Leitha Belmer

Leitha Lavern Varnell Venable-Belmer was born May 13th 1934 in Mannford, OK. to Jessie Jack Varnell and Naomi Agnes (Mysner) Varnell. One of 12 children, she attended Mannford schools through the 10th grade. She married Bobbie Lee Venable in December 1951 and was married to him for 27 years until his death in 1978.To this union was born one daughter, Melody Denise, who was the light of their lives. After her marriage, Leitha finished high school at Central High in Tulsa. She then went on to attend Tulsa Business College. After that she then took many banking courses at TU. Her passion for knowledge and learning never faded. She worked for many years at 4th National Bank in Tulsa then went into business for herself with a ceramic shop in Sand Springs that she and Bob owned quite successfully until his death in 1978. After his passing, she taught ceramics for the city of Sand Springs. She also became a foster parent. She had the joy of influencing many young girlsí lives throughout the years having several in her care, many of whom she still had contact. She continued this until her ìretirementî in 1983. In 1986 she married Gerald Lloyd Belmer. They continued to live in Sand Springs until 1992, when they moved to Osage, OK. She then became very active with the Osage Senior Citizensí working as cook for a short time. She then went on to the Cleveland Senior Citizenís group serving as President for several years. Gerry died in 1995, but Leitha continued living happily in Osage. In 2000, she and her family opened a restaurant in Cleveland where she worked everyday touching the lives of many. This is where she officially earned the name ìGrandmaî, being grandma to the kids she worked with and many, many of the customers. She passed from this life on May 27th 2014. She had just celebrated her 80th birthday. Leitha loved the outdoors. She loved fishing, working in the garden and communing with nature. She said many times she loved the feel of the dirt underneath her fingernails. She was also an avid quilter, making many handmade heirlooms that she has and will pass on to loved ones. She knitted as well, and in her later years crocheted afghans that have become beloved treasures to many. She is preceded in death by both of her parents, both of her husbands, brothers Gerald Varnell, Mansel Varnell and Fred Varnell, and two sisters, Verla Jones and Julia Dodd. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law/grandson Melody Belmer and Christopher Belmer of Osage, OK., their children, her grandsons, Bryan Belmer of Tulsa, OK. and Emmanuel Belmer of Seaside, CA. She also leaves behind 5 step children, which include Arthur Belmer and his wife Cindy of Osage, OK. and Cheryl Lowe and husband Keith of Munford, TN. She leaves two brothers, Kenneth Varnell of Roanoke, AR., Hershel Varnell and his wife, special sister-in-law, Beverly of Mannford, OK, four sisters Beulah McDowell of Dumas, TX. Norma Hart of Sheldon, MO., Geneva Wilson of Cleveland, OK. and Oneda Lewis of Texas. Also surviving is sister-in-law Judy Varnell of Sapulpa, OK. She is leaving several step-grandchildren, Michael Belmer and his wife Amber, Patrick Belmer and his wife Sunshine and Shawn Belmer, all of Cleveland, OK.; Larry Nelson and Jeff Nelson of Tennessee. She also leaves behind oodles of nieces and nephews, many who were very special to her; great nieces and nephews of whom several she was extra fond of and many step grandchildren who brought laughter and joy to her life. She also leaves behind a host of cousins, friends and special ìadoptedî family.