Esther "Tess" Lavone Bokal

Esther (Tess) Lavone Bokal, age 52, went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 in the comfort of her home in Maricopa, AZ. She was born November 23, 1968 in Quanah, Texas to William Russell and Dolores Wood. She loved traveling and was drawn to the salty air and golden sands of the beach. You could find her curled up on the couch during the evenings, horchata in hand and watching Hallmark movies. She was quite the fashionista, dressing trendy and styling her hair a thousand different ways. All her children and grandchildren were the pride and joy of her life, and she was fiercely devoted to her Savior and family. Tess possessed a kind of light, light that brought warmth and love to all those she came into contact with. You could see it when she was spending time laughing with her husband, or reading to her grandchildren, the gentle hug and soft "I love you" she would say when parting ways.  She was passionate about nursing and loved getting to help others, never once meeting a stranger, her patients always left better than when they arrived. 

Left to honor Tess’ legacy and remember her love are her husband, Rick Bokal; her 8 children, Derrick (Lachelle) Freshour, Bryce (Cassandra Luna) Samuels, Demi Bokal (Dylan Monteith), Hope Samuels, Paige Samuels, Kaitlin (Adam) Griffin, Kaleigh Bokal, and Meagan Bokal; her 3 grandchildren, Declan Freshour, Abigail Freshour, and Easton Samuels; her siblings, Camie (Jeff) Best and Donald Sampley, and her father William Russell. Tess was preceded in death by her mother, Dolores Wood, daughter Sabina Samuels, brothers Jimmy Mark and Bill Jr., and sister April Sampley. 

Tess’ celebration of life service will be on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 1:00 pm, at Gray Funeral Home, 202 W 2nd, Grandfield, Oklahoma. Public visitation will be held beforehand from 10:00-1:00 pm. Burial will follow at the Devol Cemetery, in Devol, Oklahoma. 

Tess will be remembered for her beautiful soul, always impacting every life she came into contact with. She models for us now, the contentment found only in Christ Jesus, living as a daughter of the most high King in eternity forever.