Willow Belle Rutledge Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Ms. Willow Belle Rutledge, 83, passed away Saturday, April 11, 2015 at Sparks Hospital in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Willow was born on January 25, 1932 in Porum, Oklahoma to Jack Ward and Bertha (Bishop) Ward. She grew up in Tamaha where she received her education. She then moved to New Mexico to pick cotton before moving to California where she met Lester Rogers. They were married in Reno, Nevada on December 4, 1948. They then moved back to Oklahoma where she raised her family. After the death of Lester in 1972, she married John Rutledge in 1980 at Keota. She loved to embroidery and watching the Cowboys. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Willow is survived by her three daughters, Carolyn Hensley and husband Kenneth of Poteau, Deborah Kennedy and husband Richard of Stigler, Janet Faye Dunham and husband Bob of Poteau; two brothers, Lawrence Ward and wife Sharon of Tamaha; Connie Ward of Stigler; a sister, Bonnie Hamlin and husband Berry of Stigler; six grandchildren, eight great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jack & Bertha Ward; two husbands, Lester Rogers, John Rutledge; a daughter, Linda Jean Rogers; three brothers, LeRoy, Albert and Lonnie Ward; two sisters, Irene Ward and Estaleen Lingle. Funeral Services will be held 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at Tamaha Freewill Baptist Church with Reverend Delmon Eakle officiating. Pallbearers include Edward McSperitt, Larry McSperitt, Nathan Ward, Austin Ward, Lawrence Ward, Jimmy Boggs. Burial will follow immediately at Tamaha Cemetery under the direction of King & Shearwood Funeral Home of Stigler.

Willow Belle Rutledge

January 25, 1932 - April 11, 2015