Obituary of Kathleen Tinsley

Kathleen Tinsley, age 96, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and formerly of Checotah, Oklahoma passed away on July 21, 2019.

Kathleen was born at her grandmother’s house in Mildred, Kansas on November 7, 1922.  She was the first of two children born to Carl Lester and Lulu (Keeton) McCollam. Kathleen grew up on a farm in Eastern Anderson County.  She attended a one room country school through the eighth grade. Kathleen then went to Blue Mound for high school, graduating with the class of 1940.  After high school she worked in the office of the Anderson County Treasurer. Kathleen enjoyed her work and worked in the courthouse until marrying George Robert Tinsley  on March 14, 1947 in Garnett. She loved her life as a homemaker, taking care of their home and two children gave her joy. They made their home in Garnett and Osawatomie before moving to Houston, Texas in 1957.  Following George’s retirement from the railroad in 1981, they moved to Whitney, Texas. In 2000 they moved to Checotah, Oklahoma, where Kathleen remained until moving to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma in 2017 to be near her son, Terry.  

Kathleen and George were able to enjoy traveling throughout the United States in their RV during their retirement years.  Some of their travels included New England, Alaska and California. They spent many summers in Creede, Colorado to escape the Texas heat.  In her later years Kathleen spent countless hours reading or solving crossword puzzles. She was blessed with a green thumb and that could be seen in her roses and the family garden.  

Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George on August 6, 2011;  her daughter, Colleen Gordy on January 2, 2012; and her brother, Larry McCollam.

She is survived by her son Terry Tinsley and wife, Lorraine, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; two grandchildren, Michael Tinsley and wife, Laura, and Jessica Tinsley; two step grandchildren, Jason Brobecker and wife, Dana, and Shellie Smith; five great grandchildren; and one nephew and three nieces.

Services for Kathleen will be held on Thursday, July 25, 2019, at 11:00 AM at Colony High Point Cowboy Church with Chaplain Lloyd Houk officiating. Burial will follow in the Colony Cemetery, Colony, Kansas. Condolences to the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.