Ola Louise (Smith) Westmoreland, 86, a former Sacramento country singer who entertained rowdy crowds at a Del Paso Heights dance hall before opening for recording music legends, passed away on Sunday, May 26, 2013 in Los Osos, Calif, of lung cancer.
She was born on Monday, December 20, 1926, in Benson, Arizona, where she became Rodeo Queen of Winslow.
Ola was raised in poverty but built a music career with hard work and grit. She settled in Sacramento in 1958 and waited tables at the El Rancho Hotel in West Sacramento before marrying Paul Westmoreland, a singing cowboy who wrote a 1945 Western swing hit, "Detour."
In 1969, Ola signed on with Kapp Records, where she had several Number One hits, "Don't Promise Anything", "The Bridge on the Truckee River", and "El Gato". She opened shows for Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Slim Whitman, Marty Robbins, Donna Fargo and Liz Anderson, just to name a few.
At age 75, Ola became second runner up in the 13th Annual Ms. Senior Arizona Pageant. She also invented the Rackola Cooking Rack. Although her love for country music was her passion, her love for Jesus became her life. She was a prayer warrior, highly loved in her church and community.
She was born on Monday, December 20, 1926, in Benson, Arizona, where she became Rodeo Queen of Winslow.
Ola was raised in poverty but built a music career with hard work and grit. She settled in Sacramento in 1958 and waited tables at the El Rancho Hotel in West Sacramento before marrying Paul Westmoreland, a singing cowboy who wrote a 1945 Western swing hit, "Detour."
In 1969, Ola signed on with Kapp Records, where she had several Number One hits, "Don't Promise Anything", "The Bridge on the Truckee River", and "El Gato". She opened shows for Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Slim Whitman, Marty Robbins, Donna Fargo and Liz Anderson, just to name a few.
At age 75, Ola became second runner up in the 13th Annual Ms. Senior Arizona Pageant. She also invented the Rackola Cooking Rack. Although her love for country music was her passion, her love for Jesus became her life. She was a prayer warrior, highly loved in her church and community.
Ola Louise (Smith) Westmoreland, 86, a former Sacramento country singer who entertained rowdy crowds at a Del Paso Heights dance hall before opening for recording music legends, passed away on Sunday, May 26, 2013 in Los Osos, Calif, of lung cancer.
She was born on Monday, December 20, 1926, in Benson, Arizona, where she became Rodeo Queen of Winslow.
Ola was raised in poverty but built a music career with hard work and grit. She settled in Sacramento in 1958 and waited tables at the El Rancho Hotel in West Sacramento before marrying Paul Westmoreland, a singing cowboy who wrote a 1945 Western swing hit, "Detour."
In 1969, Ola signed on with Kapp Records, where she had several Number One hits, "Don't Promise Anything", "The Bridge on the Truckee River", and "El Gato". She opened shows for Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Slim Whitman, Marty Robbins, Donna Fargo and Liz Anderson, just to name a few.
At age 75, Ola became second runner up in the 13th Annual Ms. Senior Arizona Pageant. She also invented the Rackola Cooking Rack. Although her love for country music was her passion, her love for Jesus became her life. She was a prayer warrior, highly loved in her church and community.
She was born on Monday, December 20, 1926, in Benson, Arizona, where she became Rodeo Queen of Winslow.
Ola was raised in poverty but built a music career with hard work and grit. She settled in Sacramento in 1958 and waited tables at the El Rancho Hotel in West Sacramento before marrying Paul Westmoreland, a singing cowboy who wrote a 1945 Western swing hit, "Detour."
In 1969, Ola signed on with Kapp Records, where she had several Number One hits, "Don't Promise Anything", "The Bridge on the Truckee River", and "El Gato". She opened shows for Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Slim Whitman, Marty Robbins, Donna Fargo and Liz Anderson, just to name a few.
At age 75, Ola became second runner up in the 13th Annual Ms. Senior Arizona Pageant. She also invented the Rackola Cooking Rack. Although her love for country music was her passion, her love for Jesus became her life. She was a prayer warrior, highly loved in her church and community.
Inscription
In the arms of Jesus
Family Members
See more Westmoreland or Smith memorials in:
- Los Osos Valley Memorial Park Westmoreland or Smith
- Los Osos Westmoreland or Smith
- San Luis Obispo County Westmoreland or Smith
- California Westmoreland or Smith
- USA Westmoreland or Smith
- Find a Grave Westmoreland or Smith
