KALISPELL, Mont. — Margaret Elizabeth Tanksley,
86, was born in Perry County Arkansas to Barnie and Mattie Gwin on September 23,1934, and passed peacefully in Northwest Montana on August 18, 2021 with her daughter at her bedside. She is preceded in death by her mother Mattie Gwin, her father Barnie Gwin, her beloved son Dale, her twin brother Mark and her sister Bernadine Wright.
She is survived by her daughter Donna Dunn and her husband John Dunn of Kalispell, Mont., son, Billy Tanksley Jr. and his wife Deanne Tanksley of Costa Rica, and one niece, Stephanie of El Paso, Texas. Other survivors include a host of friends and neighbors that have shown great love to our mother over the years.
How is it that I never saw your wings when you were here with me? When you closed your eyes and soared to the Heavens I could hear the faint flutter of your wings as you left. Your body no longer on this side your spirit here eternally I see your halo shine. I close my eyes and see the multi-colored wings surround me in my saddest moments and my happiest times. Mother, my angel, God has given you your assignment always, my mother forever my angel. You fly into my dreams and when I am asleep, I feel your wings brush against my face, wiping away the tears I shed since I can no longer hold you in my arms but in my heart. You earned those wings dear mother and you will always be my angel eternal. — UNKNOWN
Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m., Thursday, August 26, 2021 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Little Rock. Burial will follow at Saint Boniface Catholic cemetery in Perry County. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 25, 2021 from 5-7 p.m., at the funeral home, with Rosary beginning at 7 p.m.
Like our entire family, mother had a heartfelt love for animals. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her name to Arkansas C.A.R.E.S for animals, the Sherwood, Ark., Animal Shelter or the Pulaski County Humane Society.
Arrangements by Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street, North Little Rock, Ark., 72114, (501) 758-1170. Sign Mrs. Tanksley’s online guest register at www.smithfamilycares.com.