Lena Vesta Harris

Lena Vesta Rutledge Harris

Lena was born on May 23, 1933, to Edd and Hattie Dempsey Kenimer on the family farm southeast of Hobart, now the site of the Hobart Municipal Airport. She lived in Kiowa County her entire life and married Jack Rutledge on February 9, 1951. Together, they had a dairy farm north of Roosevelt, where they raised their children, Joe and Lee Beth. Lena went to her heavenly home on Sunday, November 24, 2024.

Lena became a member of Roosevelt First Baptist Church on Easter Sunday in 1946. Her family was active in the church, school activities, and the Roosevelt Roundup Club, and she loved her church deeply. She served in various roles, including Sunbeam leader, Sunday School teacher, and as a member of the Kitchen Committee.

She graduated from Roosevelt High School and later attended SWOSU. Lena was a teacher at Cooperton, Roosevelt, and Hobart schools, including the very room where, as a third grader, she heard President Roosevelt declare war in 1941. She also taught at the one-room Stone #35 school for eleven years, imparting knowledge to her students while gaining much pleasure from the experience.

Lena found great joy in life, instilling the love of reading to her students, serving the Lord, and was a willing helpmate to both of her husbands. She loved cooking, enjoyed family gatherings, and took pleasure in camping and water skiing at area lakes. She was also an active member of the Retired Teachers Association, serving for many years. After Jack's death, she married James Harris on January 6, 2001.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Jack Rutledge, with whom she shared 48 ½ years; her second husband, James Harris, with whom she shared 14 years; her daughter, Lee Beth Funkhouser; her son, Joe Rutledge; her sister, Hazel Groth; and her best friend of more than 80 years, Betty Block Broadus.

Lena is survived by her son-in-law, David Funkhouser and wife Betty of Roosevelt; grandchildren Dusty and wife Sherri Funkhouser of Roosevelt, Will and wife Christel Funkhouser, of Hobart; Jodie and husband Lucas Oxoteguy, of Denver; and Kristen and husband Travis Roberts, of Yukon. She is also survived by great-grandchildren: Clay, Faith, Jacy, Ethan, and Ledger Funkhouser, Teo and Lola Oxoteguy, and Karlee and Kennedy Roberts. Additionally, she is survived by two former daughters-in-law, Suzy Rojas of Norman and Karrie Ward of Oklahoma City, as well as sister-in-law Jocye Boyd.

Visitation: 1:00 p.m. ~ 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Family welcoming guest from 5:00 p.m.~ 7:00 p.m.

Ray & Martha's Funeral Home

Hobart, Oklahoma

Funeral: 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 27, 2024

First Baptist Church

Roosevelt, Oklahoma

Interment: Hobart Rose Cemetery

Hobart, Oklahoma