Ulele D Stinchcomb

Ulele “Lea” Dolores Rouse was born December 2nd,1928, to Granville “Tink” and Mae Rouse. She was the third of four daughters, all of whom have preceded her in death. Lea grew up on her parents’ land and attended Colcord High School –home of the Hornets– where she met the love of her life, Ray Stinchcomb, during their freshman year in 1942. Lea and Ray were born just nine days apart and shared a special bond from the beginning. In 1944, shortly after their 16th birthdays, Ray took her on their first date. She graduated in 1946, and after a few years they married in 1951.

She worked as a seamstress in Siloam Springs, Arkansas and carried a lifelong love of sewing. Over the years, her creative spirit flourished and she later found joy in painting. Ray bought her her first car, a 1961 Ford Thunder Bird with a 390 as her first car after getting her license in 1962. Together they raised two sons, Dwight & David. Ray’s career took them to many places– Biloxi, Mississippi; St. Louis, Missouri; Tulsa & Stillwater, Oklahoma; before eventually settling down in Catoosa, Oklahoma for retirement.

Their golden years were filled with travel and adventure as members of a GMC motorhome club. They also hosted annual family reunions at the Stinchcomb “Weak-End” cabin on the Illinois Rivers, events filled with laughter, stories and memories that no one ever wanted to miss. Ray and Lea’s partnership was a beautiful testament to lasting love. Despite the ups and downs, and a lot of Ray’s shenanigans, they remained deeply devoted to one another. Someone once quipped that they had plenty of separate activities, but they spent so much time together. They were a great team, supporting each other through every season of life and aging with grace and mutual care. Their marriage was an enduring example of faith, love, and loyalty.

Lea will always be remembered for her sweet and gentle spirit. She had a way of making everyone feel like the most important person in the room. Her kindness, faithfulness, and comforting presence touched all who knew her. Whether it was lending a hand, offering a listening ear, or sending a pan of warm rolls to someone under the weather. Lea was a devoted Christian woman whose quiet faith was evident in the way she lived; always serving others with grace, humility and compassion. She delighted in time spent with her grandchildren and great-grand children. Her legacy of love lives on through them.

Lea is survived by her sons, Dwight Stinchomb and wife Robyn of Tontitown, Arkansas, and David Stinchomb and wife Debbie of Catoosa, Oklahoma; grandchildren: Amber Berry and James Epperson of Tulsa, Jesi and Mike McGhee of Catoosa, Caitlin and Alex Bolmgren of Stilwell, and Garrett Stinchcomb of Fayetteville, Arkansas; and her great-grandchildren: Lauren, Lia, Raylea, Owen, and Charlie.

A Visitation will be held Friday, July 25, 2025, at Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home in Siloam Springs from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Chapel at 10:00am. Pastor John Mayhue will officiate the service with burial being conducted at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Siloam Springs.

The arrangements were entrusted to Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home of Siloam Springs, AR.