Obituary for Lila Champlin

Lila Lee (Cummins) Champlin

June 26, 1943 ~ July 3, 2022 (age 79)

On Sunday, July 3, 2022 Lila Lee Champlin, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away at her home in Ponca City OK at the age of 79.

Lila was born on June 26, 1943 in Arkansas City, KS to Harold Oscar Cummins and Jewel Cummins.

She had many fond memories helping her father custom harvest. While in high school, she loved working at her Aunts Cafe waitressing and talking to all the customers. During that time, she met the man she knew she wanted to marry, Marvin Cr,amplin. They Married in 1963 and created two beautiful children. Nicole Diane and Larry Dean Champlin.

After Marvin started working for Conoco, the family moved to Ponca City Ok. During this time his job transferred them to many places to live such as Louisiana, California, Montana and Alaska. In 1975 Lila began her own career at Conoco in Communications.

Lila eventually moved to Houston, TX transferring with Conoco to be with her lifelong companion Bill Jenkins and soon planned to retire and travel together. Bill passed away shortly after this and Lila decided to move back to Ponca City to be closer to her son and grandchildren. She has always loved gardening and especially taking care of her flower beds. Her favorite flower was the Purple Violet. She had a great love for animals including her pet Raccoons, her Love Birds and dogs Bell and Scotty. Opera was something she truly enjoyed listening to. Since Lila was able to travel to so many different places, she was able to fulfill one of her passions. Antiques were a passion of hers and she had many special pieces of furniture and artwork that she was able to collect from around the world. She could tell you every detail about every piece she had.

Not only did Lila have a loving companion in Bill, she had a very special friend. Eva Morgan. Eva and Lila’s families often were transferred to many of the same places through Conoco. This created such a special and loving friendship that has continued on to this day.

Lila’s cousin Philip Marr had a special place in her heart as well. He was always available to give her a helping hand, and during Harvest, they spent so much time together, they became very close and loved having heart to heart conversations.

Lila is survived by her son, Larry (Lisa) Champlin, Son in law Bryan Gray, Grandchildren Noelle (John) Brien, Aaron Champlin, Logan Champlin, Lauren Champlin, Nicolas Gray, Lane Weant and Lacy Weant. Great Grandchildren Justin Brien, J.B. Brien, and Madalynn Champlin. As well as Best Friends Eva Morgan and Sue Rozell.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, Harold and Jewel Cummins, Her siblings Brenda Lankford and twin brother Larry Lon Cummins, Her daughter Nicole Gray, her first husband Marvin Champlin, and her lifetime partner Bill Jenkins.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Monday, July 11, 2022 at Life Center Church, 1300 W Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK through Grace Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow directly afterwards at the Riverview Cemetery in Arkansas City, KS.

Lila will have a viewing on Sunday, July 10, from 2- 4 PM. Online guest registry is available at www.gracememorialchapel.net. Memorials can be made to the Humane Society.