Obituary for Vonceil Tapp

Vonceil Tapp

July 12, 1925 – May 25, 2019

Vonceil Tapp, a long time resident of Ponca City passed away on Saturday, May 25, 2019. She was 93 years old.

Vonceil was born on July 12, 1925 to Henry Harold McClendon, Sr. and Exie Olean Campbell McClendon in Elk City, OK. She was one of seven children. The family moved to the Ponca City area when Vonceil was very young. She graduated from Ponca City High School. After graduating from high school, she went to work for Cities Service Oil Co. as a secretary. Later, she moved to New Mexico to live with her brother, Weaver, and his wife, Beulah to work as a secretary for a banker. She later returned to Ponca and was employed by Sanders Drug Store as a bookkeeper. Then at the wedding of her best friend, she met that “special someone” with whom she would share her life.

Vonceil married Harry Lee Tapp, Jr. on Dec. 8, 1946 in Ponca City, OK. They were married for 67 years until Lee’s death in 2014. Vonceil was the perfect helpmate for Lee. She partnered with Lee in his building business for 40 plus years. She was involved in the business as bookkeeper and, also, decorator of the many houses Lee built in Ponca City.

But the true joy she found was in her home. She was actively involved in the lives of her children, serving in PTA and school functions. She was always the perfect hostess for extended family events. She welcomed everyone into her home – usually with a cup of coffee, a dessert or a full meal!

Lee and Vonceil had three daughters: Mary Kathleen, married to Thomas R. Tucker, residing in Choctaw, OK; Joyce Elaine, married to Charles Hester, residing in Apollo Beach, FL; and Leanna Beth, married to Charles L. Van Cleave residing in Ponca City, OK. To her “girls”, Vonceil provided an excellent example of a good wife, devoted mother, and a hostess with a servant heart. She was a wonderful grandma to her six grandchildren and a special loving “Granny” to her great-grandchildren of which there are 12 with another on the way.

Her faith was the foundation of her life. Vonceil was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Ponca City. She taught Sunday School frequently, she worked in VBS and for many years she welcomed all the new little lives into the church by serving in the church nursery.

She loved gardening and was involved in local garden clubs. She also was a member of Mothers Club well into the years it could have been Grandmothers Club! She expressed her creativity in many ways, but she especially enjoyed needlepoint. Members of her family are blessed to have some of her needlepoint gracing their walls.

Vonceil was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Lee Tapp Sr. (1920-2014), her parents, Henry Harold McClendon Sr.(1887-1979) and Exie Olean Campbell McClendon (1891-1979), three brothers and their spouses, Shannon Lindsey and wife LeEtta, Weaver Rye and wife Beulah and Henry Harold, Jr. and wife Bernice, and three sisters and their spouses, Mattie Geraldine and husband Bill Hanes, and Jeanine and husband Tim Burgess, and Helen, who died in infancy.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. But to her family, she leaves an incredible legacy of the true example of love and servanthood.

Casketbearers are her grandsons: Thomas Tucker, Tim Tucker, Daniel Sachs, Jason Yeck, Robert Thibodeaux and Edward George. Honorary Casketbearers are nephews: Bryan Tapp and Ronnie Schildhauer.

Friends and loved ones may pay their respects at Trout Funeral Home on Thursday, May 30, 2019 from 5-8pm. Vonceil’s family will be available to greet friends from 10:00 – 11:30 am on Friday, May 31, 2019. A graveside ceremony will be held on Friday, May 31st at 2:00 pm at Resthaven Memorial Park with Pastor Kyle Megenity officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Source: Trout Funeral Home