Avanell Forrester

She is survived by her daughter Jody Vining and husband Charles; Son, Jimmy Forrester; Grandchildren, Scott Vining and wife Rose, Mike Vining and wife Linda, and Brandy Binkley; Great-grandchildren, Samantha Melomo, Sierra Melomo, and Sam Binkley.

Ava is preceded in death by her parents, Tallie and Josephine Walton, her siblings, Virgil Walton, Zola Heck, Zona Walton, Violet Crabtree, and Marvin Walton, nephew Kenneth Walton, and her daughter, Carmen Forrester Miller.

Ava was born on a cotton farm three miles from Wanette, OK. On April 7, 1918. God, family, and friends were always the most important things in her life.

At an early age, Ava and her twin sisters Zola and Zona sang on the radio in Shawnee as “The Walton Trio.” Ava learned to play dominos from her father by the light of a coal oil lamp and that began her life-long love of playing games; Gin Rummy, Rook, Rummikub… you name it. Ava loved to win and would play all night if you’d let her. She was still playing Skip-Bo with anyone that would play with her up until just a week before she went to be with the Lord.

She loved to laugh, dance, sew quilts and curtains, drive much too fast, tell stories, exercise, care for other people, and made the most delicious Aunt Bills Candy you ever tasted. She also made every kind of pie with a homemade crust that could not be duplicated.

Ava was always ready to work and try anything. She discovered that she had a particular knack for selling. At one point in her career, she sold products for Fuller Brush Company and loved to tell the story about how she once sold a comb to a bald man!

Perhaps her most famous occupation was that of “Rosie the Riveter” at Douglas Aircraft, now Tinker Air Force Base, during World War II where she drilled the rivets on the left wing of the C-47 cargo transport aircraft. On Ava’s 105th birthday Governor Stitt declared April 7, 2023 Ava Forrester Day in the state of Oklahoma.

Ava’s family would like to sincerely thank her incredible friends, the wonderful staff members at Lyndale Senior Living Center, and Traditions Hospice. There are no words to truly express the amazing love and kindness you always went out of your way to show her. God Bless You.

A visitation for Avanell will be held Monday, October 2, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 13313 North Kelley, Oklahoma City, OK 73131. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Memorial Park Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to a cancer foundation of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemorialParkOKC.com for the Forrester family.