Susan Purkey

Susan Bliss Purkey, 81, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 24, 2026.

Susan, known as "Nan" by her beloved children and grandchildren, was born June 24, 1945, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, to the late C.F. Bliss, Jr. and Ethel Williams Bliss. She grew up and received her education in Tahlequah, where she graduated from Tahlequah High School and was Homecoming Queen. After high school, she attended Northeastern State University, where she received both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree. She was a life-long member of First Presbyterian Church of Tahlequah.

Susan taught at Hilldale Elementary School in Muskogee, and later taught at Greenwood Elementary School in Tahlequah until her retirement. She loved teaching math and delighted in her students and enjoyed seeing them and catching up with them all as they became adults.

From her marriage to Darrell Smith, her children Chuck and Deborah were born. Susan married Nick Purkey on July 1, 1977, in Tahlequah. This blended their families and Nicki, Jami, Chuck, and Deborah we all raised on Hickory Drive in Tahlequah.

Susan loved taking care of her houseplants and flowerbeds as well as her animals. She loved watching OU Football and Thunder basketball, but especially loved attending any sporting event that her grandchildren were involved in. Susan made some of the best angel food cakes, oatmeal bars, and no-bake cookies and enjoyed her long walks around the beautiful neighborhood that she lived in.

Susan is survived by her son, Chuck (Diane) Purkey of Tahlequah, three daughters, Deborah Sells of Tahlequah, Jami Bell of Arizona, and Nicki Carriere of Nowata, Oklahoma; one brother Bryce (Jeanne) Bliss of Tulsa, Oklahoma; grandchildren Brittany Sells, Addy Sells, Ally Lee, Steven Purkey, and Tyler Purkey all of Tahlequah, Chelsea Van Zandt of Ponca City, Oklahoma, Cheyenne Hamilton of Grove, Oklahoma , Bradley Linn and Austin Linn of Arizona and Rachel Kersker of Pryor, Oklahoma.

She was preceded in death by her parents, C.F. and Ethel Williams Bliss, her beloved husband Nick Purkey, brothers Fred Bliss and Bill Bliss, and her grandson Trinton Herron-Purkey.

Pallbearers include: Billy Bliss, Tyler Purkey, Steven Purkey, Jeff Turtle, Jon Lee, and Matt Lee.

A viewing will be held Monday, September 28, 2026, from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Hart Funeral Home. Graveside services will be Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Tahlequah City Cemetery.