Lalia L. Jolly was born November 25, 1939, and passed from this life on January 13, 2022, after a brief illness. Born to Floyd and Bonnie Carter, Lalia lived her entire life in Wynnewood, Oklahoma.
She was an active member of First Baptist Church of Wynnewood and a devout Christian wife and mother. Her family rejoices in knowing she loved the Lord and has begun her eternity in Heaven.
Lalia married Ray Jolly on April 12, 1958, and from this union came three children: Steven, Hal, and Lezlee.
Lalia will long be remembered for her passions of nursing and cooking. She was a registered nurse and spent many years working at Pauls Valley General Hospital, where she finished her career as Director of Nurses. She loved caring for others and took pride in her crisply pressed white uniform, complete with a nurse’s hat, polished shoes, and her name tag and pins. Many times, when a family member was introduced as a Jolly around Garvin County, the response would be, “Is your mom a nurse?” It was almost always followed with “She was one of the best nurses I ever had, and she took such good care of me or my family member.” Her second calling was cooking and baking for others. She spent most of her days in the kitchen – either at home or fixing funeral dinners at the church. She touched the lives of so many through her desire to connect by providing and serving others with her specially prepared dishes – especially bread and hot rolls.
In recent years, Lalia’s favorite pastime and obsession was professional golf. She could be found in front of the television Thursday through Sunday cheering on her favorite player, Phil Mickelson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ray, and her brother Floyd Leslie Carter.
She is survived by her three children: Daughter Lezlee Vickers and husband Steve of Sapulpa, OK; son Hal Jolly of Pauls Valley, OK and son Steven Jolly and wife Robin of Sulphur, OK. She was “Gran” to grandchildren Tiffani Thomas and husband Aaron, Lance Jolly and wife Donna, Chelsea Quzma and husband Tony, Tawni Vickers, Jantzen Miller and husband Shawn, McLane Jolly and wife Jess, and Hope Jolly. Great-grandchildren include Kadenze and Kallie Quzma, Dylan Kate and Axl Thomas, Landon Jolly, and soon to arrive Shepherd Miller.
A memorial service will be held on January 27, 2022 at First Baptist Church in Wynnewood Oklahoma at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the kitchen ministry at First Baptist Church, 1515 E. Robert S Kerr Blvd, Wynnewood, OK 73098
