Marcella Karen (Lee) Hartley was born, the youngest of 9 children, on September 25, 1940 in Arnett, Oklahoma to Blanche Ruth (Nixon) Lee and Fred Elmer Lee. She passed away at her home in Cheyenne, Oklahoma, surrounded by her family on Monday, December 8th, 2025 at the age of 85 years, 2 months, and 13 days.

Marcella grew up on a farm at Harmon, Oklahoma, where she learned the normal chores of living on a farm. Being the youngest sibling, she had lots of encouragement from her older siblings. She also grew up with her nieces and nephews because of age similarity.

Her teenage years, the family moved to Vici, which allowed her to participate in more activities such as basketball, softball, band and choir in school. Her parents and family enjoyed music, dancing, and going to the Arnett dances where she learned to dance. There she met Harvie Hartley, who also loved music and dancing. They were always complimented on being the smoothest dancers. Marcella graduated in May 1958 at Vici, Oklahoma. Soon after Marcella and Harvie were married on June 7, 1958 at Reydon, Oklahoma by Rev. Heard in the Baptist Parsonage. To this union, they were blessed with 3 children, Laverne, Ladonna, and Brenda.

Marcella was very devoted to her family. Always doing what needed to be done. She always had 3 meals a day on the table, a clean house, sewed many of her childrens clothes making sure everyone had what they needed. She drove a wheat truck on wheat harvest and was secretary for farm auctions, which Harvie and Charlie auctioneered.

Towards the late 1970's, she began working outside of the home, such as selling Avon, being assistant post master at Reydon, cooking at Cheyenne Nursing Home, and working at several grocery stores, which she received employee of the year award.

Around this time she enjoyed playing outsiders volleyball with her children and winning many trophy's. In 1980 she became a grandmother, with several grandchildren to follow, which she adored very much! In the early 1990's, after neck surgery, Marcella was paralyzed from the neck down. Doctors told her she would never walk again. Through many prayers, her faith in God, and her family's determination, she learned to walk, drive, and care for herself all over again.

During her later years she could be found watching and listening to music video's on her phone, watching rodeo's on the television, playing Wahoo and cards with family, almost being unbeatable. Marcella was a member of the Reydon Community Church and attended faithfully until her health prevented her from going, but continued watching services by phone. During her lifetime, many children looked up to her as a motherly figure, and if you knew her you were loved like you belonged.

Marcell was preceded in death by her parents; the father of her children, A. Harve Hartley; 1 infant grandson, Shelby Laverne Hartley; all 8 of her siblings, Elmer Lee, Floyd Lee, Grover Lee, Walter Lee, Esther Marshall, Pauline Salisbury, Faye Patterson, an infant sister, Elva Dean Lee.

Marcella is survived by her 3 children, Laverne and Fredricka Hartley, Reydon, OK, Ladonna and Dennis Plemons, Sweetwater, OK, and Brenda Hartley, Reydon, OK; 11 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; 10 great great grandchildren; and 2 great grandchildren on the way; 2 special friends, Linda White and Wanda Parker as well as a host of nieces, nephew, other relatives and friends.