Obituary for Leta Frances Avants
Leta Frances Parish Avants, age 79 passed from this life Wednesday, February 2, 2022 in Rush Springs.
Funeral Services are scheduled for Friday, February 11, 2022, at 10:00 AM, at Rush Springs Church of Christ. Burial will follow in the Rush Springs Cemetery. All arrangements have been entrusted to Callaway-Smith-Cobb Funeral and Cremation Services in Marlow.
Visitation for Leta will be at Callaway-Smith-Cobb Chapel in Rush Springs on Thursday, February 10, 8:30 AM - 8:30 PM.
The family will be accepting visitors at the Rush Springs Chapel on Thursday evening from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM.
Leta was born Saturday, January 16, 1943 in Chickasha, Oklahoma to Robert “Finley” Parish and Gussie
Letha (Crittendon) Parish. She was a 1961 graduate of Rush Springs High School and during her senior
year, married Roy Jennings of Empire. Together, they have two daughters, Tamra Jennings Martin and
Lesa Jennings Foster. After high school, Leta attended Oklahoma Christian University, University of
Central Oklahoma and Cameron University. Later in life, she married Eugene Avants and gained a son,
Kelsey Avants of Marlow. They were married 27 years until his passing in 2010.
What Leta enjoyed most was being with family and friends. She and Gene were inseparable, attending
ballgames of their grandchildren and never missing an opportunity to be in the stands cheering for
them. They also enjoyed campfire cooking and attending the Ranch Rodeo where their Dutch oven
cobbler was always a fan favorite. They were loyal volunteers for the American Cancer Society and
spent years supporting Relay For Life, delivering daffodils and volunteering at the Cattle Baron’s Ball.
Leta was a lifelong member of the Rush Springs church of Christ and loved attending Yellowstone Bible
Camp in Montana - something she looked forward to every year.
Survivors include one brother Ronald Parish and wife Cindy of Rush Springs, two daughters Tamra
Martin and husband Lyndall of Frisco, Texas, Lesa Foster of Rush Springs and one son, Kelsey Avants of
Marlow. Eight grandchildren, Skye Wortham and husband Caleb of Marlow, Stormi Patterson and
husband Trent of Yukon, Summer Hale and husband Austin of Chickasha, Kyle Foster of Rush Springs,
Meredith Wibker and husband Brian of Bedford, Texas, Jared Martin of Frisco, Texas, Karley Dunlap and
husband Darren of Marlow, Kealey Neighbors and husband Zac of Marlow. Eleven great-grandchildren
with two on the way, Avery, Barrett, Deacon, Callyn, Madi, Lane, Tatum, Sutton, Wesley, Kanyon and
Maggie. Leta is also survived by sisters in law Kaye Avants, Marilyn Avants and brother in law Lon Avants
as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, grandparents, son in law, Coach Barry Foster and
three angel granddaughters, Amilia, Ava and Harper.
Pallbearers are grandsons Kyle Foster, Jared Martin, Caleb Wortham, Austin Hale, Trent Patterson,
Darren Dunlap, Zac Neighbors, Brian Wibker and Matt Pierce. Honorary Pallbearers are Roy Jennings,
Jim Coast and Phil Landrum
Memorial donations can be made to the American Cancer Society “Hope Lodge” at
www.cancer.org/hopelodgeoklahomacity or Yellowstone Bible Camp Foundation, 909 Nevada, Belgrade,
MT 59714.
Online condolences may be made to www.CallawaySmithCobb.com
Funeral Services are scheduled for Friday, February 11, 2022, at 10:00 AM, at Rush Springs Church of Christ. Burial will follow in the Rush Springs Cemetery. All arrangements have been entrusted to Callaway-Smith-Cobb Funeral and Cremation Services in Marlow.
Visitation for Leta will be at Callaway-Smith-Cobb Chapel in Rush Springs on Thursday, February 10, 8:30 AM - 8:30 PM.
The family will be accepting visitors at the Rush Springs Chapel on Thursday evening from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM.
Leta was born Saturday, January 16, 1943 in Chickasha, Oklahoma to Robert “Finley” Parish and Gussie
Letha (Crittendon) Parish. She was a 1961 graduate of Rush Springs High School and during her senior
year, married Roy Jennings of Empire. Together, they have two daughters, Tamra Jennings Martin and
Lesa Jennings Foster. After high school, Leta attended Oklahoma Christian University, University of
Central Oklahoma and Cameron University. Later in life, she married Eugene Avants and gained a son,
Kelsey Avants of Marlow. They were married 27 years until his passing in 2010.
What Leta enjoyed most was being with family and friends. She and Gene were inseparable, attending
ballgames of their grandchildren and never missing an opportunity to be in the stands cheering for
them. They also enjoyed campfire cooking and attending the Ranch Rodeo where their Dutch oven
cobbler was always a fan favorite. They were loyal volunteers for the American Cancer Society and
spent years supporting Relay For Life, delivering daffodils and volunteering at the Cattle Baron’s Ball.
Leta was a lifelong member of the Rush Springs church of Christ and loved attending Yellowstone Bible
Camp in Montana - something she looked forward to every year.
Survivors include one brother Ronald Parish and wife Cindy of Rush Springs, two daughters Tamra
Martin and husband Lyndall of Frisco, Texas, Lesa Foster of Rush Springs and one son, Kelsey Avants of
Marlow. Eight grandchildren, Skye Wortham and husband Caleb of Marlow, Stormi Patterson and
husband Trent of Yukon, Summer Hale and husband Austin of Chickasha, Kyle Foster of Rush Springs,
Meredith Wibker and husband Brian of Bedford, Texas, Jared Martin of Frisco, Texas, Karley Dunlap and
husband Darren of Marlow, Kealey Neighbors and husband Zac of Marlow. Eleven great-grandchildren
with two on the way, Avery, Barrett, Deacon, Callyn, Madi, Lane, Tatum, Sutton, Wesley, Kanyon and
Maggie. Leta is also survived by sisters in law Kaye Avants, Marilyn Avants and brother in law Lon Avants
as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, grandparents, son in law, Coach Barry Foster and
three angel granddaughters, Amilia, Ava and Harper.
Pallbearers are grandsons Kyle Foster, Jared Martin, Caleb Wortham, Austin Hale, Trent Patterson,
Darren Dunlap, Zac Neighbors, Brian Wibker and Matt Pierce. Honorary Pallbearers are Roy Jennings,
Jim Coast and Phil Landrum
Memorial donations can be made to the American Cancer Society “Hope Lodge” at
www.cancer.org/hopelodgeoklahomacity or Yellowstone Bible Camp Foundation, 909 Nevada, Belgrade,
MT 59714.
Online condolences may be made to www.CallawaySmithCobb.com