Leora M. Dryden
Dec 15, 1911 - Mar 4, 2007
Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

The funeral for Leora M. Dryden, 95, of Drummond-Ames, OK community will be 10 a.m. Thursday, March 8, 2007 at Garriott Road Church of Christ, 3601 West Garriott Road, Enid, OK. John Sheffield, minister of the Ames Church of Christ and Ray Rose, minister of the Garriott Road Church of Christ will officiate. Burial will be in Hennessey Cemetery. Arrangements are by Brown-Cummings Funeral Home, Enid.

She was born Dec. 15, 1911 on a farm eight miles west of Bison, OK to Emory E. and Ethel M. Baker Poindexter. She died Sunday evening, March 4, 2007 at Integris Bass Baptist Health Center, Enid.

She graduated from Ames High School in 1929 and received a certificate from Oklahoma A&M; College. She taught at a one-room school south of Meno, OK.

Leora married Bert Lloyd Dryden July 8, 1933 in Logan, Utah. They moved to Shattuck, OK in 1938. In 1941, her husband was called to active duty in the U.S. Army Air Corp. During World War II they lived in San Antonio, TX; Victoria, TX; McAllen, TX; Enid, OK; and Coffeyville, KS. They returned to the Poindexter family farm between Drummond and Ames in December 1945. They farmed and raised cattle until his death April 3, 1977. She continued the farming interest and also worked at Thorpe’s in downtown Enid for 14 years, where she then retired to the farm.

She was a member of the Ames Church of Christ. She served as a “Grey Lady” during World War II, making bandages, etc., for the war effort. She was a charter member of the American Legion Auxiliary Jaynes-Kennedy Post 340 at Ames for 54 years. She was the first historian for the Legion and Auxiliary at Ames. On Aug. 16, 1997 she received a certificate of appreciation for the preservation in keeping the memory of those veterans of World War II from Ames, who gave the supreme sacrifice in the service of their country. She was an honoree in the Ames Centennial Parade on Aug. 11, 2001.

Leora was a loving person and willingly gave of her time and means to help her family and others. She adored her eight grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Surviving are her two daughters, Patricia C. Monsee of Enid, and Utahna J. “Tony” and her husband Donnie “Joe” Taylor of Drummond. Also her sister, Alita Winifred Tillman of Plano, TX; a brother-in-law, Ray E. Dryden and a sister-in-law, Clara Marie Gumz, both of Stillwater.

Her grandchildren are Kim and husband Tom VanWinkle of Fayetteville, AR; Kelly and husband David Bloom of Highlands Ranch, CO; Kirk and wife Paula Taylor of Haslet, TX; Chuck and wife Shari Monsees of Breckinridge, OK; Kevin and wife Connie Monsees of Highlands Ranch, CO; Scott and wife Missy Taylor of Roanoke, TX; Traci and husband Tom Rush of Enid; and Kyle Monsees of Denver, CO.

Leora’s great-grandchildren are: Blake Taylor of Stillwater, OK; Logan Rae VanWinkle of Boulder, CO; Zach Taylor of Lubbock, TX; Jerrod Monsees and Casey Monsees of Abilene, TX; Courtney Taylor of Roanoke, TX; Caren Monsees of Highlands Ranch, CO; Charlie Jo Taylor of North Richland Hills, TX; Kota Turnham of Enid; Tyler Bloom of Highlands Ranch, CO; Steven Taylor of Haslet, TX; Alec Monsees of Breckinridge, OK; Dana Taylor of Haslet, TX; Mason Monsees of Breckinridge, OK; Noah Coppock of Enid; Landon Monsees of Breckinridge, OK; and Laekin Skye Ruch of Enid.

Leora had numerous nieces and nephews, caring relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband of 43 years, Bert, and her son-in-law, Charles W. Monsees of Enid.

In place of flowers, memorials may be made through the funeral home to In Search of the Lord’s Way; High Plains Children’s Home; Westview Boys’ Home; Ames American Legion Post 340; or a charity of your choice.

Condolences may be made online at www.brown-cummings.com. (Paid Obit 3-7-1)