Glenna Ruth Schimmel

Glenna Ruth Schimmel was born on June 23, 1936, just north of Alma, Arkansas on old highway 71. She was the daughter of Walter Glenn and Anna Ruth (Farmer) Rye. Glenna was raised and began first grade in Alma. Glenna became interested in music at an early age and began to excel playing the piano. Glenna later attended school in Ft. Smith between the sixth and ninth grades. While attending high school, she returned with her mother to Van Buren and later graduated from Van Buren High School in 1954. While in high school she was a member of the National Honors Society, Future Homemakers and the Glee Club. After graduation Glenna began working for a local company in Arkansas and in 1956, Glenna purchased her first car a 1954 Chevy. She later met the love of her life James Allen Schimmel at a U.S.O. dance while James was a chaperon for Elvis Presley. On September 7, 1958, Glenna was united in marriage to Jim at Van Buren, Arkansas in the Calvary Baptist Church. The couple established their initial home in Mineral Wells, Texas. In 1962, Glenna and Jim moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Later the couple moved to the Cleveland Area on Keystone Lake where she has continued to reside. Glenna enjoyed fishing, working in her garden, playing the piano and watching television. Her favorite shows were I Love Lucy for the comedy, Andy Griffin because of the morals and Survivor for the beauty of the scenery. Glenna also liked to sit down at times and read the Bible, look through National Geographic and learn more about individuals through their memoirs. Glenna was a major part of the Westport Baptist Church; always attending to the dinners for funerals as well as other things that needed attention. Family was of a highest priority to her and was a significant part of her life. She was an excellent homemaker and loving mother; she was proud of the home she provided for and maintained for her family. Glenna Ruth Schimmel went to be with her Lord and Saviour on Sunday evening, December 12, 2010 at the age of 74 years 5 months and 20 days. Survivors are her daughter Julia L. Hughes and her husband Phil of Cleveland, Oklahoma, one step son Michael T. Schimmel of Arizona, one step daughter Mary Sue Schimmel of Seagoville, Texas and their children and grandchildren; one brother Douglas Rye and his wife Phyllis of Benton, Arkansas; two grandchildren Monica Hamill and her husband Jon of Artesia, New Mexico, Megan Brimmer and her husband Adam of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; three great grandchildren Annabella, Izabella and Benjamin, one niece April Shy and her husband Craig of Fayetteville, Arkansas; one nephew Phillip Rye and his wife April of Bryant, Arkansas; five great nieces and one great nephew as well as a host of other relatives and friends. Glenna was preceded in death by father Walter Glenn Rye, mother Anna Ruth Farrar, step father Ezra Farrar, husband Jim Schimmel and an infant daughter Audria Gale. Funeral services will be held 10:30 am, Thursday, December 16, 2010 in the Sanctuary of the Westport Baptist Church with Rev. Ray Earley officiating and assisted by David Smith. Burial will follow in the Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland, Oklahoma under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home.