Tara Nicole Underwood

1989 - 2024

Tara Nicole Underwood
Feb. 3, 1989 – June 18, 2024

Visitation for Tara will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024, in the Sequoyah Memorial Chapel of Forever Memories Funeral Services in Sallisaw.
The funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, 2024, in the Sequoyah Memorial Chapel of Forever Memories Funeral Services in Sallisaw.
Tara Nicole Underwood, 35, of Sallisaw, passed away on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Tara was born to Joseph (Randy) Barnett and Tammy Applegate in Bamberg, Germany, on Feb. 3, 1989. Tara was a 2007 Alma High School graduate and obtained her associate's degree. Tara was the Office Administrator for La Ferry's Propane in Gans.
Tara, a loving fiancé, dedicated mother, cherished daughter, adored sister, a wonderful friend to many, and a true ray of sunshine, was tragically and senselessly stolen from us all. Tara illuminated the rooms she was in. Her smile was one of her most profound features, and when you close your eyes, you can see it perfectly, no matter how well you knew her. Her laughter is one of the most beautiful sounds you could ever imagine, and it will echo through eternity for all of us. Tara was full of love and life. Bringing communities together in her loss is a testament to how she made us all feel. Through this devastating loss, because of our love for Tara, we will remain close-knit, full of love and kindness to support her family and, most importantly, her children, who were the absolute most precious souls to her.
Tara is survived by her fiancé, Robert Bullock; their children, Hayden Bullock, JaeLee Jewel Johnson, Ethan Bullock, Jett James Johnson, Adalynn Bullock, and Scarlett Tru Underwood; her siblings, Tia Barnett–Howard and husband Michael, Flora Barnett, Molly, Erin, Emily, and Everett, her parents, Tammy and Kevin Applegate and Randy and Coatney Barnett, her grandparents, Granny Polly and Linda and James Clack, her niece, Merrina Howard, a dear cousin and friend Autumn Grant, as well as numerous other family members and friends that she was very close to.
She was preceded in death by her very best friend, Jenny Lloyd, a little brother, TJ Horton, and two cousins, Jace and Cade Blanque.
Visitation will be on Friday, June 28, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Sequoyah Memorial Chapel of Forever Memories Funeral Services in Sallisaw. Following the visitation, a candlelight vigil will be held at Forever Memories Funeral Services at dark. Tara's family would like to extend this invitation to Taylor Sharp's family and friends.
The funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, 2024, in the Sequoyah Memorial Chapel of Forever Memories Funeral Services in Sallisaw.
The family asks that you wear sunflowers or bright colors to the services to honor Tara and her memory.
Tara's final resting place will be Akins Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Ryan Westphal, Joe Bomor, Mike Barnett, Jared Brooks, Kyle Goodwin, and Jim Gillespie.
The family has entrusted the funeral arrangements to Forever Memories Funeral Services, INC, Sallisaw.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the Sequoyah County Sheriff's Department for their relentless pursuit, to all other law enforcement agencies that assisted with the search and investigation, and to those that will continue to seek justice for Tara.
The family can never thank the community enough for the love and support shown during this tragedy. They express their appreciation to the churches and individuals who continue to lift them up in prayer and are putting together events in their loved one's honor. Please continue the prayers; they feel them.
The family would like to inform the public of the benefit event for the families that will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at the Sallisaw Fairgrounds. Please plan to join us to continue celebrating their lives and share memories of our loved ones who were taken from us all way too soon.