Obituary for Emma “Emmie” Lyall

Emma Lilian (Morris) Lyall

November 8, 1926 ~ July 15, 2021 (age 94)

Emma Lilian (Morris) Lyall (94) of Ponca City, OK, was called Home on Thursday, July 15, 2021.

Emmie was born in Warrington, England on November 8, 1926, to John and Lizzie Morris. She received her early education at Bewsey Primary School, and made her mark in academics, swimming, and diving. During Emmie’s teenage years she graduated from secretarial college, held a full-time office position, excelled in ballroom dancing, bicycled the lanes of England with her chums, and along with her family and friends helped prepare her country to go to war. She volunteered with the Red Cross and ran from Nazi bombs in her hometown. Emma met her future American GI husband, Harold C. Lyall, Jr, while he was stationed at Burtonwood Air Force Base, England. It was at a Red Cross social that he asked her on their first date. Emmie’s parents welcomed him into their home as a second son. The couple were married at St Paul’s Church, April 28, 1945, and the following year they and their infant daughter, Susan, moved to Tonkawa, OK. Emmie earned her US citizenship shortly after.

Emmie was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Tonkawa for many years where she was active in her Sunday School class and as a deacon’s wife, served on various hospitality committees. She also enjoyed working at the Tonkawa Service Bank. Emmie was an avid gardener and a magnificent cook. Her English trifle dessert immediately endeared her to her new father-in-law, and her proper British tea parties were a favorite for family and friends. Among many other hobbies, she enjoyed ceramics and oil painting.

Harold and Emmie moved to Ponca City, OK in 1978, and became members of the First Baptist Church. She delighted in her new Sunday School class and made treasured friendships while she was able to be active. She resided in her home on Rosedale until she moved to Via Christi Sr Village in 2019.

Emmie is survived by her daughter, Dejon Lyall Ewing, of Ark City, KS, son, Tracy Lyall and his wife Karen, of Shawnee, OK, sister, Beryl Gunn of North Carolina. Five grandchildren: Scott Sutherland and his wife, Darci, Keri Sutherland, Piper Leigh, Taylor Lyall and his wife Vikki, and Karlin Wallace and her husband, Michael. Eight great-grandchildren, several great great-grandchildren, and numerous great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by sister-in-law Veda Tull, brother-in-law Guy Lyall and his wife Lois, and several nieces and nephews in England. Emmie was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, daughter Susan Sutherland and her husband Aaron, son-in-law Doug Ewing, parents John and Lizzie Morris, brother John and his wife Barbara, sister-in-law Geraldine Hurst and her husband Ike, J.D. “Cotton” Lyall and his wife, Willa Mae; Dr. Max Lyall; and brother-in-law Jim Tull.

Emmie leaves to her family and many friends a love for travel, the beauty found in nature, and a strong legacy of Christian faith and total trust in her Savior, Jesus.

In gratitude, memorials can be made to the First Baptist Church of Tonkawa.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Friday July 30, 2021 2:00 PM
First Baptist Church Chapel