Leora Rutland Courtney Woodford

Funeral services Leora Rutland Courtney Woodford will be held Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 2:00 PM at the Parks Brothers Funeral Home Chapel in Okemah. Interment will follow at the Highland Cemetery in Okemah. Leora Gordon Rutland Courtney Woodford was born January 20,1937 to Horace and Virgie Gordon in Mason Ok. Horace and Virgie had 11 children with Leora being their 3rd daughter. She was proceeded in death by her parents, her ﬁrst Husband Billie Noble Rutland, whom she had 3 Children with. Sherrie Kay Rutland Brookshire, Reginald Eugene Rutland and Bobby Noel Rutland all of Okemah. She and Billie had 4 grandchildren Shali, Tony Allen, Cassie and Gary and several great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Later in life she met and married Jackson Courtney where she gained 3 bonus sons, Stanley, Randy and Bruce Courtney, along with many Bonus Grandchildren, great grandchildren and great greats. Leora had many many nieces and nephews who she dearly loved. She and Robert Woodford enjoyed each other’s companionship and friendship for 7 years before she passed February 21, 2025, in Okemah at the age of 88. Leora was a very loving and caring person. She had accomplished many things in her life besides her beautiful family. In her mid 50s Leora decided to go to school and become a registered nurse. She graduated from Seminole State College. She is well known for her Spiritual Love for her Savior Jesus. She studied His word very often and was given in depth understandings that inspired her to write and publish several books. Such as Crossroads to Spiritual Eternity and Words of Life and other books. She never missed an opportunity to tell her family, friends, patients and even strangers about her Jesus. She Helped Her Brother Bill and together they founded our local Just Say No Club. She traveled to Washington and was personally recognized by Former Pres. Ronald Ragen and Nancy Regan for her endless hours of work ﬁghting against drug abuse in Okfuskee and many surrounding counties. She accompanied her little brother on a Missionary trip to Mexico. A dream she actually was able to accomplish when she thought she never would. During her nursing career she managed a home health company in Okmulgee. Leora had a passion for woodworking, she made so many bird houses of all shapes and designs. Even whole cities in her yard, like a post office, General mercantile, School etc. A Whole City. She loved her flowers and flower gardens. She even made a working water wheel in the midst of her gardens. She loved spending time in her gardens where she would study, sing, pray and praise her Savior. Leora was also preceded in death by her siblings, Sister Cleta Bonner, brother-in-law Carl Bonner, Sister Leta Dyer, brother in law Fred Dyer, Sister Joann Christiansen and brother in law Ben, her brother Hershall, Sister Kathy Fern and Brother Bill. In addition to being survived by her children and grandchildren, Leora leaves behind siblings, Will and Pat Gordon, Berinda Gordon, Rob and Dixie Gordon, Eldon and Louise Gordon, Darlene and Steve Grammer. Leora will be missed dearly in this world, but she would say to everyone, you can come to where I am, if you will only hear Jesus calling you and obey. Serving as pallbearers will be Gary Rutland, Brent Tripp, Billy Gordon, Jody Gordon, Jessie Otwell and Johann Linker. Honorary bearers include Lamont Frasier, Dylan Greenley, Tony Rutland, Byron Gordon, Ron Driskill, Lane Driskill, David Gordon and Mike Driskill. Services will be under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Home, Okemah, Oklahoma and officiated by Logan Lynch. Online condolences may be made at www.ParksBrothersFuneralHome.com.

Leora Rutland Courtney Woodford

January 20, 1937 - February 21, 2025