Twala Gayle Kelly
1946-2017
Twala Gayle Kelly, aged 71, died peacefully on August 13, 2017, surrounded by her family, after a long and courageous struggle with cancer. Twala was born July 22, 1946, in Granite, Oklahoma, the daughter of Roy Thacker and Mary Askins Thacker.
Twala graduated from Putnam City High School and attended Oklahoma Christian College, where she obtained her bachelor's degree in early childhood education. Twala taught elementary school in Kansas City before deciding to stay at home to raise her children.
Twala married the love of her life, Jimmie Clyde Kelly, on July 18, 1992, in Edmond, Oklahoma. She moved to Frederick, Oklahoma, where she returned to her professional passion of teaching kindergarten. Jimmie and Twala enjoyed farming and nature, but most of all, spending time with family. They were also active members of the Frederick Church of Christ.
Twala was preceded in death by her husband Jimmie; sisters, Glenna and Patsy; and her parents, Roy and Mary. She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Adair, and her husband Chris of Edmond, Oklahoma; daughter, Melissa Handke, and husband Gus of Healdton, Oklahoma; son, Brad Thomas, and wife Courtney of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; stepson, Kerry Kelly of Germany; and stepdaughter, Jana Hill, and husband James of Edmond, Oklahoma.
She is also survived by her eight grandchildren: Sydney Hill, Grant Hill, Connor Adair, Caton Adair, London Handke, Gunner Handke, Crew Thomas and Collins Thomas. She also leaves behind three sisters: Jo Hill, Nita Williams and Janet Hudelson, along with numerous other family members and friends.
A funeral service will be held at Memorial Road Church of Christ in Edmond on August 18 at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery in Oklahoma City. The family will greet friends at a viewing on August 17, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Matthews Funeral Home in Edmond. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent in Twala's name to Integris Hospice House, 4334 NW Expressway, Suite 106, Oklahoma City, OK, 73116.