Wally Louise Tackett

Our sweet and beautiful Wally, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law and friend, passed from this life on July 7, 2024. She died suddenly at home during the night at the age of 82. She was born on February 15, 1942 in New Braunfels, Texas in the house of her grandparents to David Gottlieb Schiwitz and Wally Dora Alves Schiwitz. She had three brothers, Edward, Donald, and Dennis.

Wally attended elementary school in Martindale, and finished her schooling in San Marcos where she graduated third in her class in 1960. After high school, she went to work for Conrads Seed Company in Martindale from 1960 to 1965 where her father was employed. Afterwards she worked for Dr. H. D. Kahler, an orthodontist in New Braunfels from 1965 to 1969. Then she moved to Austin and went to work at KOKE radio for a year. Her last job outside the home was at Lanier High School in the food service department, where she perfected her baking skills. They tried to convince her that she had a future as a manager, but they were turned down. She felt her place was in the home so she spent the rest of her life being the perfect wife, mother, and friend for her family.

During the time that her personality and appearance decorated the entrance at KOKE, she met James Tackett. They were married six months later at the Delwood Church of Christ on September 20, 1969. Their first year was spent in Austin, then moved to San Diego, California where James was stationed during his two years of active duty with the US Navy. Wally worked with a group from MIT, building the DSRV until James Michael was born just across the road from the San Diego Zoo at the Balboa Naval Hospital. They moved to Dayton, Ohio while James was in training for various computer systems at NCR. In 1973 they moved into their house on Bridgeport Drive in Austin, and they planted roots so deep that they stayed there until the present.

Every place they lived, if Wally could find a spot, flowers were soon sprouting and flourishing. She was proud of her flower beds, no matter where or how simple. She gained a reputation for the dishes she brought to pot-luck dinners at church and for the meals she hosted in her home after morning services at the Church of Christ in Hyde Park. Many people didn’t realize how good a seamstress she was. She cut and sewed several of the clothes she wore, although her fingers were twisted by arthritis in her later years. She made many outfits for babies and a good number of people sleep under the blankets she make. One jacket she made for James was so stunning that while he was working in a high-end men’s clothing store, the manager asked him to divulge where he had purchased the jacket. When told that Wally had made it, the manager asked to look at it closer, saying that his store could sell hundreds of jackets of that design and quality.

Pain was an ever-present companion caused by constant activity. Two knee replacements and one hip replacement could not hamper her from working in the yard or the flower beds at church. It was her heart that finally slowed her, but a pacemaker took care of that. She enjoyed a renewed energy but usually ended up tiring by midafternoon.

Wally’s real calling was that of an interviewer. She rarely talked about herself but engaged her guests with questions about themselves and their families. She would answer questions about herself and family, but quickly turned the conversation to the life, likes, and exploits of the person across the table from her. People enjoyed her company and cherished their time with her.

Wally is survived by her husband James William Tackett, their son James Michael Tackett and wife Jeanette Greenlee Tackett of Arlington, Texas; two granddaughters, Michelle Bogaard and husband Hans of Missouri City, Texas, and Emily Tackett of Arlington; brother-in-law Walter Fuston Tackett and wife Jane of Montgomery, Texas; and sister-in-law Mary Hallowell and husband Trace of Memphis, Tennessee. Many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbors and those at the Church of Christ in Hyde Park, feel a deep loss and miss her dearly.

A viewing and visitation will be held on July 11, 2024 at the North Lamar location of Cook Walden. Interment will be in the family section of Pinecrest Cemetery, Troup, Smith County, Texas. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to Central Texas Children’s Home, www.CTCH.org.