“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” - Psalm 116:15
Tuly Palma Felean of Paducah, Kentucky, age 92, entered into everlasting rest on July 29, 2025, after a remarkable life filled with faith, love, and service. Her faith is now sight, and her reward, great.
Known affectionately as “Grandmama” to all who loved her, Tuly was born in Camagüey, Cuba, on December 13, 1932, to Arturo and Dulce Palma. In 1953, she married the love of her life, U.S. Marine Corps and World War II veteran Sam Felean. They began their life together in Detroit and moved to Paducah in 1971. Tuly and Sam shared nearly 60 years of marriage before his passing, just one month shy of their anniversary.
While Tuly was an optometrist, a licensed beautician, and worked in child development, her greatest joy and calling was as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She cherished nature and animals, especially the small and gentle ones. An enthusiastic patriot, she passionately loved her adopted country, proudly becoming a U.S. citizen in 1968.
Most of all, Tuly will be remembered as a woman of deep and devoted prayer. Her journals are filled with hours of intercession-for her family, her church, her country, and the spread of God’s love around the world. Her life was saturated in praise, beginning each morning with a resounding, “Thank you, Lord, for your beautiful world!” and often closing conversations with, “See you in Jerusalem!” She was a member of Spanish River Church in Boca Raton, Florida.
Tuly is survived by her sister, Coty Estenoz, 93, of Miami, Florida; her three children: Chico Felean (Linda), Kim Jones (Keith), and Toni Cassidy (David); eight grandchildren: Jason Felean, Sam Felean, Jessica Norsworthy (James), Ashley Wright (Sam), Toni Nicole Phelps (Luke), Sean Cassidy (Jacquelyn), Claire Fain (Dean), and Anna Cassidy; and ten great-grandchildren: Lyla Felean, Layne West, Cohen West, Collins James Norsworthy, Henry Wright, Harrison Wright, Lillian Phelps, Davis Phelps, Josiah Cassidy, and Vivian Cassidy.
Tuly was preceded in death by her husband, Sam Felean; her parents; and her sister, Alina Ester Palma Rivas.
A private family graveside service will be held in the near future, at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Paducah.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to, the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675 or the McCracken County Humane Society, 4000 Coleman Rd, Paducah, KY 42001.
Cremation arrangements are being handled by Milner & Orr Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Paducah.
Share a memory or leave a message for the family at www.milnerandorr.com.
