Lena Hope Estelle Taliaferro, 95, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away on February 7, 2024.

Lena Hope (Hopie) Taliaferro was born August 5, 1928 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and was welcomed into the home of Fletcher and Olive (Houston) Carter. She graduated from Phillips (Texas) High School in 1945. At PHS, she gained enduring friendships she treasured throughout her life. She was a friend to all. She married the love of her life, Vernon Taliaferro, in 1946. Mom was always present with three homecooked meals a day, a clean house, and good counsel. She supported the children through Boys and Girl Scouts, athletic and musical endeavors, as well as sewing a lot of Claudia's clothes. She supported Dad through fourteen years of night school, keeping the house running as Dad traveled to Tulsa once a week resulting in a degree from the University of Tulsa in 1968. This taught the family the importance of working together to achieve a common goal. She was a true example of Proverbs 31:10-31. Throughout almost 72 years of marriage, they raised and nurtured their children in loving homes in Phillips, TX, Bartlesville, OK, Shawnee, KS, and the Inverness Retirement Village in Tulsa, OK.

Mom had several jobs in life as daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. After the kids left, Mom enjoyed a successful career in real estate. She was a Christian and served her Lord as a Methodist, serving as a MYF leader, and serving on countless church boards.

She leaves as her legacy her three children: Lt. Col. (Ret) John Taliaferro (USAF) and his wife Gerry, of Summerville, SC; Claudia Rolfs and her husband Harland, of Bartlesville, OK; and James Taliaferro and his wife Shannon, of Slaton, TX. She was very proud of her grandchildren. They are Jason Taliaferro, Shannon Dangerfield, Eric Rolfs, Commander USN, Kevin Rolfs, Matthew Taliaferro, and Juliana Burns. Her legacy also includes great grandchildren: Katie, Lucy, Jenny, Tommy, Ashley, Erin, Emily, Peyton, Parker, Mina, Samantha, Clara, and Donovan.

Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren remember her as: a true woman of God; being fair and patient; and being the first to praise for a job well done. She was supportive of all of their educations and activities, facilitating cousins' road trips, and hosting countless Thanksgiving celebrations. She was happiest when cooking brown beans, cornbread, and a tart cherry pie for Dad.

Mom's ever-present smile and her positive countenance will be forever treasured. Mom, we thank you for leading our family with love, and for the examples you set of a life well lived.

She was preceded in death by her parents Fletcher and Olive Carter; beloved husband Vernon Taliaferro; sisters Elsie Lane, Pearl Jarvis and Inez Benefield; and a brother Leonel Carter.

Cremation is under the care of Cremation Society of Oklahoma. A Memorial service at East Cross Church in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and graveside rites in Pampa, Texas, will be scheduled at a later date. The family requests that memorials be made to East Cross Methodist Church (Youth Fund), 820 S. Madison Blvd., Bartlesville OK., 74006, or to Covenant Living at Inverness (Benevolent Fund), 3800 W. 71st, Tulsa, OK., 74132. The family would also like to thank the staff of Inverness Village for their ever-watchful care.