Paula Jean (Coffman) Tunnell

Paula Jean Tunnell, age 64 of Haworth passed away on Friday, January 9, 2026 at McCurtain Memorial Hospital in Idabel, OK. She was born on January 19, 1961 in Idabel, OK, the daughter of Billy Ray and Annie Coffman. After graduating from Haworth High School Paula married Tony Tunnell in Idabel, OK on May19, 1979.

Paula had an amazing and varied career. She began at Kelwood sewing factory, drove pulpwood trucks for Tony, worked six years in home health and then worked over twenty years as the purchasing agent for McCurtain Memorial Hospital.

Paula lived in Moon, OK most of her adult life. She loved cooking and was famous for her jerky, Mexican food, and dumplings. The Tunnell’s grew a large garden which Paula preserved and cooked with.

Paula loved to travel and was especially fond of Maui, New York, and many other places in the United States, as well as a few cruises with her lifelong friends.

Paula Jean was especially giving, she took people at their word and gave them the benefit of the doubt. She had a funny sense of humor and many southern words of wisdom. She taught her children to cook, love, give, honor and above all to work hard. She will be tenderly remembered by all that were close to her.

Preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Billy Ray Coffman Jr.

She is survived by her husband, Tony Tunnell of the home; son, Chance Tunnell and his wife Alex, of Moon, OK; grandchildren, Hunter and Brody Tunnell, of Moon, OK; brother, Stewart Coffman of Idabel, OK; sister, Terri Coffman of Broken Bow, OK; and sister-n-law, Tina Tunnell, of Ashdown, AR; nieces, nephews and other relatives, and many friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at the White Family Funeral Chapel with Stephanie Bright officiating. Interment will follow at Denison Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Monday, January 12, 2026 at the funeral home.

Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.whitefamilyfh.com.

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