Tessie Lou Corkins

Tessie L. Bickford Corkins died peacefully on December 17, 2015. She was born in Newcastle, Wyoming on August 3, 1942 to John and Doris Bickford. Tessie attended Ridgefield High School and then transferred to LaCenter. Following high school she lived in various cities in California and Hawaii only to meet her husband W. E. (Corky) Corkins in Bremerton.

Corky was career Navy. They lived at various naval bases up and down the West Coast. After his retirement they bought a motor home and travelled throughout the United States finally settling in Vancouver, Washington to be close to her family.

Tessie was a passionate fan of the Oakland Raiders. Sundays would find her at Prairie Tavern with the Oakland Raider Nation rooting on her team. She never missed a chance to talk with other football fans and invite them to come and join the group.

Tessie's final years were spent at Mallard Landing Assisted Living Community in Battle Ground. These years were among her happiest. She thought the food was wonderful, the staff friendly and helpful and with her abundant people skills she made many friends.

Tessie was preceded in death by her parents and her twin sister, Vivian, her husband, Corky and her dear niece, Wendy. She will be missed by her sisters, Cathy Boyer and Eva Mullan, her 7 nieces,her 17 great nieces and nephews and her 8 great-great nieces and nephews.

She was a kind and gentle person, a wonderful sister and good friend. She will be laid to rest wearing her best Raider's gear surrounded by the silver and black colors that meant so much to her.

Her Celebration of Life will be Saturday December 26, 2015 at 1:00 pm at Vancouver Funeral Chapel 110 E. 12th Vancouver, Washington. There will be a viewing Wednesday December 23, 2015 10:00 am-5:00 pm. The graveside service will be Monday December 28, 2015 at 11:00 am at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.