Laura TARVIN

Laura Mae TarvinJuly 7, 1922 - July 21, 2010Laura Mae Tarvin was a long-time resident in El Centro, CA and passed away in San Diego, CA on July 21, 2010. She was born north of Atlanta, Georgia, to Ed & Azzie Lee Puckett and sister to brothers Edward and Macon.Laura grew up in the country north of Atlanta and was admitted to Emery University Hospital at the tender age of l6 due to a heart condition. After 1.5 years lying in a hospital bed, the doctors come in and told her she had a 50/50 chance of survival if she wanted to agree to an experimental heart operation. With an unequivocal enthusiasm, she said, 'Of course I will! The rest is history. She walked out of Emery as a healthy young woman with the some optimism and a zest for life that remained with her for the rest of her 88 years.Within a short time after her hospital release, World War II was on and she wanted to do her duty to help the armed forces in any way that she could. She went to work at a bomber assembly plant in Wichita, Kansas where she worked of placing rivets into the nose of the B 29 Superfortress, a job she dearly loved.After the war was over, she met and married US Army Tank Sgt. Odis Haile and settled in the town of Parker, AZ, where they raised their three daughters, June, Pat, and Pam. She dearly loved her daughters and would sew for them, making matching dresses, bows for their hair and purses to carry...always attentive to their needs as they were the center of her life. She also owned and operated her own restaurant during that time, which was known as "Laura's Cafe'.In 1962 she moved to El Centro, CA, where she met and married George 'Bob' Tarvin, and remained there the rest of her life.As an Ombudsman in El Centro, Laura advocated for the protection of resident's rights in long-term core facilities by investigating and resolving complaints and asserting civil and human rights. She was passionate about the care of the elderly and continued her volunteer position for more than l3 years.Laura grew up in the south where she was raised to be a strong Christian woman and she carried her beliefs throughout her life. She was a life-long member of the First Baptist Church in El Centro and long-time member of the Christian Women's Club.Services will be held at l0:00 a.m., Friday, July 30, 2010 at the First Baptist Church, l3l2 W. 16th Street, Parker, AZ.Laura is preceded in death by her parents Ed & Azie, her brothers Macon & Edward and her beloved daughter Pam Cormona. She is survived by her daughters Laura June Merritt of Parker, AZ; Pat Seay of El Centro, CA; granddaughter Sherry Alexander (Tobi); grandson Randy Merritt (Tami);granddaughter Laura Merritt; grandsons Odie & Patrick; great-granddaughters Chessica & Raelee; great-grandsons RJ & Dallas; numerous nieces/nephews; and many friends.We miss you, Mama.Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com