Lela Evelyn Rutledge-Clark

Lela Evelyn Rutledge-Clark passed away peacefully in her home August 21, 2025. Lela, also known as "Lee" or "Chubby", was a strong woman to the end as she battled lung cancer for a year and a half.

Lela was born on November 20, 1938, to Johnie William Estep and Izetta Caldonia Butler Estep. She was born at the Carter Grisso Camp in Seminole, OK where her dad worked for the Grisso Oil Company. She attended Shawnee High School. She quit school in her senior year to pursue a career in country singing. During this time, she would travel to nearby towns to sing on stage and on local radio. After a short marriage to Ron Dixon, she became a single working mom to two children picking cotton and locally known as the "singing waitress" at Stokes's Cafe here in Shawnee. It was there she met her husband of 48 years, Gilford Rutledge. Upon marrying Gil, she stayed home raising her girls and having two more children, taking ironings for ten cents a shirt and then later in life working at TDK Mfg. After retiring from there, she cleaned houses for several prominent Shawnee residents. Throughout her life, Lela enjoyed fishing, sewing (often making matching outfits for her kids), ceramics, crushed glass pictures, quilting, crocheting and many more crafts that spiked her interest. After the loss of Gil, she rediscovered her love for country dancing and married her dance partner John Clark. She enjoyed cooking for family gatherings and her love for birds, flowers, and puzzles is obvious in her home.

Lela is preceded in death by her parents Johnie & Izetta Estep, husband Gil Rutledge, as well as her siblings Elaine, Betty, and Billy Rex. She is survived by sisters Leta and Janice, children Barbara (& Steve) of Traer, IA, Kay (& Mike) of Shawnee, OK Sherry (& Randy) of Farmington, NM, and Gil Jr. "Bubba" (& Kim) of Seminole, OK. Nine grandchildren: Kiera, Nate, Etheny, Chandler, Kasie D., Presley, Devon, Dalon, and Delaney. Seventeen great grandchildren and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Friends and loved ones may pay their respects at the funeral home from 12-7PM on Monday, August 25. A funeral ceremony to celebrate her precious life will be held at 10AM on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, in the Chapel at Walker Funeral & Cremation Service with Pastor Gary Nickerson of Hilltop Baptist Church officiating. Following the ceremony, she will be laid to rest next to her husband Gil.

Arrangements are under the direction of Walker Funeral & Cremation Service.