Ovella Buckner Tumlinson

Ovella Buckner Tumlinson, 101, passed away Saturday, April 1. Ovella was born February 16, 1916 in Caldwell County to Ervin and Kate Necessary Buckner, the seventh child of 14 children. She had been a member of Gonzales Family Church. Ovella married Newton Tumlinson in Caldwell County.

Ovella was born and raised in Caldwell County. After marrying, she and Newton often moved where workers were needed in the South Texas Oil Fields. Ovella was a hard working woman, working in the fields picking and chopping cotton or working in the corn fields and having to rush in to prepare dinner for her family was simply part of her daily life, she never complained. Living and caring for her family with limited means was never a burden to Ovella, she always kept her family well fed and loved. She adored her family and cherished her many grandchildren and generations of great-grandchildren. Ovella was a sweet, loving and kind woman. Her Christian faith was undeniable as she walked through a life besieged by two world wars, the trials of the great depression, the Korean, Vietnam and Gulf wars and the wars on terror all the while joyful of God’s love and the opportunities to worship Him. As time might permit; Ovella enjoyed playing dominoes, quilting and helping in the garden. She was a firm but devoted mother as she obediently led her children close to the Lord. If she wasn’t nourishing their souls with the word of God then she was nourishing their bodies with her home cooking with memories of her corn patties or corn cakes and her magnificent fried chicken lingering still. Through her life she had experienced many pleasurable and sorrowful periods of time. Still at 101 years of age, her health declining and the hands that had worked the fields, fed her family and clasped together in countless prayers now withering away; her voice still had enough strength to nightly sing “How Great Thou Art” as she sang praises to God before lying down to sleep.

Ovella B Tumlinson is survived by her daughter, Elaine Turner of Harwood, sons, Thomas Tumlinson of Harwood, Robert Tumlinson and his wife Shirley of Lolita, sisters, Ferrel Roberts of San Marcos, Juanita Hodge of Lockhart, brother, C. C. Buckner of Center Point, brother-in-law, Glen Blisard of Elgin, grandchildren, Jimmy Turner (Traci), Judy Gibson (Terry), Michael Tumlinson (Brenda), Francene Payne (Gary), Sheryl Roberson (Rodney), Tina Schoellmann (Mark) and Gus Tumlinson (Melissa), 12 great-grandchildren, 5 step great-grandchildren, 11 great-greatgrandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, son and daughter-in-law, Clyde and Jerlene Tumlinson, daughter-in-law, Becky Tumlinson, 5 brothers and 5 sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 3, in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home with Pastor Jason Kelske officiating. Interment will follow in Harwood Cemetery. Pallbearers: Michael Tumlinson, Jimmy Turner, Derek Sembera, Bradley Gibson, Grant Turner and Terry Gibson. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Monday in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Harwood Community Center. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.