfather to her grandsons.

Marg’s proudest roles were those she held related to family: daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, etc. In her retirement, she spent many hours and several trips researching her family’s genealogy and family memories. On one trip that included Washington DC, she went to the National Archives to see if there was any way to find a letter that her brother Clint had written to Eleanor Roosevelt during the Great Depression. The fact that Mrs. Roosevelt, from the White House, replied to her brother and family in Leflore, OK and sent the change she had in her purse to help in whatever way she could left a life-long impression on Marg. The Purtell siblings held yearly family reunions for decades at Robber’s Cave State Park in Wilburton, OK at Shelter # 2 complete with fried chicken, coleslaw, homemade desserts like “Ma 'Tell’s” Chocolate Pie, and hours of family stories told at “Remembrance” Time. She was an amazing cook, a wonderful seamstress, and an accomplished outdoorswoman. She was most at peace outdoors and spent years planting trees and flowers around her property and perfecting the beautiful creek that ran behind her house. She also enjoyed traveling to visit family from California to North Carolina; but was always happy to be back home among her trees. In the mid-1980s, Marg, Bill, their sons, and daughters-in-law built a cabin on the Bald Knob Mountain in the Sans Bois Mountain Range of Southeastern OK. She and Bill spent much of their retirement time “at the cabin” enjoying all that the natural surroundings had to offer.

Marg is survived by her four sons and their families. Robert Wayne (Bob) and wife Carol of Ruston, LA, Jerry Don and wife Cindy of Pocola, OK, Steven Mark (Steve) and wife Connie of Red Oak, OK, and Tommy Grant (Tom) of Red Oak, OK along with her beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Edith Jean Purtell Carpenter and Norma Wanda Purtell, her brother Paul Wayne Purtell, along with many treasured nieces, nephews, and extended family. Marg was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Willie Benson “Bill” Rutledge; her parents Clyde and Veva (Mattingly) Purtell; her brothers Clyde Purtell Jr. (in infancy), Vance Rudolph (Bubby) Purtell, and Vaughn Clinton (Clint) Purtell; and sisters Geraldine (Jerri) Purtell Moore and Betty Ann Purtell Usry.

Her legacy is her family. When reflecting on their roles at Bill’s funeral in 2000, she said “by their lives, this age of young men and women were saying ‘We Are Able.’ I feel certain the {family} cloth is continuing strong, and even more beautiful than ever before.”

The family would like to thank Marg's family and friends who have provided care for her over the past few years and a special thank you to Heart of Hospice staff as well as Jessie Cato and Beckie Coy for their love, care, and support over the past many weeks.

A memorial service celebrating Marg’s life and legacy will be held at the First Baptist Church in Red Oak, OK on Friday, May 21 at 2:00pm officiated by Pastor Tommy Rutledge and burial following at Red Oak Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are Brad Rutledge, Jeremy Rutledge, Jericho Rutledge, Ryan Rutledge, Asher Kauk, and Jaxton Rutledge. The arrangements are under the direction of the Waldrop Funeral Home, Wilburton, OK.

The Bill and Marguerite Rutledge Scholarship at the W. B. Rutledge High School in Red Oak, OK has been established to honor Bill and Marg's lifelong dedication to education. For contributions, contact First National Bank, Wilburton, OK (741 Hwy 2 N, PO Box 100, Wilburton, OK 74578, 918-465-2381) beginning Friday, May 21, 2021. The family requests donations to the scholarship fund in lieu of flowers.

Bugs Leroy Shouse

Bugs Leroy Shouse

(April 22, 1966-May 15, 2021)

Bugs Leroy Shouse, 55, of Wilburton passed away Saturday, May 15, 2021 at his home.

The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 21, 2021 at Waldrop Funeral Chapel with Rev. Louis Reynolds officiating. The burial followed at Highbridge Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Tyler Crabtree, Timothy Easley, Calvin Easley, Donnie Posey, Kevin Posey, and Billy Jones.

Honorary Pallbearers are Randy Conley, Zach Chavez, Matt Elledge, Daryl Easley, Michael Null, Brian Jones, and Ronnie Posey.

He was born on April 22, 1966 in Independence Missouri to Wayne and Annette (Foster) Shouse. He married Letha Elledge on December 5, 1997 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Bugs is survived by his wife: Letha Shouse; father: Wayne Shouse of Jones, Oklahoma; son: Matthew Elledge and wife, Ashley of Wilburton; daughters: Annette Shouse of Jones, Oklahoma and Rebecca Calicote of Missouri; brother: Wayne Shouse Jr. and wife, Misty of Meeker, Oklahoma; and 10 grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his mother: Annette Shouse; and son: Jeremy Williams.

Kenneth O. Green

In Memory of Kenneth O. Green

(December 10, 1934 – May 13, 2021)

Kenneth O. Green, 86, of Wister passed away on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at his home.

