Jessalyn Eschberger

Jessalyn Tuttle Tarwater Eschberger was welcomed into heaven on Thursday, February 17, 2011. She was born in Commerce, Texas in 1921 to Jim and Hazel Tuttle. She moved to Midland when she was 5 years old where she resided for the majority of her life. Jessalyn was a 1939 graduate of Midland High School and continued her education at Texas Women’s College. In 1943 she married the love of her life, Tom Paul “Tar” Tarwater who adored her until his last days. She recently recounted her early years of their marriage as some of her favorite times. As a couple, they danced through 27 wonderful years of love and life together, until his death in 1970. Their family life was characterized by laughter, celebration and great friends.

Jessalyn was very active in the Junior League of Midland and was in the first provisional class. She was a founding member of the Midland Coterie Club and was an active member of the Rake and Spade Garden Club. She was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church, involved in a variety of activities over the years including, teaching Sunday School. Later in her life she married her long-time friend Lamar Eschberger. Throughout their marriage, they enjoyed time spent at Lake LBJ and international travel until his death in 1999.

She was a gracious lady who touched many and was loved by everyone who knew her. She will be remembered for her sharp wit, warm nature, creativity and glowing smile. Jessalyn was gentle and generous, youthful in spirit and adapted with humor and grace to wherever life took her. Her family and friends are so grateful for the many values she instilled in them and are beyond blessed to have had her in their lives.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Adelle Tarwater Dowling and her husband Paul, Deborah Tarwater Owen and her husband Steve, all of Midland and Jim Tuttle Tarwater of Santa Fe, New Mexico; her grandchildren: Paul Howard and his wife Rachel of Plano, Stephanie Howard Askins and her husband Cooper, of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Ryan Owen and his wife Ashley and Michael Owen and his wife Danielle, all of Midland; great grandchildren: Kylee Howard, Kaden Howard and Emrey Owen; and numerous extended family members. Pallbearers are Paul Howard, Ryan Owen, Michael Owen, Cooper Askins and Jim Dowling.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Bartha and the caring angels at Hospice Midland.