Wilma Laverne Tally was born August 11, 1924 in Tahlequah, OK to Charles W. Cooper and Nora (Allred) Cooper. Mom lived on a farm near Avant, OK along with her two brothers, Winford and Ellis; and one sister, Lois. She graduated from Avant High School in 1942 and attended college in Tahlequah. She worked for Phillip’s Petroleum in Bartlesville, OK.
Mom married Thomas William Tally in Independence, KS on December 17, 1945. In 1947, they moved to Fort Smith, AR where Dad was an order buyer at the Fort Smith Stockyards for over 50 years. Mom also worked at the Stockyards in one of the commission companies.
In 1959, they adopted two little boys. They named the boys, Thomas Keith and Phillip Dean. She was the greatest Mother on earth. She taught with her words and example all her life. Mom was a member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Fort Smith, AR. She went to be with her Lord Wednesday, June 17, 2020 in Roland, OK, at the age of 95, where she lived with her son, Phil and his wife Donna.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Tom; one son, Thomas Keith Tally; two brothers and sisters-in-law; Winford Cooper and his wife Mary Lou and Ellis Cooper and his wife Gayle; one sister and brother-in-law, Lois Beard and her husband Bob.
She is survived by one son, Phillip Dean Tally and his wife Donna; five granddaughters, Kimberly Konkle, Emily Tally, Lori Tarkington and her husband Rick, Leslie Pannell and her husband Jamie and Nakiah Donathan; six grandsons, Kent Tally, Landon Tally and his wife Bonnie, Zach Tally and his companion Jeffry Conta, Spencer Tally, Luke Donathan and Casey Donathan and his wife Kristi. She is also survived by several great grandchildren, great great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews, along with many friends who anxiously await the resurrection.
Home Going Celebration for Mom will be 11:00 AM Saturday, June 20, 2020 at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. Viewing will be 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Friday, June 19, 2020 with the family present from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Private Committal will be at the Fort Smith National Cemetery at a later date.
To send online condolences please visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com
