Bonnie Geraldine Tyler

A celebration of life for Bonnie G. Tyler will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at Christ Church, Grove, OK. Burial will follow the service at Glen Abby Cemetery, Miami. Bonnie passed away Friday, February 28, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She was 96 years old. Bonnie was born in Welty, OK, on January 27, 1918, to Harvey and Gladys (McKenzie) Vanderslice. Her father passed away early in her life and her stepfather H.B. Billings, along with her mother raised her and her four brothers. She lived out her youth in this small rural Oklahoma community attending a one room schoolhouse and then graduated from Paden High School in 1937. It was in high school she met her future husband Harlen Lloyd Tyler. Harlen joined the Navy, and it wasn’t long after that they were married on February 14, 1941. Being a sailor’s wife meant living over seas in Guam, Hawaii, and both east and west coasts. After 22 years in the Navy he retired and they eventually made their way back to Oklahoma. In 1966 they settled in Miami with their seven children. Bonnie at age 48, chose a career working in the food industry. She worked for NEO A&M College for 39 years when she finally officially retired at age 88; she was the oldest state employee on the payroll. She liked nothing better than being at work around her friends and the students. Bonnie’s true calling was being a mother to her seven children. Life was busy with so many, but each of them were loved and cared for, every need met. Her Godly spirit always gave them direction and her love was unconditional. Bonnie loved to work in her garden, enjoyed canning and making her blue ribbon salsa, which had quite a reputation for being some of the best! Bonnie’s grandchildren and great grandchildren brought her so much joy and they loved her. Each has cherished memories of time spent with her. They all made her life more worth living. Bonnie loved the Lord and her actions reflected that love. She was a member of First Assembly of God Church in Miami and then later Christ Church in Grove. She loved being a part of those believers and sharing her faith and growing in faith with them. For the last three years Bonnie was a resident of The Brookfield in Claremore. While there she was surrounded by sweet and caring caregivers and new found friends who she loved and they loved her. Bonnie was one of a kind, finding the good in all things and you were truly blessed if you had the chance to know her. Those who survive her include her children: Bill Tyler (Debbie) Houston, TX, Phyllis Hess, Claremore, OK, Helen Stratton (Mike) Owasso, OK, John Tyler (Robyn) Claremore, OK, Dixie Smalley, Denton, TX . Grandchildren: Tisha Tyler Marici (Mike) Pearland TX, Tiffani Tyler Leavitt (Mark) San Antonio TX, Tyler Tanner (Denise) Sachse TX, John Tanner, Claremore, OK, Ryan Tanner, Portland, OR, Bonnie Hess, Stillwater, OK, Chris Stratton (Robin), Owasso, OK, David Stratton (Cassie) Tulsa , OK, Zach Tyler, Tulsa, OK, Nick Tyler Claremore, OK, Joe Tyler, Claremore, OK, Sarah Patti Smalley, Denton TX. Great Grandchildren: Jackson Marici, Emma Leavitt, Ava Rose and Harrison Tanner, Rylee Stratton, Scarlett and Olivia Stratton. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harlen Tyler, two daughters, Beauanna Sue Tyler and Patti Williams, parents Gladys and HB Billings and Harvey Vanderslice, four brothers, Ike Vanderslice, Lynn Vanderslice, Perry Vanderslice and J.L. Billings. Donations may be made to the Christ Church Building Fund. Services are in the care of Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Miami. Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Mrs. Tyler’s Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.

Bonnie Geraldine Tyler

January 27, 1918 - February 28, 2014