Tula Mae (Paddock) Pinkard
January 24, 1916 — September 5, 2011
Tula Mae Pinkard, 95, beloved sister and aunt, died on Monday, September 5, 2011, in Sweetwater, Texas as a result of a massive stroke suffered on August 7, 2011. She was born on January 24, 1916 in Rosebud, Texas and lived much of her life in Sweetwater. On August 31, 1941 she married Harl W. Pinkard in Fort Worth, Texas.
Tula and her husband owned a finance company in Sweetwater for many years before retiring to a ranch in Durant, Oklahoma where they lived for 30 years. In 2003 they returned to God’s country - Texas - to spend the rest of their years in Sweetwater among family and life-long friends, while cheering on the Sweetwater Mustangs and University of Texas Longhorns.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harl, her parents, two brothers and one sister. She is survived by a sister, Beth Densmore of Sweetwater, four nephews, eight nieces, numerous great nieces and great nephews, a stepdaughter and step-grandson. She also leaves many friends in both Texas and Oklahoma to remember her with great affection.
She was an inspiration to all who knew her. While she had no children of her own, she showered her love, affection and counsel on her nieces and nephews who adored their "Aunt Tootsie".
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 10:00 AM at First Baptist Church in Sweetwater with Rev. Phillip Thomas officiating, and Dr. Harvey Tingle assisting. Burial will follow at Sweetwater Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Cate-Spencer & Trent Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Waymon Sowell, Gene Elston, Glen Bedgood, Steve Maikell, Lee Roy Pettijohn and Wilton Hayes.
The family would like to say a special thanks to Dr. Luther Martin, the nursing staff at Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital and Hendricks Hospice for their care and concern for the entire family during this stressful time. The family also extends their special appreciation to her caregivers Tammy, Emma, Mary and Eva.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1258, Sweetwater, Texas 79556 or Hendrick Hospice, 1682 Hickory, Abilene, Texas 79601.
Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 P.M.