Ella Mae Tyrkalo

Ella Mae Tyrkalo died peacefully on Friday, December 27, 2024, at the age of 82. She was born on August 14, 1942 in Texola, Oklahoma to Elbert C. Parker and Sarah Boone Parker. Ella Mae was the youngest of six children: Edwin Parker, Doyle Parker, Murleen Hill, Lois Lavern Parker, and Joyce Lovelady. She is survived by her husband, Paul Tyrkalo; daughter, Julie Sollars Nolan; sister, Murleen Hill; nephew, Jonathan Richard D. Hill; nieces, including Linda Kissack and Donna Morgan; nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Ella Mae grew up in a farming community. As a young child, she and her siblings picked cotton in the Oklahoma cotton fields where she learned the value of hard work and dedication. Ella Mae excelled in various areas in school and graduated from high school in Eric, Oklahoma. She was a band majorette and played women’s basketball in high school. It was here where Ella Mae discovered her talent for music and singing, and the local Mason’s organization awarded her a scholarship for her singing and vocal abilities. Music and singing soprano were a lifelong passion of hers. She performed for countless choirs, church functions, weddings and funerals over the years where she developed a well-known reputation in some circles for her singing ability. Ella Mae pursued formal business training outside of high school where she developed excellent office and organizational skills. This led her to a career as an Executive Assistant in the oil and gas industry.

Ella Mae and her first husband, Ervin Sollars (now deceased), moved to Denver, Colorado in the 1960’s. They thrived in service to church, family and community. Ella Mae gave birth to their son, Scotty Sollars, who died shortly thereafter. She and Ervin leaned on their faith and were blessed with their daughter, Julie Sollars Nolan, who was Ella Mae’s pride and joy.

In 1980, Ella Mae moved to Houston, Texas, to take a position at Aramco Services Company where she eventually retired. While living in Houston and attending the Feast of Tabernacles in Canada, she met her husband, Paul Tyrkalo.

Ella Mae’s service and love of God and family knew no bounds. Over the years, she worked tirelessly to serve the Church and God’s people. She was ordained a deaconess in the Church on the Feast of Trumpets, September 29, 1971. Faith, family, and friends were her life.

A funeral service for Ella will be held Thursday, January 2, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX. with a reception to follow at the funeral home. A committal service will occur Thursday, January 2, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Woodlawn Memory Gardens, 1101 Antoine Dr, Houston, TX 77055.