Charlene “Choc” Mintz Tidwell was born on Jan. 20, 1929, and passed away on Aug. 23, 2021. She was 92. Charlene was born to Jerry Edward and Seleah Mintz.
She was a member of the Mississippi Choctaw tribe and attended Chilocco Indian School from age 5 until she graduated. She was married to Paul A. “Bunk” Tidwell for 55 years.
She was a homemaker and mother to ten children. She taught them all about Jesus Christ. Charlene was a great cook. Her specialties were chicken fried steak and chocolate pies. She also cooked extra bacon for family members who might come to visit.
She enjoyed watching most sports, but her favorites were basketball, track and field, PBR, golf and tennis. She loved all Oklahoma teams. She especially loved tennis player Rafa Nadal; he was her “Spanish warrior.” Charlene was known for her kindness and generosity. She made it a point to call relatives on their birthdays. In her 92 years, Charlene never learned to drive because she never had the desire to do so.
Our precious mother was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2000 and was just given a few weeks to live. But by the grace of God and the power of prayer, she was healed, and God gave us another 21 years with our mother. We are forever grateful!
Charlene was preceded in death by her husband Paul and her oldest son C.E. “Smokey” Tidwell.
She is survived by her nine children: Zandra Schooler, Anna Tidwell, Roger Tidwell, Anthony Tidwell, Paula (Joe) Morris, Stephanie Tidwell, Shannon Tidwell, and Max (Angela) Tidwell; her daughter-in-law, Frances Tidwell; her 12 grandchildren: Devon (Amy) Lambert, Sundie Morris, Rachel (Josh) Luscombe, Jake Ferguson, Jennifer Tidwell, Callie (Darrell) Roberts, Jessica Tidwell, Noah (Amanda) Keever, Alyce (Phillip) Weber, Skyler Tidwell, Sara Tidwell, and Sydney Tidwell; her 15 great-grandchildren: Zoe Morris, Zaiden Crowell, Morgan and Mason Luscombe, Hannah and Emily Webb, Ethan and Kori Roberts, Bella Wright, Bennett Ricca; Noah Paul, Mason, and Brooklyn Keever; Finnley Weber, and McKenna Tidwell; and a sister, Jane Mintz of Bokchito, Okla.
Services were on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, at First Family Church. Arrangements under the direction of Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home.