Lena Whitman Corkran was born Dec. 24, 1927 in Ryan Okla., daughter of C.R. and Eunice (Houchins) Whitman. She passed away on July 16 at Washington Regional Hospice in Fayetteville at age 91.
Lena lived a full life – at age 16 she met and fell In love with Richard Corkran (age 18) and they were happily married for 45 years. They were blessed with four children and the family traveled extensively for Richard’s work, living in Denver, Colo., for many years, before settling in Tulsa, Okla., in 1976.
She was widowed in 1988 and rebuilt her life after surviving breast cancer. She worked as a fashion model in Dallas, in the interior design business and in retail sales. She was active in the Order of the Eastern Star, volunteered at church and was a full time caregiver for her aging parents. She moved to Peachtree Village in Eureka Springs, Ark., in 2013 after being diagnosed with dementia.
Lena is survived by three daughters, Linda Lewis and Vicki Adams of Eureka Springs and Pamela Rathbone of Tulsa, Okla.; five grandchildren, Laura Weatherly, Brian Tyler, Jennifer Proctor, Jeremy Traylor, Richard Adams; eight great grandchildren, Johnathon, Meredith, Joshua, Jaidyn, Jeremy, Brandon, Jewel and Journey.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Richard, her son Larry, and great-granddaughter, Joleigh.
Lena was funny, kind and sweet, with a winning smile, sparkling eyes and a tenacious spirit. She was loved by family, friends, her fellow residents at Peachtree Village and Holly House and her Facebook fans.
Graveside Service at 2 p.m. on July 26 at Laurel Land Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas. In lieu of Memorial Donations, we ask that you visit a resident of an assisted living facility where you will surely brighten a lonely life. On-line condolences may be sent to www.dignitymemorial.com.