Lela Putney

Lela Marie Bunte Putney, 108, of Spartanburg, SC, died Wednesday, February 27, 2013, at Summit Hills Retirement Community. Born March 2, 1904, in St. Louis, MO, she was the daughter of the late Dr. Louis Edward and Lydia Marie Floreth Bunte, and wife of the late Elmore Martin Putney, Sr. Mrs. Putney was a homemaker, talented musician, and member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Spartanburg. She was a graduate of Central Weslyan College in Warrenton, MO and the Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Butler University, Indianapolis, IN, an 83 year member of Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity, founding member of the St. Louis SAI Alumnae Chapter, and a 66 year member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Jessie Marie Niedringhaus of St. Louis, MO; Mary Marjorie Fast and husband Douglas Ellis Fast, Sr. of Spartanburg, SC; son, Charles Louis Putney Sr. and wife Marilyn Hester Putney of Santa Fe, NM and Houston, TX; daughters-in-law, Patricia Putney of Buford, GA, and Connie Putney Hudson of Carmel, IN; grandchildren, Nancy Marie (Bill) Sikes, Mary Suzanne (Fess) Crockett, E. Martin Putney III, Paul D. (Bonny)Putney, Jennie Leigh (Steve) McDaniel, Clai Allyn (Janet) Putney, Charles Louis (Regina) Putney, Jr., Bayless Martin Putney, Douglas Ellis (Amanda) Fast, Jr. and DeAnna Marie Crowell; 26 great-grandchildren; and nephew, Charles R. Reid. She was predeceased by sons, Edward Allen Putney, Elmore Martin Putney, Jr., and John Philip Putney; granddaughter, Lela Elizabeth (Michael) MacArtor; brother, Louis F. (Rachel) Bunte; and son-in-law, Henry Frederick Niedringhaus III. Visitation will be 9:30-10:00 AM Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at Salem United Methodist Church, 1200 S. Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63131. Funeral services will follow at 10:00 AM with the Reverend Terri Swan and the Reverend J. C. Sowers officiating. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, St. Louis, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 626 Norwood Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302; or Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, 260 Fairwinds Road, Landrum, SC 29356. Local arrangements in St. Louis, MO will be handled by Lupton Chapel Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Lela Marie Bunte Putney please visit our Sympathy Store.