We gather today to celebrate the life of our family's Crown Jewel.  She was born Carmen Louise Wallingford on October 18, 1929 in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, and passed from our lives on August 10, 2023, at the golden age of 93 years and 296 days.   She was the ninth child born to Beatrice Clifton and Rex Day Wallingford.

She graduated from Sumner high school.  She married Joseph Lee Jelinek on 16 Jul 1947 in Perry, Oklahoma.  To this union were born five children, Gary, Laquetta, Roger, Joey, Ronnie.

She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty years, Joseph Lee Jelinek, in 1997, her son, Gary Louis Jelinek, in 1995, parents Rex Day Wallingford in 1944, Beatrice Clifton in 1979. Being the ninth child, of 15, she was also preceded in death by 13 siblings.

She is survived by one brother, Wayne Ladue Wallingford of Sand Springs, OK.  Her children, Laquetta Jo and husband Paul Wolfe of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Roger Doyle Jelinek of Tulsa, OK, Joseph Lee (Joey) Jelinek and wife Penny of Sand Springs, OK, Ronald Eugene Jelinek and wife Sherry of Mannford, OK. Grandchildren, Joey Wolfe and wife, Annie of Wichita, KS, Chris Wolfe and wife Lori of Wichita, KS, April Dawn Jelinek, and Scotty Jelinek of Sand Springs, OK., Howard and wife Dana Veteto, Mark and wife Valerie Veteto of Sand Springs, OK.  Great Grandchildren, Shanelle, Kinsley, Ava Grace Wolfe of Wichita, KS and Jase Jelinek of Sand Springs, OK, Adrien Veteto Gray and husband Greg Gray, Zachary Veteto, Shalona Veteto, and Megan Mathews all of Sand Springs, OK, Great Great Grandchildren, Ethan Dye, Michael Dye, Sirrah Veteto, Lilliana Veteto, Laila Stubblefield, Donovan Gray, Lijah Stubblefield all of Sand Springs, OK. In addition, she is survived by many nieces and nephews.

She will be remembered for her kindness, gentle nature, and beautiful smile.  She was a woman who enjoyed gatherings with her family, always a welcome place at her table with plenty of food and laughter.  Her door was always open to offer that listening ear and be the support needed as she shared in our triumphs and losses.  Many lost and homeless kittens were fed that showed up at her backdoor.

Carmen was the Queen of quilting.  All of us have a quilt she made to keep us warm and offer us a bit of her comforting hand.

This story would not be complete if her love of fishing was not included.  But, better than that, was her skills of cooking those fish!  Oh, what a treat it was to be included in her fish fries. And Joe could make some mean hush puppies.

As well as raising her own children, she also had many children in her care through the years.  They too, will remember a person who was loving and nurturing, preparing them for their steps into a world of school and adulthood.  The only requirement was they had to let her watch her stories.  Many children were cared for with love and "As the World Turns."   She loved to read, up every morning early to retrieve her morning newspaper.

She enjoyed going to the Casinos to try her luck, watching Tiger Woods play golf, and decorating for the holidays.  Her house lit up the neighborhood with her Christmas decorating.  She could put Clark Griswald to shame.

We will all have special memories of this dear woman; she was the matriarch of our family and an Elder in her Otoe-Missouri Tribe.  Speak her name often so that she remains a vital part of your children's lives.

Whew!  What a Legacy!

For those who are unable to attend the service live webcast will be available:   https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/91507