Rallene Linstead

Laura Rallene (Watkins) Linstead was born Nov. 2, 1933, in Hobart to Raleigh and Murial Watkins and went to be with Jesus Sept. 2, 2022, at Sommerset Assisted Living in OKC. She was raised in a loving home with her siblings and cousin. Her childhood made her into the spunky, chatty, social firecracker so many people loved.
On March 23, 1952, Rallene married LeRoy Linstead in Hobart. He deployed with the US Army to Japan eight months later. She stayed in Hobart, but her heart longed to be with LeRoy. She wrote him a letter to let him know she was coming to Japan to join him. With no way of knowing if he had received the letter, she flew to Japan. She had the gift of making instant friends, and all the passengers on the plane knew her love story by the time the plane landed. Upon arrival, LeRoy was there waiting for his bride, and everyone rejoiced. They loved their time in Japan. They made friends, learned the culture, and learned some of the language. Hobart was always home, and they returned home in the spring of 1954 when she was late in her pregnancy with Sharon. Later came Kurt and Greg.
They raised a family and started a farming and ranching business. Rallene was the perfect partner to her farmer husband. When LeRoy, Kurt, and Greg would return home from the farm, she was there to feed them, love them, and chat about the day. She had the gift of gab, an enormous heart, and such pride in her family. She worked at Boone's Shoes putting to use her love of shoes and that gift of gab. She often told the story of being a little girl during a time when money was scarce and receiving a new pair of shoes was a big deal. Anytime she was given a new pair of shoes, she would sit with her feet propped up so she could admire them. This habit continued for the rest of her life. Whenever her "girls" would visit, she would admire their shoes and immediately ask to try them on. She was a member of Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) Hobart where her enthusiasm led to great success in transforming herself inside and out, and she received multiple awards including second place in her division in the 1980 International Charm and Beauty Contest. This was a major accomplishment; she was honored at the 1981 TOPS International Recognition Day and received a trophy and had a personal interview published in the international TOPS NEWS. Rallene was a member of Beta Sigma Phi where she and Sharon spent many happy years going to club meetings with their friends. She and LeRoy were close friends with Dennis and Linda Binghom and for over 40 years, every Saturday night was spent at dinner and the movie. The Binghoms, Flavious and Lorene Richardson, Jackie and Loretta Maggard and Barbara Ainsworth were all part of a close-knit circle of friends for many years and the loss of Rallene and LeRoy is felt deeply. Rallene and LeRoy were members of First Baptist Church, and she truly loved her Sunday School class. They showed her great love that continued upon relocating to OKC. She loved the Lord Jesus.
Rallene's proudest achievement was her family. She loved her children and their spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren immensely and always made sure they knew it in both her actions and her words letting them know how they were the most wonderful people. She and LeRoy traveled to many sporting events, dance recitals, school plays, children's church events and more and loved it.
She shared LeRoy's love of the OU Sooners, and they loved to watch games and root for their team together. They also enjoyed traveling together. They bought a motor home and traveled to Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado, often with friends and family. They loved their dogs as family, and JR, Bootsie and Gracie were wonderful companions in their retirement. In July 2022, LeRoy joined his heavenly father, and the family knew that Rallene would soon follow him just like she had to follow him when he went to Japan. They built a beautiful life together, and now they will live an even more beautiful eternity together.
Rallene is survived by son Greg and wife Lori; daughter-in-law Patti Linstead; son-in-law Carl Reimer and Pat Rogers, father of Bryan and Elisa. Grandchildren Bryan Rogers and fianc� Keri Strunk; Elisa McCurley and husband Mike; Britton Young and husband Brandon; Carson Linstead and wife Bridget; Lance Linstead; Grant Linstead and wife Kylie; granddaughter in love, Tracy Rogers. Great-grandchildren Bode Rogers; Jasmine, Audra, and Lauren McCurley; Everett and Easton Young; and Sloane Linstead. Brother Paul and wife Yulan; Jim Watkins, cousin who was more like a brother, and his wife Linda; many cousins and loved ones.
She was preceded in death by her husband LeRoy; parents, Raleigh, and Murial Watkins; children Kurt Linstead and Sharon Reimer; and siblings Billy Bob Watkins, Patsy Beatty, and Lewayne Pace.
The family would like to thank the dear friends who have supported us and prayed for us throughout this journey. We would also like to thank the incredible staff at Sommerset Assisted Living and Frontier Hospice. We would like to extend a special thank you to Jessica Plunk, registered nurse with Frontier. Rallene and LeRoy loved Jessica and their last few months were filled with love, laughter, and incredible care from her. Our family has so much gratitude for this special person.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make donations to the Kurt Linstead Memorial Scholarship Fund by mailing a check to First National Bank, P.O. Box 311, Weatherford, OK 73096. Or to the Alzheimer's Association, Tribute Gift, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or online at www.act.Alzheimer's.org .

Graveside Service: 10:30a.m., Saturday, September 10, 2022
Hobart Rose Cemetery

Celebration of Life: 1:00p.m., Saturday, September 10, 2022
First Baptist Church, Hobart, OK

Visitation: 9:00a.m., -8:00p.m., Thursday, September 8, 2022
9:00a.m.,-8:00p.m., Friday, September 9, 2022
Ray & Martha's Funeral Home
Hobart, Oklahoma

Under the direction of Ray & Martha's Funeral Home- Hobart