Funeral services for Lela Faye Dodds, 96, of Purcell were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 1, 2025 at the Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel. Internment followed at the Hillside Cemetery in Purcell under the direction of the Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Purcell.
Mrs. Dodds passed away Tuesday, February 25, 2025.
Born August 13, 1928 in Maysville, Okla., she was one of six children born to Richard Ephram Ballard and Annie Leolia (Woodward) Ballard.
Lela was primarily raised in Lindsay where she attended school, graduating with the Leopards Class of 1946. By chance, she met a young man named John Elton Dodds. They met on a double date, and the rest as they say is history. They moved from Lindsay to Purcell in 1957 where they raised two sons, John and Darrell.
Lela retired from GTE after more than 35 years of service. While there, she did a little bit of everything, from switchboard operator to supply, where she was qualified to drive forklifts. She eventually completed her career at the business office.
Away from work, Lela’s world revolved around antiques. Antiquing was something her and John enjoyed together. Lela traveled countless miles looking for the right piece, and was called on for reference and confirmation work due to her knowledge. She rented booths in malls and stores, and was an all-around expert on Frankoma Pottery.
Lela was a woman of great faith and longtime member of the Free Will Baptist Church in Purcell. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and a true friend. She will be dearly missed!
She was preceded in death by her husband John E. Dodds; her parents, Richard and Annie Ballard and siblings, Arlene McCown, Dorothy Miller, Alvin Ballard, Calvin Ballard and Roy Ballard.
She is survived by her sons, John Dodds of Norman and Darrell Dodds of Oklahoma City; five grandchildren, Dyndi Gibson, Jenny Maxwell, John Ehren Dodds, Sarah Jane Cornelison and Chey Loessberg; 10 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.
Online condolences may be made at www.wilsonlittle.com.