Funeral services for Tamala Kay Hart, 58, of Chickasha will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, August 13, 2020 at the Ferguson Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Justin Avery officiating.
Tamala Kay Hart, known to all as “Tam”, was born on November 22, 1961 in Chickasha, Oklahoma to Anthony Carlton Hart and Karen Kay (Martin) Hart. Tam went to be with the Lord August 11 th , 2020 in Chickasha, Oklahoma.
Tam was born with Down syndrome. With the help of her grandmother, Evangeline Martin, she learned to read at a 5 th grade reading level, a skill that helped her succeed throughout her life. She worked at the Opportunity Workshop for many years. Her favorite job however was her office at Hart Trailer. She was a very hard worker and she was quick to keep everyone in line. She loved the Special Olympics and competed for many years. Tam competed in her first Special Olympics as a child and she competed in her last in 2017.
Tam loved the Lord and was baptized on March 17 th , 1974 at College Heights Baptist Church. She attended College Heights for many years where she enjoyed fellowship and learning about her Savior. Tam often had her Bible in tow. She loved to read the Word and copy the scriptures onto endless stacks of paper. She exhausted many Bibles throughout her life. Tam loved sharing the gospel with people. Tam would share with anyone who would listen, especially her friends at the Special Young Adults.
Tam was a very affectionate person and she loved to give and receive hugs. Tam’s hugs came from her heart and if you were lucky enough to receive one, in that moment, you felt truly loved in her embrace. Tam was a dedicated fan of OU Football, Thunder basketball and Elvis Presley. Walking into her office, one would quickly become aware of this. Any mention of the three would be swiftly followed by Tam’s signature ear to ear grin. Tam like most of us enjoyed good food and she loved to eat. Tam was not a fan of dietary restrictions and she knew how to get around them. Persuasion was a gift that did not go unused in her life. Tam often persuaded her co-workers at Hart into making quick trips to the snack machine for her when the coast was clear.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love, according to 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. This is how Tam loved. Tam always had a gentle way of loving everyone around her. In her smile, when she hugged herself, true joy and happiness could be seen. Tam truly showed Christ’s love in everything that she did. The world was a much kinder place with Tam in it. Tam was a gift and a friend to all. She will be deeply missed by all those that knew and loved her.
Tamala was preceded in death by her grandparents John and Evangeline Martin and Larkin and Camilla Hart.
Those she leaves behind are her father and mother Anthony and Kay Hart of Chickasha; sister Tracy Graham and husband Roy of Chickasha; sister Robin Hart of Chickasha; niece Ashley Kriegel and husband Tim of Austin, Texas; niece Melanie Hart Mora of Chickasha; aunts, uncles, cousins, and other extended family and friends.
The family would like to thank the Special Young Adults for the love and care for Tam over the years. Memorial contributions in honor of Tamala Kay Hart may be made to Special Young Adults, 826 W. Oregon Ave., Chickasha, OK 73018.
Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home.