Cora Rose Tyler

Cora Rose Tyler, 95, of Tulsa, died March 4, 2015. Rose was born on April 20, 1919 to the late Cyrus F. and Jessie J. Stephenson of rural Turpin, Oklahoma. She was the youngest of 6 children.

Rose is survived by four children: Rose Ann (and husband, David) Dunson of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Richard H. Tyler of Winnebago, Wisconsin; Marcus “Sam” (and wife, Terry) Tyler of Des Allemands, LA; and Marjorie Flowers, Monroe, Michigan, as well as 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Also two nephews, Stanley Stephenson of McPherson, Kansas and Steve Brown of Amherst, Ohio. She is preceded in death by her parents, her 5 siblings (Clara Marine, Jewel Stephenson, Richard Stephenson, Leta Brown, Marjorie Stephenson) and her husband, Harvey A. Tyler.

A 1937 graduate of Turpin High School, Turpin, Oklahoma, Rose worked in the Liberal Woolworth Store, then left home to live in Dodge City, Kansas and work for Woolworth’s department store. It was there during World War II that she met the handsome Army Lieutenant who would become her husband. Harvey and Rose were married June 1, 1944. They were soon called into a life of ministry, serving Christian Churches for over 40 years in LaMarque, Texas; Welch, Oklahoma; Rolla, Missouri; Perryton, Texas; Knob Noster, Missouri; and Liberal, Kansas. Rose often served as church secretary during those years, raised a busy family and tirelessly performed the many jobs of a minister’s wife. Harvey preceded Rose in death in 1986. Rose continued on with the work of the church, finding great joy in helping in humble and quiet ways even into her 90s. In her later days she attended Highland Park Christian Church in Tulsa, and loved serving by putting together children’s curriculum supplies. She loved her friends in her Sunday School class.

An avid crossword enthusiast, Rose could solve even the most difficult of puzzles. During the years when she was able, she enjoyed playing dominoes or other games with her friends at church. She was passionate about organizing and sharing her family history of photographs and historical documents, leaving behind an accurate and rich heritage for her children and grandchildren.

Instead of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Highland Park Christian Church Children’s Ministry.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, March 10, at the Highland Park Christian Church with her son-in-law, David Dunson, officiating. A graveside burial service will take place on Wednesday at the Independence Cemetery, Turpin, Oklahoma, near the family farm where she was raised. Rose will be buried alongside her husband of 42 years, her parents and many of her siblings in the cemetery which is on land originally settled by her parents and grandparents in 1903.

Rose had been a resident of Heatheridge Assisted Living Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and was well loved by the staff and other residents. She has spent her final weeks at Leisure Village Nursing Center. Special thanks to the staff at both places for their many acts of kindness as they helped Rose maintain her independence for as long as possible, and provided comfort care during her final days. Special thanks, also, to St. John Hospice for their loving care to Rose, as well.