PAWHUSKA, Okla. -- A community is in mourning after losing one of Pawhuska's most distinguished and loved woman at the age of 100.
Sally Carroll, owner of the famous Sally's Cafe since 1949, passed away Tuesday, but leaves behind a legacy that can't be forgotten.
The cafe has been closed about 5 years since Sally retired at 95, although the store front remains. However, residents in Pawhuska said, now that sally has passed, the reality of the cafe has really set in
It was nestled in the heart of downtown, where it sat, quaint and worn with years of family style cooking.
“Tuesday was tamales and everybody wanted tamales,” Jody Martin, owner of Hometown TV and Appliances said.
The memories of the cafe run deep. “Sally's was a place where you know, on cheers where Norm would walk in and everybody would say, ‘Norm!’” Martin said.
It was a place that felt like home. To Martin, it practically was. “Basically I've been here a little over 39 years,” Martin said. His business shares a wall with Sally's cafe.
“Sally was quite a bit like a surrogate grandmother I guess,” Martin said.
Between breakfasts and lunches, Martin never went hungry as long as sally was working. Her passing at 100 years old, a true tragedy for the town.
“It’s going to be tough.” But the history of Sally's is everywhere. “This was a small bowl that she would serve chili in the restaurant,” Martin said.
The belonging's Sally left behind are now prized possessions for her customers. “I can always remember a smiling face.”
The stories behind the cafe doors live on, but unfortunately remain closed for good. “No one to fill those shoes, no,” Martin said.
Because for the town of Pawhuska, no one can replace Sally.
Her funeral is set for Friday, and resident's said to expect the town to be empty. They said if they had to guess, everyone will be at the service, saying goodbye a woman who will be sorely missed.
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