Leota Carte

Leota Belle (Reed) Carte of Tahlequah, Oklahoma passed away on May 11, 2022, at the grand age of 101 with her loving family by her side. She was born on April 21, 1921, in Pryor, Oklahoma the daughter of James Arlie Reed and Minnie Alvie Reed (Cox).

Belle's passions were her faith, family, friends, and community. For awhile, she served as Secretary and a Sunday school teacher at Impact Church, formerly, known as the Pentecostal Holiness church in Westville. Some of her most cherished moments were when all of her family were gathered together. She had the honor of many titles such as mom, grandma and great great grandma. She loved her family with all of her heart and treasured every moment with them. Belle and Arnold lived on a farm, and would get up in the early morning hours with Ronnie joining them to go milk cows and take care of the chickens. Belle was your most elegant southern country girl you could meet and always left the house dressed in her best outfit. Belle married the love of her life, Arnold Paul Carte on December 16, 1939, in Fayetteville, AR, and from there they made many memories. Arnold and Belle were blessed with their four children; Jean, Ron, Patsy and Jerry. Belle wasn't your "typical" mom, she may have been stern, yet understanding and always made sure her children were cared for. Some of her children's greatest memories are being at home and their mother allowing them to roller skate in the kitchen and play basketball mainly because they didn't have a big enough sidewalk. Another amazing memory is when mother would grab a blanket and ask the kids to join her outside to lay out and look at the stars. Doing those things meant the world to Belle, but they were moments her children will never forget.

Anyone who knew miss Belle, knew she could do just about anything she put her mind to, but some of their favorite things was her cooking and baking, especially her apple pie, yeast rolls, biscuits with gravy, and the fresh heavenly scent of her homemade bread that filled the house and of course, her cinnamon rolls. She always wanted to treat others and you would almost never leave empty handed if she had a say. When she taught Sunday school, she loved to spoil the children by giving them a piece of candy. Belle loved getting to travel with her family going on many memorable vacations. She loved to sew clothing, make dolls and could upholster pretty much anything including a rocking chair she made for her granddaughter Paula which she still has. At the end of the day, Belle knew she had it all. She didn't need a ton of money or a ton of friends around all of the time, she had everything right there in little farm town America, Westville. Belle was the oldest member of Impact church and always showed up in her Sunday best. Nothing stopped her from giving the Lord thanks. She will be missed sorely by all she leaves behind.

She was preceded in death by her husband; Arnold, parents; James Arlie and Minnie Alvie Reed, brothers; James Reed, Dean Reed, sister; Joy Campbell, grandsons; Jeffery Maupins, and Steven Maupins.

She is survived by a loving family which includes; her children; Jean Maupins and husband John of Westville, OK, Ron Carte and wife Marie of Edmond, OK, Patsy Dunn and husband Bob of Tahlequah, OK, Jerry Carte and wife Rose of Westville, OK, grandchildren; Paula Brunner and her son Zac of Westville, Robin Vorel and daughter Lauren Owen of Edmond, Tony Carte and wife Edwina of Edmond, Tawnya Carro and husband Armando of Edmond, Tammy Skinner and husband Paul of Edmond, Melissa Snyder of Tahlequah, Robbie Snyder of Tahlequah, Nick Snyder and wife Annette of Tahlequah, Philip Carte and wife Theresa of Westville, Luke Carte and wife Krystle of Westville, Teresa Girdner and husband Robie of Tahlequah, twenty three great grandchildren and eleven great great grandchildren, numerous family and friends she leaves behind.

There will be an Interment the following day of the service, Monday May 16, 2022, at Westville City Cemetery with Audie Vaughan officiating.