Cramberg, Lela L.'s Obituary
Obituary for Lela Lavada Cramberg
Lela Lavada Cramberg, age 96, of Gore, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at St. Francis Hospital in Muskogee, Oklahoma, under the compassionate care of St. Francis Hospice.
Lela was born on November 9, 1929, in Wynona, Oklahoma, to Joseph and Nannie Vermillion. She was a proud graduate of Wynona High School and later attended Roberts Beauty College, beginning a lifelong career as a talented hairdresser. For over 40 years, Lela devoted herself to her craft, owning and operating her own salons for most of her career. She touched countless lives not only through her skill, but through her kindness, warmth, and the personal connections she built with her clients.
Lela married the love of her life, Ardon R. “Ray” Cramberg, at Sandusky Avenue Christian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1972. Together, they built a life rooted in faith, family, and service. Their shared devotion to their church was a cornerstone of their lives, including their time serving a large and vibrant Sunday school class in Tulsa. After retirement, they continued their ministry at First Christian Church in Sallisaw and settled on their beloved farm in Gore—a place they lovingly transformed into a beautiful haven from “rocks, trees, and hills.”
A woman of many talents, Lela was an exceptional seamstress who spent countless evenings creating clothing for her daughters. She was also an avid and accomplished bowler, competing in leagues for many years. Her love for gardening, flowers, and the land she shared with Ray brought her great joy, and her home was always filled with beauty and care.
Lela will be remembered as a woman of great faith, strength, and independence. She was stylish, creative, and enterprising, with a spunky spirit and a wonderful sense of humor. Above all, she was deeply devoted to her family. She was loving, caring, accepting, and fiercely protective of those she loved. To her family, she was everything a mother and grandmother should be—wise, compassionate, fun-loving, and a true blessing in their lives. She was, as many said, “the apple of Papa’s eye,” and her love story with Ray was one of deep devotion and partnership.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Nannie Vermillion; her beloved husband, Ardon R. “Ray” Cramberg; her step-son, Larry Cramberg; her brothers, Charles, Jesse, and Carl Vermillion; and her sisters, Nellie Martin, Ida Mae Whitaker, Addie Mae Sells, Marie Thomas, Bertha Walker, Viola Melton, and JoAnn Strickland.
She is survived by her daughters, Pamela Hough (Bob) and Nancy Hutchinson (Jim); her step-son, Gary Cramberg; her grandchildren, Justin Nading (Joy Brown), Jeremy Nading (Tedi Stevens), KristiAnne Russell (David), and Zachary Hough (Thanh); as well as four great-granddaughters and five great-grandsons. She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family across multiple generations who will cherish her memory.
Memorial gifts in Lela’s honor may be made to support the ministry of Cookson Hills Ministries at https://cooksonhills.org/donate or mailed to Cookson Hills, 60416 OK-10, Kansas, OK 74347. The family also encourages memorial contributions to a charity of your choice.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to those who provided such loving and compassionate care to Lela: Cornerstone Caregiving of Muskogee; the nurses, technicians, and hospitalists—especially Drs. Landers and Ndebbio—at St. Francis Hospital; and St. Francis Hospice, including Dr. Roybal.
Lela’s legacy of faith, love, strength, and beauty will live on in all who knew her. Her smile, her spirit, and her unwavering devotion to family will never be forgotten.
Please see the information below regarding her services on Wednesday April 22nd at 10:00am.
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