Zeolla VanTassel was born on February 15, 1938, in New Hope, AR, to Oscar Ameringer and Lillian Ann (Wilson) Kuykendall.
She passed away on Thursday, October 31, 2024, in Yukon, OK at the age of 86.  Zeolla grew up in Nashoba, in eastern Oklahoma, near the Kiamichi Mountains. Like many kids from her generation, Zeolla learned at an early age how to work hard. While in Colorado picking peaches, she met Kenneth Eugene VanTassel, who was working in the same orchard. The couple married just a few weeks later. They lived for a time in the Camargo, OK area before moving numerous places across the United States. They landed back in eastern Oklahoma near Sasakwa, where they made their home for over 30 years. She worked at Lookeba Elementary as a Teachers Aid for a number of years, at Sasakwa school as a cook for many years as well. She was faithful in the Assembly of God Church of Sasakwa, serving as a Sunday School Teacher for over 15 years. Zeolla was a wonderful caregiver, she loved to sew, quilt and make blankets for her loved ones. She was very active in the Hinton Pentecostal Holiness Church. She was faithful to host a Wednesday night Bible Study in her home. She loved to cook and bake, teaching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren the secrets of her kitchen. She will be lovingly remembered by her family and friends.

Survivors include her children, Stella Tillman & husband Jr. of Hinton, OK, Zequeatta Jaques & husband Steve, of Hinton, OK, Zepha Roppel & husband Julius of Ada, OK, Kenneth Demoain VanTassel & wife Pressy of Ada, OK and Lavada VanTassel and Dean Roseberry of Hinton, OK;

20 grandchildren, Steve Miller and Kim, Shaunell Brown and Justin, Zavior Willis and Riley, Natalie Meiwes and Henry, Natasha Warren and Dave, Travis VanTassel and Stephanie, Tyrie VanTassel and Amber, Memery Roppel, Zakora Griffin and Ben, Jayden Roppel and Joanna, Jesse VanTassel, Joshua VanTassel and Cassy, Okal VanTassel, Taloa Roberts and Tanner, Sunhawk Hill and Melissa, Nashoba Hill and Stephanie, Hatuk Hill and Sheila, Nashae Kelley and Colton, Kethan VanTassel, Rain Boling and Kase, 42 great grandchildren, and 8 great-great grandchildren, 3 sisters, Wanda Timmons and husband David, Luella Carter, Mona VanTassel and husband Vernon as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Zeolla was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar & Lillian Kuykendall; husband, Kenneth VanTassel; son, Eugene VanTassel, 6 siblings, Imogene Jeffcoat, Vivian Cooper, Joe Kuykendall, Milburn Kuykendall, Harvey Kuykendall and Polly Kuykendall.


In lieu of flowers please send memorial donations to Hinton Pentecostal Holiness Church, 1620 N. Broadway, Hinton, OK 73047

Memorial Service:  1:30PM, Tuesday, Nov 12, 2024, Hinton Pentecostal Holiness Church, Hinton, OK

Officiating:  Bro. Louis Bennett

Services entrusted to Turner Funeral Home, Hinton, OK.

Condolences may be sent to the family at turnerfuneralhomes@gmail.com, turnerfh.net, or you can find us on facebook.com (Turner Funeral Homes).