Nora Leola Pyle

August 27, 1924 - June 25, 2013

Nora Leola Burcham Pyle was born in Eola, Oklahoma on August 27, 1924 to Lonie Larkin Burcham and Bedie Delenor (Flud) Burcham. She was the baby of the family of four children. She lived in the Elmore City area all her life with the exception of a few months she and Bill lived in California. Leola was married to R. D. (Bill) Pyle on December 24, 1941. They have been married almost 72 years. She is survived by her husband, Bill, son, Bobby Pyle and his wife Patsy of Maysville and daughters, Joan Barnett and Lila Parker of Maysville. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Leroy Barnett of Oklahoma City, Lisa Barnett of Moore, Youllonda Driver and husband Chris of Katy, TX, Carrie Ann Arter and husband Daryl of Lindsey, OK and Coy Pyle and wife Glynnis of Broken Arrow, OK. She is survived by nine great-grandchildren: Lila Joan Thompson and husband Don, Eli Pyle, Noah Pyle, Taylor Arter, Kaleb Arter, Kayla Driver, Kylie Arter, Kendyl Driver and Kody Driver. She is survived by three great-great-grandchildren: Bailey Thompson, Austin Thompson and Kelsey Thompson. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Monroe Cowboy Burcham and two sisters, Vera Mae Harrell and Era Pearl Patton. Leola was baptized into Christ as a very young girl in Salt Creek. Feeling she was not knowledgeable enough in her actions as a young child, she was baptized again in 1946 when Bill was baptized and they raised their family in the Elmore City Church of Christ. Leola worked in a grocery store as a clerk and several cafes as a waitress through the years. In her younger years as a wife and mother she worked in the fields helping Bill farm and helped raise a garden every year. She spent countless hours canning fresh vegetables and fruits. Her home was immaculate and her children always clean. While Bill was working for Kerr McGee she got up every morning at 5:30 and made fresh, home-made biscuits when she cooked his breakfast. She was a caring and concerned Mother who tried to know at all times where her kids were, what they were doing and who they were with. None of her family ever left the house with a spot on their clothing or without their clothing being ironed. She faithfully attended her children’s school events. Leola was an exceptional seamstress and made almost all her children’s clothes and her own when the children were young. She fashioned shirts, coats, shorts, dresses, gowns, pajamas and house coats from whatever material was available. She also made curtains, table cloths and many quilts. Leola commented several times many years ago that she wanted Curtis Kennedy to preach her funeral. When asked why, she replied, “Because he knows what a good mother I was.” Every year as one of her kid’s birthday rolled around she recounted the story of their birth and included details of how happy she was when they were born and how thrilled Bill was with the new baby. She would talk about how wonderful she felt when that baby was laid in her arms the very first time. Leola left this world for a better one on Tuesday, June 25th at the age of 88 years, 9 months and 29 days at 8:37 P.M. while Bill sat by her bed and held her hand. She is survived by a family who loved her and a host of friends. Funeral services were held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 27, 2013 in the Elmore City Church of Christ with Joe Terrell officiating. Interment was in the Elmore City Cemetery under the direction of Wooster Funeral Home. You may send a condolence to the family at www.woosterfuneralhomes.com