Maxine (Pumpkin) Wilson

Maxine Louise Pumpkin-Wilson was born on September 21st, 1953 in Tahlequah, OK, the daughter of George V. and Agnes (Christie) Pumpkin. Growing up, she shared her days with her four brothers and three sisters, Carl, David, Thomas, Gary, Florene, Merry and Ernestine. She attended Sequoyah High School, and her many friends became her extended family. She was very active in sports, and loved to support her school by being a cheerleader. She graduated in 1971, and began her studies at Northeastern State University, receiving a Bachelors in Education. While there, she was a walk on at NSU for the basketball team and even participated in gymnastics. Her first job was teaching at Briggs in Athletics, she also taught Cherokee, as it was her first language. She would return to NSU to obtain her Masters of Education, majoring in counseling. She was a wonderful counselor, kind, loving, and very understanding to the feelings of others. She was quick with a hug and never hesitated to say “I Love You”. She also had a way of making you feel like you had been her friend forever, laughing with you and making you one of her friends. With Maxine, her family came first and foremost. She prided herself in caring for her family and friends. She cooked the recipes taught to her by her family, and her wild onions, meatloaf and potato salad were the best! She was married to Tim Wilson for over 27 years and friends for over 30 years. They were everyone’s favorite Aunt and Uncle, taking the children to the creek for a fun filled day of swimming and maybe a hot dog roast afterwards. There were daily walks taken with her canine companions, Blondie and Vicious and enjoyed cuddling with her cat, Granny. She would curl up on the couch and read a mystery or romance novel, she loved them! She never missed the chance to go support her grandchildren in all their endeavors in school, from athletics to functions, Maxine was their biggest supporter. Once you met Maxine, you were a friend and part of the family for life. She believed, even when times were tough, the most important thing to remember is “Love one another”. For all the plans she had yet to fulfill, she passed from this life on February 2nd, 2022 in Tulsa, OK, surrounded by those who knew and loved her, Maxine was 68 years old.

Maxine has gone home to join her grandparents, mother and father, her son, Jim McCarter, brother Carl Ross, and her sister-in-law, Laura Pumpkin.

She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Marcus Wilson of Tahlequah and Sunni Wilson and companion Brian Vaughn of Coweta, OK.

She leaves her brothers and sisters, David Pumpkin of Tahlequah, Thomas Pumpkin of Tulsa, Gary Smith of El Reno, OK, Florene Batt of Tahlequah, Merry Loman and husband Terry of Tahlequah, and Ernestine Pumpkin and companion Phillip Leach of Tahlequah. She lives on in her three adored grandchildren, Breelynn Vaughn, Talon Vaughn and Trista Vaughn, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.

Memorial services for Maxine Louise Pumpkin-Wilson will be held on Monday, February 7th, 2022 at 3:00 PM at the Tri-Community Building at 17914 South 580 Rd in Tahlequah, OK. Online condolences for her family may be left at www.reedculver.com.