Valla Rae Hartley

Val was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother and will be deeply missed by her family and friends. She is survived by her daughters, Sherri Lynn Searcy and her husband, Richard, and Cheryl Anne Bennett; her sons, Steve Bennett and John P. Kuhn and his wife Joanne; her granddaughters, Rachel, Shayna, and Allison; her grandsons Clayton and John; her great granddaughters, Shanti, Sydney and Zaily Rae; her great grandsons, Tristan, Noah, London, Shane and Alex; and her great-great grandson Roman; and, her sister, Donna Kay Rushing. Val’s extended family also includes cherished nieces, nephews, grand-niece, and grand-nephews and their families in Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Austin, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Eddie Lee Courtney, her sisters, Twila Faye Lickliter and Sondra Gay Powell and her son, Terry Bennett. Being the strong woman that she was, she outlived three husbands: Jack C. Bennett, Ed Kuhn, and Robert Hartley.

Val loved the ocean, cooking, and, her family. After losing the father of four of her children at a very young age, with great inner strength and determination, she worked hard and raised herself up to the top of her field in Real Estate, becoming a Broker and owner of River Park Brokerage in Napa, California, and, after moving back to Oklahoma City, continued for decades as an agent and property manager, continuing working until her last days. Those who knew her best, knew her to be kind-hearted, thoughtful, generous, and loving, and as tough as the world required her to be at the same time. Family was everything to her, as she was their foundation stone. A shining example of unconditional love and acceptance, you had no doubt that she loved you and, she knew we all loved her. Always dependable and there when needed, we will miss her wisdom, bright light, sparkling eyes, and generous heart.

A private memorial gathering will be held in Oklahoma City at a date and time not yet determined.