She is survived by:
One daughter:
Casey Lee Aguilar
Two sons:
Gabriel Lucas “Gabe” Aguilar and wife Jaime
James Joseph “Joey” Aguilar
Two sisters:
Katherine Beshirs
Gypsy Ann Towne
Other loved one:
Karli Albert – mother of Kenzlee, Kenna, and Lawson
Her grandchildren:
Kaydence, Kalleigh, Wynter, Hayden, Bentley, Gaitlin, Kenzlee, Kenna, Lawson, Rachel, Jaime, Jessie, John, Natalie, Emily, and Lillian
Numerous great-great-grandchildren
Numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends
She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Gladys Whitmore; and granddaughter, Rayleigh Aguilar.
Tanja passed quietly, leaving behind a family who will forever miss her music, her sharp wit, and her unmistakable presence (which, truthfully, was never subtle). She was a longtime resident of the area and retired from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, where she worked in the Law Library for 14 years. Tanja was a gifted singer and a wonderful pianist, filling rooms—and sometimes entire the church with music. Through her time at Freedom House Church, she found her purpose again, and her faith and talent became a blessing to many who had the joy of worshiping alongside her.
Tanja was also proudly ornery and never particularly impressed by men. She kept her reflexes sharp and her shin-whacking skills finely tuned, often practicing on any unfortunate soul who wandered too close or tested their luck. Consider it a life lesson delivered swiftly and without apology.
Looking back now, those moments bring laughter first… and then a heaviness of heart. Her music, her stubborn strength, her quick reactions, and her one-of-a-kind personality leave a space that cannot be filled, only smiled about.
Tanja was deeply loved, unapologetically herself, and will be remembered always especially by those who learned to keep a respectful distance.
Memorial service to celebrate Tanja’s life will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at the Freedom House Fellowship Church in Heavener, Oklahoma with Brother Sam Dyer officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the care of Dowden-Roberts Funeral & Cremation Service in Heavener, Oklahoma.
To sign Tanja’s guestbook, go to dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.
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