Merilynn McGee Tullous
Merilynn McGee Tullous passed gently from this life on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013 at the age of 71. Merilynn was born Feb. 25, 1942, in Lockhart, Texas, the first child of Robert Thomas and Marguriete McGee.
She grew up in Luling, Texas, and lived in this area for most of her life. She was a high school cheerleader and the 1959 Luling Watermelon Thump Queen–the sixth queen to ho
ld that honor. After graduating from Luling High School in 1960, she attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College where she was a member of the Strutters.
Merilynn expressed her exceptional artistic style through her oil paintings and decorative creations. Fortunately, many of us now have some of her beautiful works to remember her by.
She was very active in the Watermelon Thump Past Queens Association. Her sense of style and grace contributed greatly to the success of the annual luncheons. Her presence and influence with the organization will be greatly missed.
Merilynn worked for many years at ConTel and GTE as a fiber optics inspector and was instrumental to the success of Nature”s Nest Gift Shop in Luling. Merilynn always had many unique and interesting items in her shop and friends would often stop by just to talk and let her know what was going on in their lives. She was a great listener and always fun to be around.
She was also a member of the Luling A”s Car Club and loved the trips they took. She was always excited to get out and explore new places, make new friends, and take in the sights.
Merilynn always had a positive outlook on life–no matter what was thrown at her. She couldn”t stand negativity and always embraced what was good in her life. She will always be remembered for her strong will and determination to not just survive her illness, but live a full and joyful life. But she will be most remembered for the encouragement, love, and inspiration she provided to all of us.
She was preceded in death by her father, and by a son, Robert “Rob” McCelvey.
She is survived by her husband, James Tullous, of Martindale; her mother, Margueriete McGee, of Luling; daughters Michelle Tullous, of Austin, and Jennifer Tullous, of Gig Harbor, Wa.; grandchild, Camryn Santory, of Gig Harbor, Wa.; sister, Jackie McClain and husband, Johnny, of Dilly, Texas; sisters-in-law Carolyn Higginbotham and husband, Paul, of Lavernia, Texas, and Janell Montgomery and husband, Tom, of Luling.
A celebration of Marilynn’s life was planned at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013, at O’Bannon Funeral Home, in Luling, with interment following at the Jeffrey Cemetery. Honored to serve as pallbearers were Cotton Etheredge, Kenny Morgan, Hoppy Malatek, Bob Scheske, Jay Maddox and Chris Powell. Honorary pallbearers are the members of the Luling A’s Car Club.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements under the direction of O’Bannon Funeral Home, 210 S. Laurel St.,Luling, Texas (830) 875-5713.
