Louise Tanksley

Mrs. Tula Louise Tanksley, 90, of Mineola, Texas passed away on Friday, February 8 ^th , 2019 at Baylor University Hospital in Dallas, Texas surrounded by family and loved ones. Louise was born August 9, 1928, near Tyronza, Arkansas, to Edward Vernor and Florence Mealer Vernor. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, James Richard Tanksley; daughter, Paulette Tanksley Burrow; infant son, Richard Kevin Tanksley; infant daughter, Tula Elaine Tanksley; two grandsons, Christopher Burrow and Matthew Pierce; half brother, Paul Vernor; and half sister, Velma Vernor Conrad.

Louise is survived by her only son, Lowell Tanksley of Mineola, Texas; three daughters, Sandra Wortham (Larry) of Jonesboro, Jimmie Pierce (Dale) of Canton, Texas, and Lisa Kritzell (Elliott Mamann) of West Hills, California; and son in law, Clark Burrow; grandchildren, Julia Burrow Reilman, Aaron Burrow, Commander Donovan Brock Wortham (US Navy), Stacey Wortham Stockdale, Brett Wortham, Rachel Pierce Cox, Amanda Pierce Bacino, Kevin Kritzell, Katelyn Kritzell, and Nathan Tanksley. Louise was also a proud great grandmother of seventeen great grandchildren, twelve boys and seven girls.

Louise was a farm wife until her husband’s retirement from farming in both Craighead and Jackson Counties. They retired together on Toledo Bend Lake in Louisiana until Richard’s death. She then purchased a small farm near Mineola, Texas where she lived the remainder of her life.

Her children describe Louise as wise, hard working, and multi talented. She possessed rare inner beauty and an indomitable spirit. They would like to honor her with the following verses from Proverbs 31: ²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. ²⁶ She speaks wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue. ²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. ²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed. ³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise.

The family will receive guests from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at Emerson Funeral Home.

There will be a graveside service at 2:30 p.m. at Redd Cemetery near Cash on Tuesday, February 12, 2019. The pallbearers will be John Reilman, Aaron Burrow, Brett Wortham, Dr. Richie Stockdale, Mark Cox, and Nathan Tanksley.