Jessie “Dena” M. Tarrant

Jessie “Dena” Tarrant, affectionately known as Mother and Nan, peacefully entered eternal life on Monday, August 28, 2017, surrounded by her loving family.  Services will be at the First Baptist Church of Azle (across from Walnut Creek) 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 1, 2017.  There will be a time for friends (and strangers she would love to have met) to visit with Jessie’s family afterwards.  Interment will be at 3:30 p.m. in Wade Cemetery located in Wade, Oklahoma.

Jessie was born in Karma, Oklahoma in March 28, 1930.  She was the second of eleven children born to the late Hoyt and Nancy (Lawson) Cargal.  Nancy had an untimely death, so from the time Jessie could carry a sack, she worked picking cotton to make money and help raise her siblings.  In 1946, when she was 16, she married William Cross and they moved to Fort Worth in 1952.  William passed away in 1974 and left Jessie a hard-working mother of three.  Times were hard, but through it all she stayed strong and continued to provide for her family, something she had done most all her life.

Jessie worked for Montgomery Wards, and after she retired, she met and married Raymond Tarrant in 1978.  The moved to Lake Worth and lived there for many years until his death.   During that time, her family grew to include grandchildren and they would spend many wonderful days playing in her back yard and enjoying Nanny’s amazing cooking. There was not a soul that left her presence that did not feel loved and cared for by her, even complete strangers. She never let you leave hungry, empty handed or without a wave and an “I love you.”

Jessie will surely leave a void in the hearts of the people who knew and loved her.  Surely those left behind will see each day as a blessing and an opportunity to honor her memory. Her legacy will live on through the lessons she shared with everyone who knew her.  Until we meet again, save us a Dr. Pepper and a spot in Heaven

Jessie is preceded in death by nine siblings and is reunited with them, her parents, and husbands, William Cross and Raymond Tarrant.

She is survived by children, Dale, Becky, and Teresa; grandchildren, Amanda, Krystal, Tanner, Bear, and Amber; great-grandchildren, Garrett, Raegan, Breanne, and Jackson; siblings, Linnie, Carolyn, Ann, and Chickie; and many nieces, nephews, in-laws, family and friends too numerous to list, but not forgotten.