Fern Rupp was born Fern Dale Holliman in Wilburn, Arkansas, on January 10, 1937 to Woodrow and Vivan (Payton) Holliman.

She was the fourth of six children born to a farmer and his wife. At around 16 years of age, her family moved to Anderson, Indiana, where her dad went to work for many years at the Guide Lamp Auto factory. Fern graduated from high school in Anderson in 1954.

In 1957, she married William ("Bill") Leonard. In 1960, her first child, John, was born in Anderson, and in 1962, the Leonard's moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where second child Paul was born. Through the next 20 years the family lived in Phoenix, Indiana, Arkansas and California. After 27 years of marriage, Bill Leonard died of cancer in 1984. In 1992 Fern married Dennis Rupp, whose wife had previously died of cancer in 1985. Fern and Dennis were married nearly 25 years before Dennis passed away in Jasper, Arkansas in 2017. Fern spent her last years living a happy life in the Newton County Nursing Home in Jasper, where she passed away on January 9, 2022 at nearly 85 years of age.

Fern was born again when she was about 20 years old, and lived her entire life dedicated to Christ, rearing up her children in the faith. She was a cheery personality, very friendly, and 100% geared toward the welfare of her husband and sons. She had a servant heart and lived out her faith on a daily basis. She demonstrated a true and vibrant Christianity that was a genuine testimony to Christ's goodness and salvation.

She was preceded in death by her first husband of 27 years, William (Bill) Leonard; a second husband of 25 years, Dennis Rupp; a sister Leola Taylor, and a grandson, James Leonard.

She is survived by 2 sisters: Lorene Reed and Ufanell Jones; her 2 sons: John Leonard (Leslie), and Paul Leonard (Anne); 2 of Dennis's children: Steve Rupp (Lynn), and Denise Rupp (Peter); 8 grandchildren: Natalie Leonard, Rebekah Garibay (Alex), Rachel Ghareeb (George), Joshua Leonard, Kelsey Jacobs (Dexter), Keriann Cox (Joe), Braden Rupp, and Frank Hinnenkamp; 6 great-grandchildren: Nora, Molly and Leo Ghareeb, Beckett and Vivian Jacobs, Everett Cox, and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family who dearly loved her and will truly miss her.

Visitation will be at 12 Noon followed by a funeral service at 1:00 PM both on Friday, January 14, 2022 at Red Oak Baptist Church in Harrison.  Pastor Gary Crawford will officiate.  Interment will take place on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Center Chapel Cemetery in Wilburn, Arkansas. Pallbearers will be family and friends.