Obituary

Cora Lee Garrison Tarkenton of Plainview passed away peacefully on Nov. 21, 2013, at the age of 92. Cora Lee was a wise and caring mother, a special friend, whose love was such a blessing and her devotion knew no end. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 29, 2013, at Bartley Funeral Home Chapel in Plainview with Don Robertson officiating. Burial will follow at Parklawn Memorial Gardens under the direction of Bartley Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 29, 2013, at Bartley Funeral Home. Cora Lee was born on Aug. 20, 1921, in Van Alstyne, Texas, to Miles Elisha and Iva Jones (Greenway) Garrison. She was the third of 10 children. The Garrison family moved to Lubbock in 1932. She attended Lubbock schools and worked in the diet kitchen of St. Mary's Hospital. Cora Lee answered the country's call during World War II by joining the "Texas Bluebonnet Squadron" of the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). She underwent training in 1943 for the WAVES in New York City, then received further training as an aviation machinist in Norman, Okla., before finally being stationed at the U.S. Naval Station in Corpus Christi, Texas. While stationed in Corpus Christi, her assignment was to assemble and repair aircraft. Cora Lee was honored as Miss WAVE of 1944. Cora Lee married Charles Ray Tarkenton on Jan. 12, 1946, in Lubbock. They moved to Plainview in 1951 and were long-time members of College Heights Baptist Church. Cora Lee was a loving mother to three daughters and was well known for her sewing, fashion and interior design expertise. She loved spending time with family and enjoyed growing flowers in her garden each year, as well as boating and fishing with her family and friends. Her legacy will continue through her children, daughter Carey Clingan, son-in-law Jerry Clingan, granddaughter Melissa O'Connor and husband Larry, great-grandsons Kieffer and Carson, granddaughter Jennifer Gordon and husband John, great-granddaughter Celena, all of Topeka, Kan.; daughter Janet Reeves of Plainview, grandson John Reeves and wife Cheryl, great-grandchildren Makenzie and Connor, all of Lubbock; granddaughter Lacey Todd and husband James of Plainview; and daughter Nicki Cates. She is also survived by her brothers, Miles Garrison and wife Lois of Kearney, Neb., Jeff Garrison and wife Jane of Plano, Rusty Garrison and wife Rosene of Lubbock, Truitt Garrison and wife Joyce of Granbury, and her sister Margaret Fears of Sun City, Ariz., as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Cora Lee was preceded in death by her parents; husband Charles Ray Tarkenton; son-in-law Charles Reeves; and her brothers James Clark, David, Delbert, Harold and Joe; and nieces and nephews. The family appreciates memorials in Cora Lee's honor to the Happy Feet Project, c/o Helen Hogge, 1616 Dallas St., Plainview, TX 79072, or Crisis Center of the Plains, 115 E. Seventh St., Plainview, TX 79072. The family would like to give a special thank you to Pam Johnson, Gloria Alston and Lisa Lopez who took special care of Cora Lee. Online condolences may be made at www.bartleyfuneralhome.net.