Winnie Charlene (Adams) Tollett

Winnie Charlene (Adams) Tollett passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Paris, Texas, at the age of 84. Born on Jan. 2, 1941 in Sobol, Okla., Charlene was the cherished daughter of Doyle and Ola Mae (Lovelace) Adams. She was a proud graduate of Rattan High School, Class of 1958.

Later that same year, Charlene married the love of her life, Jack Tollett. Together they built their home in Hugo, where Charlene lovingly supported Jack as he established a successful construction business. Between 1959 and 1964, they welcomed five children and began the beautiful, bustling family life Charlene so deeply cherished.

While raising her children, Charlene also worked in administrative roles at the Choctaw Housing Authority and Choctaw Memorial Hospital. Charlene went on to retire after 15 years of working for her dear friend, Dr. Jose Pabilona.

Charlene was best known for her warmth, hospitality and the welcoming spirit that made every visitor feel at home. She found great joy in life’s simple pleasures, tending to her flower gardens, attending garage sales and auctions with friends, and crafting beautiful pieces through crocheting, painting, sewing and quilting. She especially loved decorating her home for the holidays, creating lasting memories for her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Doyle and Ola Mae Adams; her husband, Jack Tollett; her daughter, Tonya Ashford; and daughterin-law, Candy Tollett. Charlene is survived by her children: Howard Tollett, Annette Nowell and husband, Billy, Bobby Tollett, and Alan Tollett and wife, Melissa; grandchildren: Amy Ashford, Torre (Tollett) Taylor, Heath Tollett, Lacey (Nowell) Burroughs, Tambra (Nowell) Dunn, Emily (Nowell) Hernandez, Jessi (Tollett) Rushing, Colton Tollett and Allie Tollett; great-grandchildren: Cody Taylor, Evan Tollett, Jacey Taylor, Grey Burroughs, Finnigan Burroughs, Georgianna Dunn, Theodore Dunn, Louisa Dunn, Jack Dunn, Marigold Dunn, Clementine Hernandez, and Collin Tollett.

To honor her life and the lives she touched, the family invites friends, relatives and members of the community to an Open Door Memorial –– a time of informal remembrance where guests may come and go throughout the day to pay their respects, reflect and celebrate a life well lived. Guests are encouraged to sign the memorial book upon arrival so that the family may express their gratitude in the days to come.

The memorial will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at Prater-Lampton-Mills in Hugo.

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