Lila Jean Killer

Lila Jean (Hays) Killer was born on February 11th, 1955 in Claremore, OK, the daughter of Vernon and Eldee (Russell) Hays. She grew up in the Oaks area, graduated from high school, then attended college at NSU. She grew up in a household with one brother, Russell and three sisters, Carol, Verna and Joyce. She met and married the love of her life, Mose Lee Killer and they were married at Oaks, OK. She attended school and finished with her Masters in Education. Lila worked as a Counselor for Tahlequah Public Schools for many years and finally retired from Cherokee Nation as a Adult Education Councelor where she helped many people. She never seemed to just sit down that she wasn’t doing something. If she wasn’t sewing ribbon shirts or tear dresses, she and Mose were watching the boys play softball and baseball. Her Native Dress Clothing won her several awards and is also kept at the Smithsonian. She spent hours in the house working to” Love Me Tender” by Elvis and the Everly Brothers “Cathy’s Clown” just to name a few. She loved to take the boys and go fishing and camping, and they traveled all over Oklahoma. Cookouts were another chance for Lila to impress you with her mouth watering chicken and dumplings, squirrel gravy, dressing and wild onions, fried fish and fry bread. She spent countless hours, doing family research and mapping out the family tree. She was proud of her family and the way of life they preserved. She was quiet, thoughtful and possessed a great sense of humor. She loved stories and learning how the family became who they were. A member of the First Indian Baptist Church, she watched out over young and old to ensure they were safe. Her husband died in 2021, and she did everything to keep his memory and the family growing strong. The Lord called this wonderful, hard working wife, mother and sister home from her many labors on February 13th, 2024 in Tahlequah, OK, surrounded by the family she loved so very much. She was 69 years old and will not be forgotten.

She has gone home to join her grandparents, Dan and Lizzy (Rogers) Russell and Harvey and Clarice (Embry) Hays. She also joins her mother, father, her husband Mose, two sisters, Verna Reed and Joyce Fry.

She is lovingly remembered by her sons, Jared Killer and Tyson Killer both of Tahlequah, OK, one brother, Russell Hays of Oaks, OK, and one sister, Carol Hall and husband Delbert of Siloam Springs, AR. She leaves her two adored grandchildren, Landon Killer of Roland, OK, and SkyLynn Killer of Stilwell, OK. She also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.

Pallbearers for Lila include Landon Killer, Michael Killer, Thomas Killer, Jeff Wacoche, Adam Wallace, and Anthony Gann. Honorary pallbearers include John Killer, Harold Killer, Michael Morris, Joe Bunch, Joe Byrd, and Billy Holcomb.

Funeral services for Lila Jean (Hays) Killer will be held on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024 at 12:30 PM at Reed-Culver Funeral Home with Reverend Jason Gann officiating. Her family will receive guests on Tuesday, February 20th, 2024 from 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM at Reed-Culver Funeral Home. She will be laid to rest on Wednesday at 2:30 at Ft.Gibson National Cemetery with her husband Mose.