Barbara Sue Tunnell (Edmunds)

Barbara Sue Edmunds Tunnell was born November 11, 1940 in Wilburton, OK and passed away August 18, 2020. She was the youngest of seven children. Sue proudly referred to herself as a genuine coal miner’s daughter and fondly recalled spending as much of her childhood as possible up in a tree reading a book.

Sue graduated from Wilburton High School in 1958 with many achievements. She attended Eastern Oklahoma State College, and in 1959 she met and married Joe Tunnell. They continued their education at East Central University in Ada, OK. Joe coached various sports and Sue taught elementary school in Ada, Davis, Dover and McAlester. Sue and Joe settled in Pauls Valley in 1976 with their sons Bart and Bates.

Sue and Joe were happily married for twenty-four years, until his passing in 1984. Sue had many happy years raising her sons and spending time with her “pride and joy” granddaughters Amanda and Ariel. Sue’s love of teaching and literature led her to complete a Master’s Degree in Library Education. She met Bill Cummings and he became her companion for twenty-seven years until his death in 2012.

Sue loved living in Pauls Valley. She treasured her close friendships at Jackson Elementary and all the children who passed through her classroom. Teaching children to read was her greatest joy and she was proud of every child she taught. Sue also loved cooking for others, sharing family recipes and making big holiday meals. She will be remembered for her tremendous love of reading, vast collection of music, and most of all, her adoration of children.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Herb and Maud Edmunds; brothers Tom Edmunds, Bates Edmunds and Keith Edmunds; her sisters, Jean Edmunds Anderson and Betty Edmunds Dillion; her husband, Joe Tunnell and her later companion Bill Cummings.

Sue is survived by her immediate family: Bart and Penny Tunnell of Norman, OK, Bates Tunnell, and granddaughters Amanda Tunnell and Ariel Tunnell both of Los Angeles, CA. She is also survived by her sister Wanda Edmunds Burger of Tulsa, OK, her dear sister-in-law Billie White of Wilburton, OK and one beloved nephew and many adored nieces.

The family would like to thank the many caregivers that looked after Sue the past seven years at Autumn Leaves in Edmond, Arbor House Reminisce and Medical Park West in Norman.

In honor of Sue’s life and legacy, the family requests that those who knew Sue donate to one of the following organizations:

Nora Sparks Warren Library- https://paulsvalley.okpls.org/

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library https://imaginationlibrary.com