Viewing will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, May 17, 2021 at Waldrop Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at the Bengal Community Center with Rev. Lamar Ford and Rev. Clint Cannon officiating. The burial will follow at Peachland Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Joshua Muncy, JT Davis, Christian McKinney, Adam Hammons, Nick Hammons, and Andrew Adams.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Bill Allen, Johnny Stanford, Rick Allen, Matthew McKinney, Donald Green, Sonny Stephens, and Jessie Williams.

Kenneth was born on December 10, 1934 in Wister, Oklahoma to Charles and Edith (Call) Green. He was married to his wife, Marilyn, for 38 years. He was a member of Seventh Day Church of God in Wister, Oklahoma.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn of the home; children: Pamela Sprouse of Russiaville, IN, Kimberlyn Stanford and husband, Johnny of Cravens, Rebecca Davis of Russiaville, IN, Elizabeth Allen and husband, Rick of Russiaville, IN, Christian McKinney of Wister, and Catrina Green and husband, Allen of Clinton, OK; sister: Linnie Merryman of Red Oak; 10 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents: Charles Green and Edith (Call) Green; 2 brothers; and 3 sisters.

Christopher Scott

In Memory of Christopher Scott

Christopher James Scott, 38, of Poteau, Oklahoma passed away on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at his home.

He was born on May 24, 1982 in Talihina, Oklahoma to Norman Scott and Wanda James. He graduated from Red Oak High School in 2001. He enlisted in the Army National Guard in March 2000 and was deployed to Egypt during Desert Storm. He was honorably discharged from the service in August 2006.

Chris received his Associates of Arts degree from Carl Albert State College in 2005 and then graduated from Northeastern State College in 2009. Chris was employed with McDonald’s as a swing manager until his death. On his days off he enjoyed watching movies, playing video games, and visiting with friends. He would occasionally go fishing and camping. Although he had no children of his own, he dearly loved his nephews: SanTino, Bentley, Gavin, Hunter, Abel; and his only niece: Alexis. Chris will be missed by all. 

He is survived by his father: Norman Scott of Poteau; mother: Wanda James of Poteau; brothers: Jonathan Scott and Zachary Eagle of Poteau; sister: Tabitha Scott of Poteau; five nephews; one niece; and numerous friends. 

Chris is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents; maternal grandparents; and brother: Michael Eagle. 

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 8, 2021 at Cedar Cemetery in Red Oak, Oklahoma with Rev. Don Ludlow officiating. Services are under the direction of Waldrop Funeral Home.

Perry Scales

In Memory of Perry Scales

Perry Lee Scales of Wilburton passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2021 at the age of 82.

He was born on January 15, 1939 in Chickasha, Oklahoma to Ed and Jessie (Gibson) Scales. He started his work in the oil field in 1953 at the age of 14. He worked many of those years in the Texas panhandle for both Eubanks and Service Drilling Company. He moved back to Wilburton in the mid-80s and continued his career with Hodges Trucking Company until he retired in 2011. Perry was passionate about his work and loved talking about the rig moves. He was proud to be known as “the best tandem driver” in the oil field.

Shortly after moving back to Oklahoma, he met and married the love of his life, Dorothy “Dot”. They built their beautiful home on Centerpoint Road and later built their restaurant, “Perry’s Headache Acres”, of which he was very proud.

Perry enjoyed entertaining and having get-togethers. He loved being around people and was generally the life of the party at social gatherings. It gave him great pleasure to tell his stories and make people laugh. His laugh was contagious and will be remembered by many. 

He is survived by his children: Michael Scales of Border, Texas,  Lance Howard and  wife, Sherry of Wilburton,  Cynthia Doane and husband, Joshua of Wilburton; his Step-Children: Jason Brinkley and wife, Shelly of Texas, Justin Brinkley of Enid, Trevor Brinkley of Texas, Amy Robinson and husband, Richard of Gowen, and Rhonda Chavez and husband, Mike of Albuquerque, New Mexico; his sister: Wanda Hammons and husband, Red of Red Oak; fourteen grandchildren; two great grandchildren; along with other family and a host of friends.

Perry is preceded in death by his parents: Ed and Jessie Scales; his wife: Dot; one brother; and one sister.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at Salt of the Earth Church in Wilburton, Oklahoma with Cindy Shero officiating. Services have been entrusted to Waldrop Funeral Home.

Laverne Smith

In Memory of Laverne Smith

On Wednesday, March 10, 2021, Laverne “Mema” Smith, loving wife, mother, and grandmother went to be with the Lord. Mema was born in Degnan, Oklahoma on March 3, 1922 to James and Icye McMahan. Mema became a Christian on January 22, 1939, she was baptized in Rock Creek, North of Red Oak, and joined First Baptist Church in Red Oak, Oklahoma.

