Lela Mae (Rodgers) Culpepper, age 105, of Fayetteville, Arkansas passed away Thursday, March 27, 2025. She was born May 20, 1919 in Glendale, Lincoln County, Arkansas to Lee and Callie (Raney) Rodgers. Lela finished high school in 1938 at Glendale, Arkansas and she received a bachelor's degree at the University of Arkansas- Monticello and was in the "Who's Who" organization. She also received her master's degree at the University of Arkansas- Fayetteville. She taught school at Crosses, Arkansas and then married Samuel David Culpepper. She lived at several places where her husband was stationed in the U.S. Army. The couple then moved to Little Rock, Arkansas after he left the army, where Lela taught school for 30 years. She has been a member of First Baptist Church of Springdale for many years. She Is preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Callie Rodgers; her husband, Samuel David Culpepper; her sisters, Jewel Anderson, Iris Clark, and a baby sister that died at birth; her brothers, Victor Earl Rodgers and Havis Rodgers.

She is Survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Sam and Gloria Culpepper of Springdale, Arkansas; granddaughter and son-in-law, Michelle and Tate Neyman; great granddaughter, Faith Escoe; grandson and daughter-in-law, David and Heather Culpepper; great grandson, Evan Culpepper.

A graveside service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at Bluff Cemetery, 900 N Shiloh St, Springdale, AR 72764, with Charlie Foster officiating. Memorial Funeral Home of Springdale will be handling the services. Memorial in her name can be made to Willard Walker Hospice Home,
325 E. Longview St. Fayetteville, AR 72703.