Tava Louise Bessler Madison passed away on Sunday, August 23, in Fayetteville.
A service of prayer and celebration will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 8, at Fellowship Bible Church, Fayetteville.
Tava was born on October 8th, 1940, in Nashville, Kansas, to George Miles Bessler and Ava Frances Randal. Tava spent most of her childhood in Pretty Prairie, Kansas, where she was surrounded by close friends and remembered it very fondly. The Besslers moved to Kingman, Kansas, her senior year and she graduated from Kingman High School.
Born the fourth of five children, Tava always treasured family. Theirs was a farm-family kind of closeness. She never ran out of stories about Miles and Ava and her siblings and carried their love and lessons with her always. The phone conversations later in life with her sisters were legendary for their laughter and love, and they were always each other’s biggest supporters.
Growing up in Kansas, she was as free spirited as the plains surrounding her. Her stories about her horse Babe, and how free she felt riding mean we think we know what she’s doing right now. She was a natural communicator who had a saying or story for everything and could connect with anyone. Fortunately for so many, she decided to use those talents in education, attending Emporia State Teachers College and graduated from her beloved Kansas State University. She taught first and second grade at Bluemont Elementary, in Manhattan, Kansas, for three years.
After moving to Tulsa, Okla., Tava became an institution at Roosevelt Elementary school for her passion, consistency, and innovativeness. Never content with basic curriculum, Tava was famous for developing highly impactful curriculum like (So many…Porch people, pen pal programs, poetry, science Friday.) Many students later said her classroom was foundational in them loving school and pursuing education. Tava advocated for her students, mentored young teachers, and was a strong believer in racial justice and education. She founded and taught the school’s first multicultural program and pushed for the study of great black leaders in American history. Vibrantly teaching until she turned 70, her fruitful impact over her teaching career cannot be overstated.
Her teaching extended beyond the classroom with a lifetime passion for learning and curiosity. World Book encyclopedias were a mainstay in her home, and her daughters and grandchildren grew up hearing “let’s look that up in World Book” constantly. They will remember those cozy moments of curiosity and flipping from one topic to another, exploring the world as scientists, artists, athletes and movie stars.
Tava loved old movies and was never without a good recommendation. She had an encyclopedia like knowledge of actors, their movies, and their co-stars as well as most sports and athletes. One of her favorite sayings was that she loved watching “Pretty people doing fun things.” She could be seen driving around Tulsa streets in her famous white “Honda” with the license plate “Fafa,” what her grandchildren called her.
Later in life Tava was prolific at staying in touch with old friends, coworkers, and family. She treasured house visits and long phone calls, especially with her eldest sister Nancy Young until her breathing made it too difficult. Her commitment to connection enriched the lives of so many, and they carry her stories and sayings with them. She was surrounded by friends and family and was so pleased to welcome her great granddaughter last year.
Tava loved God and made sure her daughters were taught His precious Word and know He is worthy of worship. She was the Children’s Director at St. Andrews Presbyterian church in Tulsa for many years and there was always an abundance of bibles and books in the home as well as prayer and a life of service modeled.
Those who will continue to match Tava’s love for God, life and those around her include: Her sisters Barbara Wilson and Elizabeth Beck, daughters Alisha Bakke and Julia Pearson, grandchildren Matthew Bakke (Ashleigh), Melissa Pankey (Josh), Miles Person, and Seth Pearson, and great granddaughter Lucy Pankey and many precious nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Kingman Carnegie Library, 455 N Main Street, Kingman, KS 67068.