Ella Mae (Puckett) Winkler was born on June 25, 1946, in Gladewater, Texas, to Steve Austin Puckett and Elda Mae (Simmons) Puckett. Ella passed from this life on December 3, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma surrounded by those she loved.
Ella grew up in Garvin County, Oklahoma, where she attended Story and Parks Schools and developed a love for basketball. Her childhood was filled with simple joys and close-knit family moments—one of her favorites being playing softball in the yard with her siblings, hitting pop flies back and forth for hours. Ella later attended Elmore City High School, graduating with the Class of 1964. In the early 1990s, she continued her education at the University of Oklahoma, focusing on administration.
A woman of faith, Ella was raised attending the Assembly of God Church in Maysville, Oklahoma. She loved to sing and was known for her beautiful voice, often lifting her songs in praise during services.
Ella dedicated her career to caring for others. She began as an assistant administrator at the Wynnewood Nursing Home and later became the head administrator of what is now the Pauls Valley Health and Rehab Center. Her compassion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to her residents and staff continued until her retirement.
Outside of work, Ella found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She loved exploring new restaurants—especially local favorites like McGee's in Stratford and Mimi's in Pauls Valley. At home, her homemade soup and goulash were famous in the family, treasured recipes that no one has ever been able to quite replicate. Ella enjoyed western movies and could quote the Jesse Stone films by heart. She was also a devoted Tom Selleck fan. Each evening, she played Words with Friends with her sister, where her competitive spirit always shone through.
Family was the center of Ella's world. She cherished hearing stories from her grandson who took cooking classes and loved sharing her own in return. Her grandchildren—Zane, Larrett, and Laren were the lights of her life, alongside her beloved sons and extended family. Ella instilled in her children the values she lived by every day: discipline, hard work, honesty, and the importance of always praying to God. Ella will be remembered for her warm heart, her steadfast faith, and the love she poured into her family and community.
Ella is survived by her sons, Shayne Winkler and wife Melissa of Wynnewood, Oklahoma, Wade Winkler and fiancé Angie Worsham of Wynnewood, Oklahoma; Brother, James Puckett and wife Elvira of Maysville, Oklahoma; Sisters, Nelda Burns of Ardmore, Oklahoma, Carolyn Powers and husband Larry of Elmore City, Oklahoma; Grandchildren, Zane Dill of Colorado, Larrett Winkler of Wynnewood, Oklahoma, Laren Winkler of Wynnewood, Oklahoma; and a host of nieces, nephew, family and friends.
Ella was preceded in death by her daughter, Sherry Renee Winkler; her parents, Steve Austin Puckett and Elda Mae (Simmons) Puckett.
Services for Ella will be on Monday, December 8, 2025 at 2:00 P.M. at Wooster Funeral Home in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. Visitation for Ella will be on Friday, December 5, 2025 from 9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. and Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. If you would like to send your condolences to the family you may do so at www.woosterfuneralhomes.com