On October 27, 2026 Cozette Darlene Sinor Tunnell took her long awaited and anticipated trip to the other side of this world. For some time before her death she had talked about going to see her husband and sisters. When we told her we wanted her here, she told us we had our own journeys and that she had done all she could for us. 

Cozette was born to Lillian Mae Rolo and James Wilburn Sinor on April 14, 1932 in Buford, Arkansas. She had one older brother, Jimmy, and later became the big sister to Dolores and Macel Arlene, all who preceded her in death. She lost her mother at a young age and became the mother figure to her sisters for several years as they moved through Arkansas, Michigan, California, Montana and Washington State. In 1949, at the age of 17, she met and married the love of her life, James Tunnell. They stayed together for 48 years until his sudden passing in August of 1998. 

Cozette and Jim had 5 children and lived in a single wide trailer towed by a 3 ton truck as they followed work around the country and went on adventures together. It was in Sun River Montana they became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and grew in faith. They ended up in Hope, Idaho because they had gone there on a side trip and Jim decided he liked it so much, they would just live there. Eventually they migrated to Washington state where they finally traded the trailer for an A House in Richland. Except for an 8-year return 

to Idaho, they made their home in Washington State for the past 50 some years, with their children: Paul Sr (Annie), James (Linda), Guy (Heidi), Michael (Krinda), and Melinda (Randy). Although the family has scattered a bit and changed a lot over the years, she dearly loved each in-law and ‘out-law’ (as she put it) as her own. They brought joy, laughter, and opportunities for growth to her life every day. Cozette’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren numbered 78 (with 2 on the way) at the time of her passing. She was preceded in death by 4 grandchildren, Joseph Charles, Travis, Jonathan, and Becky. She would tell anyone who happened to be close enough to hear her that she strongly believed her progeny were all exceptional, every last one.

While living in the A House in Richland Washington our home was a haven for the friends of her children. Every morning before school the house was full of boys coming over for breakfast, as well as spaghetti dinners before a cross counrty meet. Mom fed them, Dad teased them. They knew our parents’ home was a safe place when they didn’t always have one. Many of these men still remember Cozette and Jim and liked to visit her and talk about how much they enjoyed having our parents and their house as a second home.

Cozette was incredibly intelligent and exceptionally talented, something Jim always admired and loved about her. In the early 1970s, while Jim was off work for a few years due to a back injury, they went back to school together. First they took night classes at Richland High School to finish their GEDs, then on to CBC to earn their 2 year degrees (where Cozette was regularly on the Deans list). She loved fiber arts and knitted and crocheted circles around anyone else. She won prizes at county fairs, made exquisite dolls that are true heirlooms, made stuffed toys, sewed countless dresses and other clothing for her kids, grandkids and others. We could show her any craft project, stuffed toy or item of clothing and her response was always “I can make that”. She hand tatted lace, did needlepoint, cross-stitched and was a wonderful cook. One Thanksgiving she made 27 homemade pies ( as well as an entire Thanksgiving dinner big enough to feed 30!) She loved technology and was the first on her block to have a VCR, satellite dish, a microwave, and even a home computer. When Mom got an upgrade, so did several other family members. When someone needed IT help, we called Mom. Her I-Pad was cooler than yours. She loved learning and didn’t believe a degree was the be-all-end-all of anything. She encouraged her children’s interests, hobbies and vocations, believing we could do anything we set our minds to. 

Cozette loved fiercely, spoke plainly, and was generous with her time, talents, and resources. Her legacy is one of family card games, learning, common sense, love, faith, and belonging. Her laughter lingers still. She was ready to move on and was confident in the legacy she was leaving behind to carry on her values and stories with love.

Cozette’s service will be held on Saturday, November 14th, 2026 at the LDS Jadwin Chapel at 1321 Jadwin Ave. Richland WA, at 10am. A family dinner will be provided after the service.