Lela Evelyn Rutledge-Clark passed away Aug. 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 Nov. 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’ 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. After the loss of Gil, she rediscovered her love for country dancing and married her dance partner John Clark.
Lela is preceded in death by her parents; husband Gil Rutledge; 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.
A funeral ceremony was held Aug. 26, 2025, in the Chapel at Walker Funeral & Cremation Service with Pastor Gary Nickerson of Hilltop Baptist Church officiating. Following the ceremony, she was laid to rest next to her husband Gil.
