Leta Stark

Leta Phelps Stark died on Friday, March 17, 2023, in Lubbock, Texas at the age of 88.

Leta was born on December 28, 1934, in Nevada, MO to Russell and DeElla Phelps.  She married Don Stark in Raton, NM on September 11, 1955.  They raised five children: Cheri, Donell, Cathy, Larry and Wally.  Don and Leta were married 65 years.

Leta earned her bachelor’s degree from Eastern New Mexico University.  She taught high school English for over 40 years in many different locations including Bovina, TX, Red Lodge, MT, Hayden, CO, and several locations in Oklahoma including Keyes and Felt.  In addition to teaching English, she taught speech, and Spanish, and was also a certified librarian.  Leta was very involved in the schools where she taught and often served as class sponsor, pep club sponsor, yearbook sponsor and quiz bowl sponsor.  She also enjoyed directing school plays.

Leta was a life-long member of the Church of Christ and was very involved in her local congregations, teaching Bible classes and organizing activities and supporting her husband, Don, as he served as a preacher for many years in several locations.

Leta was known for her beautiful singing voice, and she loved to sing!  She was also an excellent cook and loved to cook for her family and for church and school groups.  She would sometimes cook Mexican food feasts for class parties and made up big batches of taco meat to sell at concession stands for senior trips!

Leta is preceded in death by Don, her parents, her brother Raymond Phelps, and sister Utha Clark, and two granddaughters, Alana Kosler and Bronwyn Fleming.  She is survived by her children, Cheri Fleming and husband, Kent Tooley of Keyes, OK, Donell Davis of Ft Cobb, OK, Cathy Cochran and husband, Joe of Lubbock, TX, Larry Stark and wife, Terri of Lubbock, TX, and Wally Stark and wife, Hannah of Oklahoma City, OK.  She is also survived by ten grandchildren: Matthew (Seth) Cochran, Coleman Fleming, Adrien Kosler, Jordan Cochran, Franklin Villegas, Aubrey Stuart, Aryn Withrow, Teal Dennis, Kendon Stark, Harper Stark and Axl Stark, and seven great grandchildren:  Misha, Everett, Nora, Callie and Mira Cochran, and Logan and Lydia Stuart.