Birth date: Oct 22, 1921 Death date: Feb 5, 2021
Thelma Louise Alexander Voglesong Tunnell Prior Born Saturday, October 22, 1921, at home in Dallas, Texas Died Friday, February 5, 2021 at daughter’s home in Fort Worth, Texas Louise Prior ~ of Grit and Grace Thelma Louise Alexan Read Obituary
I'm sensing the loss of a very dear, delightful person who was so good at keeping in touch with the expanding family. I know that her children and grandchildren's devotion to her made her final years enriched.
Louise being eight or nine years older than I, your mother was in many ways a role model for me. She knew all the current songs, had an admirable sense of fashion--aided, of course, by her mother's wonderful design skills.
We admired her high school year books and were pleased when she invited us and went to our church just as we went to her church when we visited.
I remember agreeing heartily with her that her Czerny exercise pieces for the piano were boring because they didn't have names. She was a wonderful pianist and played so we could dance.
In later years, I watched her give grace to motherhood--supporting her offspring and their varied interests. Cherie aren't you the one who did home decorating?
I know you had her support as you pursued your career aspirations.
We use to sneak into her room because she had wonderful smelling perfume and her dresses were exquisite. Her mother was a great designer of clothing and did smocking on the her girls dresses.
Aunt Louise
by Pam Broach Peck (niece)
How do I describe my favorite red-haired aunt?
The dancer. Aunt Louise loved to dance and she literally danced through life for 9 decades. She loved it all -- from ballroom to line dancing. And when she could no longer turn and spin, she enjoyed the music and watching others who still could every Thursday at the Plano Senior Center.
The hostess. Growing up, there were always big family gatherings whenever my family made the trek to Dallas, and of course, Aunt Louise was in the middle of it all! She was the whirlwind energy directing kitchen duties and clean up – whether at Grandmother Alexander’s house or her own home on Palisades Drive.
The matriarch. After Grandmother died, Aunt Louise assumed the mantle. She always kept up with our large and ever-expanding extended family. If you needed an address or phone number, you called Aunt Louise. And she always sent me a birthday card – for over 50 years!
Big hearted. Aunt Louise cared for the elderly – grandmother, Aunt Charlie, Uncle James and Aunt Martha. After she retired, she faithfully delivered Meals on Wheels to elderly shut-ins for some 35 years.
A patriot. Aunt Louise was always mindful of those who served in our military and the sacrifices they made for our nation. During World War II, she was a military wife. Later, when sons Butch and Robert Keith were enlisted and deployed to Vietnam, Aunt Louise wrote to each daily. After she retired, Aunt Louise worked as a volunteer at the Veteran’s Hospital once a week for some 30 years. In addition, Aunt Louise was an active member and officer of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary for over 65 years. When I stayed in her home, I discovered that she still prayed daily for our service members.
Devoted sister. Louise and little sister Lucille were inseparable growing up. Years later, after my parents retired in Plano, Aunt Louise frequently picked up Mom and took her to lunch for sister time while LB was at Rotary. After LB died, Aunt Louise faithfully visited Mom weekly on Thursday afternoons until she herself could no longer drive.
Full of spunk. After my parents moved to Highland Springs in 2013, I stayed with Aunt Louise whenever I went to Dallas. Aunt Louise was in her 90’s, but she still lived independently in her Plano home, drove, attended church weekly, and participated in Plano Senior Center activities. She was fun to talk to over breakfast and while eating Blue Bell ice cream before going to bed! Her memory regarding her childhood, family members and related stories was infallible, much like Grandmother Alexander’s.
Fiercely independent. The last several years of her life, Aunt Louise experienced medical setbacks requiring stays in the rehabilitation hospital. She tackled rehabilitation with the unwavering goal of returning to her home – which she did -- amazing therapists and nieces alike.
Funny. I am sure each of us can recall at least one funny quip made by Aunt Louise. On Aunt Louise’s 95th birthday, I was one of three nieces that spent the day with her. We went to the cemetery to visit our grandparents’ grave, then ate at her long-time favorite restaurant – Highland Park Cafeteria. We wrapped up with birthday cake in Lucille’s room at Highland Springs. On the way home, Aunt Louise commented that she’d had such fun that “Heaven will just have to wait.” And it did – a full four years.
Thank you Aunt Louise for enriching my life and the life of each one of us that you loved. Until we meet again, much love.
February, 2021
I REMEMBER
I remember my childhood Christmastimes. On Christmas morning I couldn’t wait to go to Grandmother’s for the Family Tree. I knew that Louise would have made doll clothes for my new doll. Receiving a new doll for Christmas went years beyond my knowledge of who left that doll! The clothes she made, not just one item, but a layette if I had received a baby doll, or a wardrobe for my Toni and so many more, made my Christmas. Those were doll clothes she made at night after working at the telephone company all day and those were treasures that I kept well into my teens. She made me feel special.
I remember when I was 11, the year after we moved to Hereford from Dallas. That began my annual summer visits to Grandmother’s. Louise called and invited me to come spend the night. My first ‘sleepover’! I felt very grown-up. We had spaghetti and made candy. She made me feel important.
I remember Louise’s laugh. It rang throughout family gatherings, I looked forward to telephone conversations when, no matter what the situation was, she could always find something special to laugh with me about. Daddy always treasured Louise’s wonderful sense of joy and humor. She could brighten a sad day. She made us both happy.
Louise was very special to Daddy. After Mother died, Daddy would leave Lubbock on Friday and drive to Dallas to go dancing with Louise. She was his favorite dance partner, and she became his anchor when he relocated to Plano in the late 1990’s. Louise took him to doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping, got prescriptions for him and filled in the many necessities of her brother who no longer could drive, but insisted on living independently in Texas. She made Daddy feel self-sufficient.
I remember Louise’s visits to California both before and after Daddy finally agreed to move to California (as long as he could be buried next to mother.) Louise, John and I were sitting in our family room in Diamond Bar—1990’s—talking about ‘family stuff’ 😊. Louise commented that she didn’t understand why Daddy had resented my marriage to John. I said, “Oh, probably because I got a divorce, which he didn’t approve of.” Louise then revealed the Family Secret that had only been a secret from me! John and I simultaneously barreled off the sofa with, “WHAT?” She then casually said, “Oh, he never told you? Well it’s time you knew.” And it certainly was. A huge burden I had carried was released. She made me feel guilt-free about a decision that I had known was right.
I especially remember one of our many phone conversations. This took place when Louise was in her late 70’s or early 80’s. Since she was constantly on the go, and therefore, I knew I had to call early or late to catch her. One morning I called at 8:00 am her time. She was not home. I called that night and asked where she had been so early. She said she had gone to the Senior Center to sign-up for the next quarter, since activities filled quickly. I asked what she signed for and she said—“Oh, three things.” I asked what she was going to take. “Oh, I’ll go to play and a music production.” I wouldn’t let it go-“What is the third?” Reluctantly and a little frustrated by my prying, “Well, a Sock Hop!” She gave me a beautiful model for living without aging.
Louise was clearly the second matriarch of the Alexander family. She stepped into those shoes when Grandmother was no longer able to fill that role. She called, sent cards, kept pictures, treasures and most of all loved us all dearly and unconditionally. She followed and blessed me through my childhood, teen years, early adulthood, and now that I am a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother I know just how I want to do it.
I will always remember my Aunt Louise with love, laughter, joy and inspiration.
Gee Gee Walker
