Rowena Tarpalechee

Rowena Tarpalechee, a resident of Okmulgee, passed away Monday, January 16, 2012 at the age of 62. She was born December 8, 1949 to Shawney, Sr. and Annie (Fulsom) Hardridge in Claremore, Oklahoma. On November 28, 1971, she married Edward M. Tarpalechee in Morris, Oklahoma. She was a member of the Crosstown Pentecostal Church in Okmulgee and a member of the UMW at the Big Cussetah Methodist Church in Morris. She was preceded in death by her parents, Shawney, Sr. and Annie Hardridge; brother, Lonnie Hardridge and niece, Cindy Watkins. Survivors include her husband, Edward M. Tarpalechee of the home; five children, Brian Tarpalechee of Morris, Eddy Tarpalechee, Shera Tarpalechee, Darin Tarpalechee and Jay Tarpalechee, all of Okmulgee; four sisters, Nellie Whitten of Anderson, S.C., Janice O’Shields and husband, Jerry of Kellyville, Susanna Grayson of Okmulgee and Linda Watkins and husband, Dale of Anderson, S.C.; one brother, Shawney Hardridge of Freemont, CA; six grandchildren, Layna, Trevor, Anthony, Trenton, Brian, Jr., and Tori Tarpalechee and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and other relatives. Visitation will be Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Shurden-Jackson Funeral Home in Okmulgee. Wake Services will be held Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Shurden-Jackson Funeral Home in Okmulgee. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 19, 2012 at the Big Cussetah Methodist Church in Morris with Reverend Newman Frank officiating. Burial will follow the service at the Tarpalechee Family Cemetery in Okmulgee under the direction of the Shurden-Jackson Funeral Home in Okmulgee. Pallbearers will Kirby Jennings, Chance Beasley, Nolan Grayson, Terry O’Shields, Cory Willis and Richard Morgan.