Cynthia Ann Tullos, 66, a beloved mother, sister, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 14, 2026, in Alexandria, surrounded by her loving family. Born on January 27, 1960, in Fort Worth, Texas, Cynthia was the cherished daughter of Joseph and Mildred Martin Tullos, who preceded her in death. She was also predeceased by her beloved daughter, Bridget Book, and her sister, Peggy Tullos.
Cynthia was one of those rare people whose warmth could be felt almost immediately. She was funny, affectionate, thoughtful, extraordinarily generous, and deeply caring. She never had much materially, but somehow always found something to give. If someone needed help, she wanted to help them-sometimes so generously that her daughters had to intervene and remind her that she couldn’t give everything away. That was simply who she was. She had a wonderful wit and an unmistakable laugh. She loved people fiercely and showed it freely. She hugged, she laughed, she fed you, and she made you feel loved. She was also wonderfully stubborn-perhaps one of the most stubborn people her family ever knew-and those who loved her wouldn’t have had her any other way.
Cynthia had a wild, adventurous, almost childlike spirit. She was happiest outdoors, with her hands in the dirt or exploring somewhere new. She gardened, wandered through the woods, picked up snakes, caught lizards and frogs, fished and crabbed, and was never particularly interested in staying clean or indoors. She could stick anything in the ground, and it was going to grow. She would stop in the middle of the road to help a turtle cross. There was always an adventure to be found. Her family still laughs about the those days.
South Louisiana held a particularly special place in her heart. She loved the food, the people and the culture. She was an incredible Cajun cook who rarely needed a recipe. She loved stopping along the road for an ice chest full of fresh shrimp, going fishing on the bayou, to the old plantations and seeing the beautiful oak trees. She loved bringing everyone together around food. She also gave her daughters, Elizabeth and Bridget, a lifelong love of New Orleans. She took them to the zoo and aquarium, wandered through shops and restaurants with them, brought them to museums and galleries, and took them to see the Christmas lights in City Park. She didn’t simply take her girls places-she taught them to notice things. Art, food, beautiful spaces, interesting people, different cultures and the joy of discovering somewhere new. She encouraged both of her daughters to pursue their creativity and supported them as they went on to study the arts.
Her sense of adventure eventually took her much farther from home. When Elizabeth graduated from high school, Cynthia and Elizabeth moved to Malaysia with Elizabeth’s father. Mother and daughter suddenly found themselves driving on the opposite side of the road without speaking a word of Malay-and Cynthia embraced it. They explored markets, caves and rainforests, took road trips to tea plantations and pottery shops, and collected the kinds of stories that would be retold for the rest of their lives. Cynthia loved that chapter of her life and carried her love of travel with her, later spending time with family in China, Hong Kong, California, Seattle and wherever else life took her. She loved remembering where she came from, too. She talked about playing basketball when she was young, the Mustang she adored, old friends and stories from growing up. She loved her siblings deeply and could happily spend hours reminiscing about the people and adventures that shaped her.
But there was no greater joy in Cynthia’s life than her grandson, Owen. To Owen, she was Grammie-and Grammie and Owen were best friends. They could video chat for hours. When they were together, she became every bit as much a child as he was. They played all day, laughed at their own jokes, and created a little world that belonged to the two of them. During the four months she recently spent living with Elizabeth’s family, Cynthia looked forward every morning to hearing the pitter-patter of Owen’s feet. And one of Owen’s first questions of the day was inevitably, “Can I go wake Grammie up?” When they were apart, Cynthia watched his videos and looked through his pictures over and over again. Anyone who spoke with her recently knew about Owen, because sooner or later-usually sooner-Grammie was going to tell you about him. The love between them was extraordinary, completely uncomplicated, and pure joy. Her family will make sure Owen grows up knowing just how completely his Grammie adored him.
Cynthia’s later years were not easy. After suffering a traumatic brain injury in a serious automobile accident in 2005, she faced years of difficult health problems. She could be terribly hard on herself, but she was also incredibly tough. Again and again, she worked to get better. She endured more than most people knew and fought extraordinarily hard. Only a few months before Cynthia’s death, the family suffered the devastating loss of her daughter, Bridget-her beloved “BB.” It was a grief beyond words. Cynthia missed her desperately. There is comfort now in imagining that after such a long fight, Mama is finally at peace with her girl. For those who loved her, however, there will always be an empty place where her laughter should be.
Cynthia leaves behind so much more than can ever fit into an obituary: gardens and recipes that were never written down, ridiculous stories and great adventures, meals shared around a table, New Orleans charm, road trips through Malaysia, muddy hands, old friends, laughter, photographs, and a little boy who knew without question that his Grammie thought he hung the moon. She was precious. She was funny. She was generous beyond reason. She was stubborn and adventurous and affectionate and completely herself. She was Mama, Sister, Cyn Cyn.. She was Grammie. And she was so very loved.
She is survived by her loving daughter, Elizabeth McKim, and her husband, Daniel, as well as her cherished grandson, Owen McKim, who brought immense joy to her life. Cynthia’s memory will also be cherished by her brother, Randy Tullos and his wife Janne, her sisters, Cathy Tullos, and Kim Swarts and her husband Scott. She leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives who will forever hold her in their hearts.
A celebration of Cynthia’s life will take place on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM at New Life Pentecostal Church in Manifest with Rev. David Poole and Alison Parker officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2026 from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM at New Life Pentecostal Church in Manifest. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to gather and honor the remarkable life of a woman who meant so much to so many.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Adam Book, Gerald Tullos, Scott Swarts, Scottie Swarts, Little Joe Tullos, and Timbo Patten.
Cynthia Ann Tullos will be dearly missed, yet her spirit will live on in the hearts of all who were touched by her love and grace. May she rest in peace, reunited with her beloved family in eternal serenity.