Gaynelle Lescher, a past resident of McAllister, Muskogee, Austin and Fairview, passed away Sunday, July 21, 2019 peacefully at her home at the age of 84. She was born to Leon J. and Adnah Blanche (Rike) Willis on March 21, 1935 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Adnah later married Warren McManus and they lovingly raised her for the rest of their lives. Gaynelle graduated Muskogee Central High School in 1953 and attended Oklahoma University in 1956 and was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. She was the “White Rose Queen” her sophomore year for Lambda Chi Alpha. Gaynelle married her high school sweetheart, Air Force Officer and fighter pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Oliver Lescher, Jr. on March 24, 1956 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She was a homemaker, loving wife and mother, who loved reading, cooking and most of all, her family. Gaynelle lived in Germany, France and Jordan and she loved traveling throughout Europe and the Middle East. After living abroad for decades, she and Charles accomplished their goal of visiting all the 50 United States. She was a member of the Creekwood United Methodist Church and the Celebration Sunday School Class in Fairview, Texas for the past 14 years and was an active member of the St. Johns United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas for 30 years.
Gaynelle is survived by her husband, Charles Lescher; son, Stephen Lescher and Lucretia Boland; her twin grandchildren and fellow OU attendees, Oliver Brooks Lescher and Emma Claire Lescher (also a Kappa Alpha Theta) and their mother, Leah Lescher. Additionally, she is survived by her siblings, Warren McManus, Jr. and wife, Daniella of Milan, Italy, Judith Pollock and husband, Patrick of Florida, Jerry Jorgenson and husband, George, of Houston, Texas, Dr. Ted Hine and wife, Sandy of Muskogee, Oklahoma; and nieces and nephews, Kevin, Meagan and Darby.
Gaynelle is preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Valerie Blanche Lescher.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 27, 2019 at Creekwood United Methodist Church, 261 Country Club Road, Allen, Texas. A graveside service will be held on Monday, July 29, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Greenhill Cemetery, 1500 North York Street, Muskogee, Oklahoma.