After graduating from Red Oak High School, she worked in a Defense Plant in Detroit and in Oklahoma City until 1945. Mema married Wilbur Smith in Baltimore, Maryland on July 25, 1945. They were stationed at the Marine Base in Quantico, VA. The next year they returned to Red Oak, and began their family raising two sons, Jerry (1946) and Rick (1949). She said “If I had a hobby it was cooking for my family.”

Mema was a substitute teacher and then later owned and operated a Beauty Shop for years. She was a member of Eastern Star and received a 50 year pin in 2001. After they retired, her and Wilbur traveled many miles in their R.V. with family and friends. She was an avid sports fan as her boys played and Wilbur refereed for 35 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur Smith after 54 glorious years of marriage, her father James H. McMahan, her step-father Walter Jeffrey, her mother Icye Jeffrey, her brother Harold McMahan and wife Ellie from Novi, Michigan, her brother Jim McMahan and wife Katherine from Cheney, Kansas, her brother Joe Jeffrey and wife Margaret from Wilburton, Oklahoma, and her sister Bernice Hardaway and husband Doby from Santa Rosa, CA. She is survived by her brother Duane Jeffrey and wife Sue, and her sons Jerry Smith and wife Mary and Rick Smith and wife Brenda, her grandchildren Richelle Scrivner, Kason Smith, Justin Miller, Josh Smith, Joe Epperley, Zack Smith, and Crystal Fell, her great-grandchildren Abby and Bella Scrivner; Brayden Julian, Shayne and Allyson Smith; Tyler, Ryan, and Hannah Miller, Tanner and Blair Wallace; Brendan Lee, Saylor Smith; Gavin and Brylynn Turner, Mason and Bristol Epperley; Anna Smith; and Carter Fell and very special friends Jack and Nancy Cook who provided love, support, and companionship for many years.

Mema’s final message to her family and loved ones is “Always keep Jesus in the center of your lives so that one day when we leave this world, we will all be together in that wonderful city called Heaven, our home.”

The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at Waldrop Funeral Home in Wilburton, Oklahoma at 10:00 A.M. Graveside service will follow at Red Oak Cemetery. Pallbearers will be West Hilburn, Kenneth Prock, Kason Smith, Josh Smith, Zack Smith, and Jay Jeffrey. Honorary pallbearers will be Dub Jeffrey, Tom Jeffrey, Rob Jeffrey, John D. Jeffrey, Steve McMahan, Mark McMahan, Ernie Hardaway, Earl McMahan and Joe Epperley.

Houston Tom Jr.

In Memory of Houston Tom Jr.

Houston (Joe) Tom Jr., age 68, of Talihina, Oklahoma passed away on Monday, March 8, 2021 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Houston was born April 16, 1952 in De Queen, Arkansas. He had a sense of humor and was immensely proud of his heritage.

He is survived by his daughters: Tabitha Swing and husband, John of Tannehill, OK, Amy Tom of Texas, and Erica May and husband, Robert of Corpus Christi, TX; brothers: Bob Wall and wife, Charlene of Wewoka, OK and Jeremy Tom of Talihina, OK; sisters: Sherian Fremont and husband, Charles of Lubbock, TX and Sherry Jo Tom of Talihina, OK; Seven Grandchildren; along with several nieces and nephews.

Houston is preceded in death by his parents: Houston Tom Sr. and Inez Shockley; wife, Sandra Tom; daughter, Sarah Tom; two brothers; and one sister.

A viewing will be held from 1:00-200 p.m. at Grace Indian Baptist Church in Talihina, OK. The service will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Raymond Johnson officiating.

Services have been entrusted to Waldrop Funeral Home of Wilburton, OK.

Stella Hodge

In Memory of Stella Hodge

Stella Mae (Ward) Hodge, age 81, passed away on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 in Wilburton, Oklahoma. 

She was born September 18, 1939 to Orvin and Tilda Ward, at a little homestead in the community of Ash Creek, that still stands today. She was of the Baptist faith and a full-time, beloved employee at Robbers Cave State Park. She took great pride in her various titles of Mom, Granny, Sis, and Friend.

Stella was a beautiful soul, who always saw the good in people. Her kind spirit led her to making friends everywhere she went. Her home and heart were open to all. As so beautifully stated by her friends at Robbers Cave State Park, Stella has been a welcoming beacon for visitors around the globe. Her light will be grievously missed. 

She is survived by husband, Bill of the home; son, Mike Hodge and wife, Claudia of Wilburton; son, Charles Mote of Wilburton; brother, Gene Ward and wife, Kay of Hartshorne; four grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and her second family at Robbers Cave State Park. 

Stella is preceded in death by her parents, Orvin and Tilda Ward and sister, Norma Jean Taylor.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, March 8, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. in the Bob Waldrop Memorial Chapel at Waldrop Funeral Home.