Margaret Loretta Culley's Obituary
Margaret Loretta Culley (Hall), beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great great-grandmother and friend, entered eternal life on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the age of 96. Her life was a testament to love, family, and the joy of creating lasting memories.
Margaret was born on March 11, 1929, on McFarlin Ranch in Inola, Oklahoma, to Carrel Milton and Bertie Melinda Hall. The eighth of ten children, her early years were spent on various ranches where her father worked, including cherished times at Robson Ranch in Catoosa. Margaret fondly recalled childhood adventures playing with paper dolls under her mother’s quilting frame, exploring coal pits, and swimming in the Illinois River with her siblings. Her love for her mother's homemade ice cream blossomed into a lifelong enjoyment of sweets.
Margaret's education began in a one-room schoolhouse at the age of four. As a teenager, she moved to Tulsa with her sister, Bobby Jean, to work and continue her studies, graduating from Central High School in 1946. Her first job was at the Brown Dunkin Department Store in downtown Tulsa.
It was at Buck's Sporting Goods that Margaret's life took a romantic turn. She noticed a handsome man working there, and David helped her with a pair of shoes. Their first date was ice skating, and soon after, on July 16, 1949, Margaret married the love of her life. David affectionately called Margaret his "Sugar Lump," and together they shared 54 beautiful years, building a legacy rich in love, family, and cherished traditions.
Margaret and David were blessed with three daughters Cynthia, Sandra, and Margene. The family resided in Tulsa until 1967 when they made their home on "The Hill" in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. As the matriarch of the family, Margaret created a home filled with warmth, love, and acceptance, a safe haven for all who entered. She encouraged her family to face challenges with courage, believe in themselves, and celebrated every success with them.
"Mom" or "Grandma", as she was affectionately known, was a constant support, not only to her children and grandchildren but also to their friends, providing rides to competitions, practices, and shopping trips. Her daughters fondly remember summer days spent at a swimming pool, followed by treats of candy bars and Cokes.
Margaret was a woman of remarkable creativity and talent. From painting ceramic holiday decorations and sweatshirts to crafting beautiful watercolor paintings and unique hand painted Christmas and birthday cards and baking elaborate cakes, her skills were boundless. She sewed everything from matching velvet outfits for her grandchildren to sorority formals, bridesmaid dresses, dance costumes, cheerleading uniforms and unforgettable Halloween creations, even tiny clothes for their baby dolls. Her daughters cherished the countless outfits she made, including matching pink corduroy robes for one special Christmas. Margaret was known for her ingenuity, often creating her own patterns from newspaper. A particularly treasured item was a sport coat she sewed for David for Christmas. During one holiday season, she and a friend even sewed and packaged Barbie doll clothes to sell.
Margaret and David instilled traditions that have been lovingly carried through generations. Every holiday was celebrated with joy, from treasured Easter baskets to Valentine's Day candy sacks, but Christmas held a special magic. Her Christmas tree was a unique masterpiece, adorned with ornaments she crafted and painted, alongside those made by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As her family grew, each person received a special ornament from Grandma and Pa every year, tokens that will forever be cherished. Christmas morning at Grandma and Pa’s house was a scene of joyous chaos, filled with the aroma of fresh-baked cinnamon rolls and the excited ripping of presents that stretched across the living room floor. The most beloved tradition was the Christmas stockings, lovingly sewn and filled to the brim each year, even as the family expanded with spouses and great-grandchildren.
Margaret loved to cook and hosted weekly family gatherings. Friday nights were for chili, and Sunday afternoons were for lunch after church. Her cheesy potatoes, rolls, chicken and dumplings, and fried okra were some of the family favorites. These meals were more than just food; they were a source of connection, laughter, and love that sustained her family.
Birthdays were always special occasions. Her family could count on her singing "Happy Birthday" over the phone on their special day, followed by a birthday dinner and a cake baked to their request.
The arrival of grandchildren brought Margaret the joyful title of "Grandma”. Her home became a hub for her grandchildren, a place filled with adventures, from playing dress-up and camping in the yard to enjoying the abundance of toys and, as one great-grandson recalled, always having balloons to play with. Summertime meant long days at Grandma's house and extra treats like ice cream sundaes.
While her family was her primary focus, Margaret also dedicated her time alongside David to teaching Sunday school at the First Christian Church for many years. Later, she became the beloved school secretary at Lee Elementary from 1987 to 1995, where she touched the lives of countless students and staff.
Margaret was preceded in death by her loving husband David, her parents, her siblings Vester, Velma, Chester, Carrel Elton, Jane, Theresia, Bobby Jean, Betty Ann, and Yvonne, and her great-grandson Bennett.
She is survived by her daughter Cynthia Culley; her granddaughter Tiffany and her husband Troy, and their son, great-grandson Caleb and his wife Hannah, and great-great-grandson Hudson; grandson Zachary and his wife Jamie, and their daughter, great-granddaughter Ella Kate; her grandson Nathan and his wife Abigail, and their children, great-grandson Camden, great-granddaughter Jubilee, and great-grandson Braverman; her daughter Sandra Harmon and her husband Chris; her grandson Jonathan and his wife Jennifer, and their children, great-granddaughter Audrey and great-grandson Evan; her grandson David and his wife Hillary; and her daughter Margene Payne and her husband Jeff; her granddaughter Natalie and her husband Kory, and their children, great-granddaughter Tessa and great-grandson Kaden; her grandson Ryan and his wife Hannah, and their daughters, great-granddaughters Reese, Arlie and Hazel, as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Margaret, known by many names – Mom, Grandma, Grams, Grandma Great, Great YaYa – enriched the lives of all who knew her through her acts of service, her boundless love, and her unwavering support. She was a remarkable woman who created a legacy of love, generosity, and care that will continue to inspire generations to come.
Margaret Loretta Culley will be laid to rest at Fort Gibson National Cemetery, reunited with her beloved David.
Visitation will be held 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Floral Haven Funeral Home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
A Celebration of Life service will be held 10:00 AM, Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel.
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