Ava Pulley

Ava Marie Pulley, 97, passed from this earth on Jan 5, 2023. She was born
October 2, 1925 in Arkansas City KS. and was the oldest daughter to Nellie
and Glenn Thomas.
She received her early education in Arkansas City KS and graduated from
Ark City High School. Upon graduation from High School, she worked at
Dye-Fesler Drug store in Ark City. She married Owen Gene Pulley August
12, 1946 at the home of her in-laws. They made their home in Ark City and
of this marriage came four children; Jeanie, Cathy, Thom, and Steve.
The family moved to Newkirk, OK in 1963 and were members of the First
Christian Church. Ava was very involved with the youth group while her
kids were younger and later taught Sunday school classes and sang in the
choir. She was still a member of the First Christian Church upon her death.
Once her kids were older she began working at Fran’s Boutique in Newkirk
and later at Security Abstract as an Assistant Secretary and retired from
there in 1993. Upon her retirement, she began her new career of
babysitting her grandkids. She loved attending their sporting events and
everyone in Newkirk called her “Grandma Ava.”
Ava was also an expert seamstress and even sewed her daughter’s
wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses and was the go-to person for prom
dress alterations in the Newkirk area. If she had a needle and thread in her
hand, she could mend just about anything. She also ironed clothes for
several families in Newkirk and was a member of the Newkirk Business
Club. Ava cherished her independence and lived alone until her death.
Her apartment was always tidy with everything in its place. She loved
clothes and shoes and her weekly hair appointment with Kathy Landis was
something she always looked forward to.
Ava was preceded in death by her parents, Nellie and Glenn Thomas,
Sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Elmo Crain, Brother and
sister-in-law, Howard and Pat Thomas, Brother Allen Thomas, Grandson
Chris Moore, and infant Daughter Jeanie Pulley.
She is survived by her children Cathy (Joe) Moore of Moore OK, Thom Pulley
of Newkirk, Steve (Dana) Pulley of Newkirk. Grandkids, Leandra (Levi)
Savage, Kayla (Bradley) Schneeberger, Alisa Moore, Kaylyn (Rich)
Henderson, Connor (Paislee) Pulley, Kyndal (Tanner) Bergman, McKenna
Pulley and her boyfriend Kyler Patterson. Great grandkids, Leona Savage,
Deylin Lawson, Lily Moore, Aiden & Collins Pulley, Nolan Bergman, and soon
to be baby Stevie Henderson.
A memorial service will be held at First Christian Church in Newkirk
Saturday, Jan 14 at 10 am. Martin Foster and Robert Farris will be
officiating.