Bobbie Jean Lyons

Bobbie Jean resided in Edmond, OK with her beloved husband, Jack, since their retirement in 1992. She was an active member of Edmond First United Methodist Church and participated in various church activities, including United Methodist Women and Whiz Kids.

Born in Saucier, MS on September 10, 1935, Bobbie Jean was the third of four children blessed to the home of Thomas and Zemily Eva Gill, where she learned a loving and nurturing way by which she was known for the rest of her life. Bobbie Jean married the love of her life, Jack, on May 26, 1951. For several years Bobbie Jean lived the life of a soldier’s wife with Jack’s service in the US Army. But it was Jack’s entry into ministry in the Methodist Church in 1960 that fulfilled Bobbie Jean’s girlhood dream—to become a preacher’s wife. Growing up in the Saucier Methodist Church, Bobbie Jean dreamed of being the pastor’s wife and standing outside church on Sunday mornings and holding his Bible. Bobbie Jean and Jack lived this dream as they served various Methodist Churches in Oklahoma from 1960 until their retirement in 1992, including postings at Lawton, Alfalfa, Lucien, Kremlin, Nash, Jefferson, Renfrow, Oklahoma City, Enid, Tecumseh, Okarche and Elgin. Through their journeys with the church Bobbie Jean established many life-long friendships.

Bobbie Jean attended high school at Perkinston Agricultural High School in Perkinston, MS, and later attended Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa and Central State University in Edmond. She served for several years as a special education teacher in Enid, Oklahoma City and Bethel Acres.

Bobbie Jean is survived by her loving husband Jack, of the home, son Tom of Edmond and his children Stephanie (Chuck) Cheek and Christopher (Sarah) Lyons, son Mike (Ellen) of Edmond and their children Allison (fiancé Mitch McGrew), Chance and Holden Lyons, and great grandchildren Aaron and Carson Cheek and Olivia Lyons. Bobbie Jean was known to this family (and many friends) as Grand Bobbie, and she relished in the time that she spent with her precious family. She is also survived by her older and beloved brother Clinton (Phyllis) Gill of Hattiesburg, MS and sister-in-law Gail Gill of Lucedale, MS, as well as a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins and their children and grandchildren.

Bobbie Jean was preceded in death by both of her parents Tom and Zemily Gill, her step-father Arthur Shaw, her dear sister Doris McQueen and baby brother Fred Gill.

Bobbie Jean was so looking forward to reuniting with her departed family. As a friend recently noted, Bobbie Jean did not seek nor was she afraid of death, but she was ready to go and wanted only to serve as an example of how God worked through his children. She will be missed.

A memorial service for Bobbie Jean is pending through Hahn Cook Street and Draper Funeral Home.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Edmond First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.