Ruth Elaine Tunnell's Obituary
Elaine, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away at home surrounded by her family from complications of Lewy Body Dementia. Elaine was a beautiful woman, inside and outside, full of love for her family, friends, yet she had an attitude that would not allow her to tolerate someone who was less than genuine. Elaine was preceded in death by her mother Elizabeth “Lib” Williams, father Bill Williams, her brother Bill Jr., and her daughter Keli Elizabeth Tunnell. She is survived by her husband Michael of 42 yrs., her daughter Kristin (Mark) Casner, and son Carson Tunnell, two beautiful granddaughters who were the joy of her life, Ava and Lane Casner, and her sister Sue (Steve) McNally of Winder, GA., and too many nieces, nephews, and cousins to mention here. Born and raised in Fayetteville, NC, Elaine graduated from Terry Sanford HS, and after schooling in Atlanta, she became a chair side dental assistant. While working in Fayetteville she met the GI her parents warned her about -Michael, who was with the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft, Bragg NC. After months of courtship, they were properly married in the 1st Baptist Church in downtown Fayetteville in 1975, and then moved to the foreign land (at least for her) of Texas, where they made their home and raised their family in Richardson. Elaine continued as a chair side dental assistant, then later let her inner creative self out, and with her business partner Susan Neff, became a successful interior designer. She was active in Canyon Creek Elementary PTA in various committees, cheered her children as they played soccer and other sports, until she suffered a stroke in 1993. Although slowed by the ravages of the stroke, she still was active, spirited and supportive of her children and family. Her favorite place was with all her family at the beach in Carolina Beach, NC, and eating Britt’s Donuts every morning. After battling Lewy Body Dementia for several years, her body finally succumbed to this cruel disease. The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to everyone at Faith Hospice, and especially to Monica Jones, Nurses James Mitchell and Kim Riddle, without whose help and support we would not have been able to make Elaine’s transition to the next world as dignified and graceful. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Monday, June 12, 2017 at Restland Funeral Home. The service for Elaine Tunnell will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, June 13, 2017 in The Memorial Chapel at Restland Funeral Home. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Lewy Body Dementia Research at http://www.lbda.org. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, at Restland Road, Dallas, TX 75243.
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