Vanita Puddington

Vanita Van Landingham Puddington, born August 1, 1927, in Fort Worth to Louis Roy and Mabel Marks Van Landingham, passed away on June 29, 2015, one month prior to her 88th birthday, at Prestonwood Rehabilitation Center in Plano.

Vanita graduated from The University of Texas in 1948, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She married Archer Puddington in June 1974, and they moved to Hide-A-Way Lake soon after. They lived at Hide-A-Way Lake for 40 years in three different homes, where they enjoyed playing golf, bridge and poker. They were also avid travelers, going to more than 40 countries. Vanita was very artistic and loved to paint, and friends admired her many unique creations. They enjoyed their many friends and wonderful years at Hide-A-Way Lake.

In January 2014, Vanita moved to Lakeview at Josey Ranch in Carrollton, and began making many new friends through exercise, bridge and poker.

Vanita was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Archer Puddington; her son, Dennis Avery; and her beloved dog, Buffy.

She is survived by her sister, Ann Sewell and husband Fred, of Dallas; daughter, Chris Dudley, of Houston; son, Louis Avery and wife Jacquie, of Sadler; son, Arch Puddington and wife Margaret, of New York City; son, John Puddington and wife Rose, of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Laine Havel and husband Logan, Mallory Dudley, Thomas Avery and Ryan Avery; as well as two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Sunday, July 12, 2015, from 2 to 3 p.m. at Tyler Memorial Funeral Home, 12053 State Highway 64 West, Tyler, with the funeral service to follow at 3 p.m. Services will conclude with interment in Tyler Memorial Park Cemetery.