Audrey Tuggle

Audrey Jean Tuggle, 93, passed away Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at her home. Audrey was born on July 4, 1917 in Avonmore, PA to Martin John Faulk and Verna Elizabeth Kunkle Smith. Audrey graduated from Bell Township High School in Salina, PA. She then moved to Pittsburgh, PA to attend Maison Frederic School of Cosmetology. After graduation she returned to Avonmore where she and her sister, Muriel Hatton established the Smith Beauty Shop in the family home. While still living in PA, Audrey and her sister Loretta would vacation together. During one trip in 1942 Audrey accompanied Loretta to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri to visit her friend James Berry. It was during this vacation that James introduced Audrey to his army buddy John Tuggle. They corresponded during WWII and were then married on September 10, 1946 at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Coffeyville. Audreys parents drove her to Coffeyville the day before the wedding. After moving to Coffeyville, Audrey worked at the Vanity Box Beauty Shop until 1952. She then assisted her husband, John, for the next 53 years in the family business, Ozark Electric Company along with being a homemaker. She enjoyed making all the holidays very special occasions for her family with decorations and usually by decorating a cake to celebrate the holiday. At Christmas she always decorated outside and it was important to her that the tree inside the house reach almost to the ceiling. This was a tradition she carried on from her mother. Audrey helped as a leader for Blue Birds and Camp Fire Girls during the years her daughter was a member. She also helped in PTA. She was active in many Masonic organizations: Order of the Eastern Star, Quo Vadis Shrine, Bethel Shrine of Bartlesville, Daughters of the Nile, Beauceant. She was also a member of the VFW and American Legion Auxiliary for many years. She was a member of the Lutheran Church in Avonmore, PA. After moving to Coffeyville she joined the First United Methodist Church where she continued to attend and was a member of the Keystone Sunday School Class for 60 years. Audrey always enjoyed traveling. She visited all 50 states and traveled overseas twice to Belgium, France and Germany. She loved to shop and for many years her monthly shopping trips to Tulsa or Joplin were a part of her life. In later years, her shopping trips were probably what she missed most. Audrey loved to be around people she loved to swim and for many years was active in a swim exercise class. She was forced to quit at the age of 86 when she broke her hip. Her smile and laughter were her trademarks, and will be greatly missed. She is survived by one daughter, Susan Tuggle of Coffeyville, KS beloved dog, Snoopy a sister, Janis Berry of Duncansville, PA brother, Martin Smith of Avonmore, PA and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Elizabeth husband, John son, Sidney sisters, Lois Hamlin, Muriel Hatton, Loretta Berry and brothers, Chalfont, Thomas, James and Darwin Smith. Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 18, 2011 at PenwellGabel FordWulfBruns Chapel with Rev. John Collins officiating. Interment will be in Robbins Cemetery, west of Coffeyville under the direction of PenwellGabel Funeral Home amp Crematory. Friends who wish may donate to the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Coffeyvilles First United Methodist Church or the Shriners Hospital. Donations may be left at the funeral home. Visitation will be Thursday, 9am 8pm with family available to receive friends from 68 pm. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.penwellgabelcoffeyville.com.