Reta Kathleen Ames

Reta Kathleen Ames, 80, of Lenapah, Oklahoma, died on June 29, 2024, in Junction City, Kansas. She was born on August 8, 1943, in Coffeyville, Kansas, to Wesley Waltrip and Lorene (McClure) Waltrip.

Reta grew up in the South Coffeyville area, graduating from Lenapah High School. On July 11, 1962, Reta married the love of her life, Paul Eugene Ames, and the couple made their home in Lenapah, OK. Reta and Paul experienced a love and marriage built on teamwork for 59 years before Paul’s passing in 2021. The couple truly enjoyed their time together whether it was working on the farm or just being together.

Throughout the years, Reta held many hobbies and interests which include crocheting, knitting, taking photos, hunting, and fishing. For many years, Reta held the family record of shooting the largest buck. Reta was a huge nature and animal lover and enjoyed flower gardening, especially tending to her roses, and taking care of her dogs, cats, and cattle. She was an excellent cook and loved feeding her family. Although Reta worked as a homemaker, tending to her children and home for many years, later in life she worked at Acme Foundry in Coffeyville, KS for 11 years, before retiring. Reta loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them. She missed by her family and those who loved her.

Reta was preceded in death by her parents: Wesley and Lorene Waltrip; her husband: Paul Eugene Ames; her daughter: Susan Franco; her granddaughter: Krystal Dawn Ames; and her siblings: Bill Waltrip and Ruthleen Waltrip-Ames.

Those left to cherish the memory of Reta include her children: Janieve Rodriguez and husband, Douglas of Herington, KS, Michael Paul Ames and wife, Cristina of Nowata, OK, and Vernon Dwayne Ames of Lenapah, OK; her brother: John Waltrip and wife, Karen; 21 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren, along with other family members and friends.

A funeral service for Reta will be held on Friday, July 5, 2024, at the Benjamin Funeral Service Chapel at 10:00 AM with Pastor Kirk Jackson officiating. Interment will follow at the Martin Cemetery. A visitation for friends and family will be held on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, from 5-7 PM at the Benjamin Funeral Service Chapel. The family of Reta have entrusted her final care to the staff of the Benjamin Funeral Service of Nowata, OK. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemoriesnowata.com.