Lyla Marie Sparks

Lyla Marie Hayes-Sparks passed away with loving family by her side on March 14, 2022, at the age of 78 years. Born in Wichita, Kansas on September 3, 1943, she was the daughter of Lawrence Lyle and Vera (Aupperle) Hayes.

After graduating from Wichita High School Southeast Lyla attended Kansas State University, majoring in History, where she met Dean Sparks. They married on May 5, 1962, at her parents' house in Wichita. Daughter Lori was born while they were living in Manhattan, Kansas and son Lance followed 2 years later in 1964 in New York where Dean was pursuing an advanced degree.

Lyla, Lori and Lance eventually landed in Ponca City, OK where she lived for the next 40+ years on the Hayes Family Homestead that her ancestors settled during the Cherokee Strip Land Run of 1893. In January 2021 her declining health necessitated her move to Okmulgee, OK to be closer to Lori. She was a needlework master and many of her works adorn the homes of her loved ones. She also had a passion for reading books of all genre, especially history, and was the family historian. Thanks to her and her dad Lyle's hard work her family members know the stories of their ancestors and will be able to pass that information down to future generations. She was smart and witty and retained her Hayes sense of humor right up to the end.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence Lyle and Vera Hayes; brothers, Lewis L. Hayes and William L. Hayes.

Lyla leaves many loving memories with her family, daughter Lori Fry and spouse Greg; son Lance Sparks and spouse Kathleen; grandchildren Allan Fansler, Abbey Fansler, Michael Sparks, Harry Sparks; along with many other loving relatives.

A private family gathering celebrating Lyla's life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are entrusted to Schaudt's Glenpool Funeral Service & Cremation Care, 719 East 141st Street, Glenpool, OK 74033. Family and friends may leave kind words of comfort, special memories and condolences to the family online at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com