Tandyla Darlene Hill

Tandyla was a woman of God, a steadfast partner in life to her late husband, and the biggest cheerleader for her children and grandchildren. She met her husband Barry when they were both teenagers. He worked at the grocery store her parents frequented and always found a way to make sure he took their bags to their car. They ultimately married on February 14, 1970 at Del City Church of Christ. Tandyla and Barry braved lean years together while Barry completed college and law school. Their marriage was blessed by three children: Barry Neal Hill II, Bronson Ryan Hill, and Tiffany Jordan Hill-Shepherd.

Tandyla grew up in Moore, Oklahoma, the oldest of two siblings. She valued learning and instilled it in herself, her children, and grandchildren. She excelled in school, finding strengths in everything from grammar, math, science, and music. She was the salutatorian of her class. Tandyla also harbored artistic talents that she was not able to fully utilize in school. But she still found ways to bring art into her life through painting and drawing. Her talent could always be seen through her distinctive penmanship that was found on cards, wedding invitations, and bibles. Following the death of her husband in 1995, she returned to college and was the leading student in her classes that included art history and drawing, along with accounting and latin.

She was the consummate classroom parent, bringing festivities and memorable artwork to school. She illustrated children’s books, created beautiful clothing, and generally made life more beautiful with the things she added to it. She decorated the halls of Northern Hills Elementary with her hallway displays for visiting authors, bringing their books to life on a grand scale. Later, she decorated the halls of Edmond Memorial and Edmond North High Schools in celebration of the Men’s and Women’s soccer teams when her children were playing. Tandyla also supported every athletic endeavor of her children by setting up her tripod to film games, organizing extensive scrapbooks, and creating ways to celebrate individual and team successes, and making brownies - always brownies.

Tandyla was overjoyed with her five grandchildren - all boys. She always found ways to support their interests, whether those ranged from jiu jitsu, elaborate science experiments, bowling, soccer, and just generally growing into healthy and happy young men.

Tandyla contributed to her church and her community. She was a member of Del City Church of Christ since 1952. Tandyla and her husband started the Sunday evening bible school at Del City Church of Christ. She also served as a lifetime member of the Oklahoma Christian University Women’s Association. As a member of the Edmond Women’s Club, she took great pride in chairing a scholarship committee focused on providing opportunities for young women. After her daughter participated in the Youth Leadership Exchange club, YLX recruited her to serve as a mentor.

She was also a citizen of the Chickasaw and Cherokee nations.

Tandyla is survived by her brother, Ronald Barr of Kingwood; sons Barry Hill and Bronson Hill and daughter Tiffany Jordan Hill-Shepherd; grandchildren Jace Hill, Tres Hill, Mason Hill, Grayson Hill, and Braxton Shepherd.