Pauline Tankersley

Pauline Philomena Olsovsky Tankersley, 100 years and 9 months old, passed away on April 18, 2026, at West Rest Haven Nursing Home in West, Texas.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waco, Texas. Interment will follow the service at Rosemound Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home of Waco.

Pauline was born to Adolf Olsovsky and Millie Knacmer at home in Elm Mott, Texas, on June 23, 1925. She married Billy Charles Tankersley on July 22, 1950, at St. Mary’s of Waco.

She was born into a farming family, which instilled a strong work ethic in her life. She gave endlessly to her family. Pauline attended Gerald and West High School. Mama had a strong faith, and by the grace of God, she persevered. Pauline experienced the Great Depression, World War II, and was in downtown Waco during the deadly 1953 tornado. Mama had stories to tell.

Pauline was proud of her Czech heritage. She loved gardening, polka music, and playing dominoes. At the nursing home, she played bingo and dominoes with her friends until the end.

Pauline was preceded in death by her husband; her son, Billy Joe Tankersley; her parents; her siblings, Carrie Tobola and Albert Olsovsky; and her sons-in-law, James Price and Mike Waters.

She is survived by her daughters, Evelyn Price and Carol Waters; her granddaughter, Carrie Watkins and husband Danny Watkins; her grandsons, Jimmy Price, Michael Waters, and Phillip Tankersley; as well as her great-granddaughter, Alyssa Rogers and husband Jacob Robers; her great-grandson, Ayden Watkins; and her great-great-grandson, Waylon Rogers.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Price, Michael Waters, Danny Watkins, Jacob Rogers, and Brandon Bonge.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Alvin Soukup, Albert Olsovsky, Larry Hogg, and Eric Boswell.

We invite you to leave a message or memory of Pauline in her “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.