Nancy Lee Tarpley

Nancy Lee Tarpley passed peacefully from this world, surrounded by her loving family, to be with her Lord and Savior on November 16, 2023, after a brief illness.  She was born on August 5, 1933, in Springfield, Massachusetts to Col. & Mrs. Joseph Day Lee.  With her father in the military, Nancy moved all over the United States growing up.  

While attending the University of Connecticut, Nancy went to Tokyo, Japan to see her parents where she met and fell in love with Air Force 2^nd Lt. Francis M. “Frank” Tarpley from Porum, Oklahoma.  They were wed on February 13, 1954, and made their home in Oklahoma City.  

Nancy was a dedicated housewife but most proud of the fact that she was a mother having given birth to four children within the first five years of marriage.  Gandy, as all her grand and great grandchildren called her, was also proud to be the grandmother to nine grandchildren and great-grandmother to seventeen great grandchildren.  Nancy was a talented artist, photographer, crafter and quilter.  She was a long-time resident of Quail Creek, a member of the Country Club for many years and was a long-time member of Crossings Community Church.  She loved her family time at their Grand Lake cabin and at the cottage in Pemaquid Point, Maine. 

Preceding Nancy in death were her parents, her husband of 56 years Frank, and great-grandson Hudson Michael Beverage.  Surviving Nancy is her brother, J. Day Lee, Jr (Maria) of Beaverton, Oregon, her children Brooks Lacy (Marvin), Mike Tarpley (Cindy), Sydney Cox (Steve) and Teresa Payne (Mark).  Her surviving grandchildren are Lindsey Hoppers (Andrew), Chris Woods, Erin Medlin (Thomas), Katie Dildine (Coty), Allison Beverage (Cody), Stephanie Carter (Sam), Grant Cox, Kevin Payne (Amber) and Emily Kosmider (Harrison).  Nancy’s surviving great-grandchildren are Anthony Hoppers, Camden Hoppers, Ryder Woods, Jackson Medlin, Addyline Medlin, Kane Dildine, Kason Dildine, Kyson Dildine, Brynlee Beverage, Brooks Carter, Addison Carter, Bailey Payne, Wade Payne, Annie Payne, Wyatt Kosmider and Harper Kosmider. 

Many thanks to the outstanding team of compassionate caregivers at the Integris Hospice House.

The family has decided to celebrate Nancy’s life privately on Thanksgiving and appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers during this time.  In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that you make a gift to the Voice of Hope campaign at Crossings Community Church, 14600 N. Portland Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73134