Lilla Viola Higdon

Lilla Viola Higdon entered heaven's gates on November 20, 2025, at her home with her family.
Lilla was born to Charles Harold Codding and Bertha Viola (Whipple) Codding on March 31, 1945, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Lilla grew up on her family's ranch in Osage County, where she loved riding horses and being outdoors. Almost all of her childhood stories revolved around riding horseback across the pasture or even riding into Foraker to buy a Dr. Pepper at the local drug store. She graduated from Shidler High School in 1963 and moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma, to attend Oklahoma State University. While at OSU, she was involved in Block and Bridle, served as Aggie Princess, and was the OSU Homecoming Queen.
After graduating with a degree in Animal Husbandry in 1967, she married Isaac (Ike) Higdon at the Methodist Church Chapel in Stillwater on August 5, 1967. Ike's career led them to Sioux City, IA, where he was in the USDA meat grading service. It wasn't long before farming and ranching called them back to Fletcher, Oklahoma. In 1968, they moved to a farm southwest of Cyril, and in 1971, they settled at their current home place in Fletcher.
Lilla started her teaching career with Cyril Public Schools in 1971. She taught until 1976 when she took a break to care for her mother and start a family. Amy was born in 1977, and Keely in 1979. She stayed home with her babies until 1986, when she went back to teaching at Carnegie Public Schools. In 1988, she returned to Cyril Public Schools, where she taught upper-level science classes, including chemistry, physics, physiology/anatomy, and environmental science. Many hours were spent transporting plants back and forth to school, as well as caring for classroom fish and other small animals that students brought to class.
Lilla was a dedicated educator. She took teaching very seriously, getting to school early and staying late to tutor students. She attended many science academies in the summer to learn new ideas to teach her students. She would study her lessons nightly before presenting to her classes the next day. In addition to her teaching job, she attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK, driving back and forth on Monday nights to earn her master's degree in administration.
Lilla then took an assistant principal position at Cyril Public Schools while continuing to teach high school science. In addition, she obtained her superintendent's certificate. Lilla served as a class parent for many classes, pomped numerous floats, and worked many Cyril Fair booths. One of her favorite memories was taking a class trip to New Orleans and Walt Disney World.
Outside the classroom, Lilla was involved in many community causes. She served as the President of the Fletcher School Board for 20 years. She also served on the Fletcher Fair Board, organizing the ladies' exhibits for numerous years with Jeanne Birdwell. Lilla also served as the President of the OSU Animal Science Alumni Association. She worked for over 50 years with the Fletcher United Methodist Women's group, serving church night suppers, funeral dinners, and, most importantly, cooking brisket and pies for the annual women's bazaar. Lilla was deeply committed to her faith and a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church.
If there were a word to describe Lilla, it would be KIND. She was always there to listen, offer guidance, and encouragement to people. Numerous students still turned to her for friendship and guidance. If you needed a card for a birthday, an achievement, or a sympathy occasion, you would receive one from Lilla. Her "nest" was always full of cards just waiting to be sent for the right occasion. Not only would a card be sent, but prayers would be given. She truly felt a closeness to the Lord and spent hours in prayer.
Left to remember Lilla are her husband of 58 years, Ike; daughter Amy Grace and husband, Jack, of Lone Grove; daughter Keely Gilpin and husband, Jason, of Edmond; grandchildren: Jackson, Madeline, and Preston Grace of Lone Grove; and Ashlynn Price, Kasey, Elle, Ryker, and Keegan Gilpin of Edmond.
Pallbearers will be Jack Grace, Jackson Grace, Preston Grace, Jason Gilpin, Chris Lyle, and Phillip Stoll. Honorary pallbearers are Don Mullenix, Wayne Cunningham, Steve Shiflett, Charlie Maguire, Murray Birdwell, Charley McCullar, John Hodge, Shane Hardzog and Rodney Raney.
The family would like to thank her caretakers, Jan Lake, Jeanne Smith, and Sharon Bridges. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Fletcher United Methodist Church, PO Box 491, Fletcher, OK 73541, or the charity of your choice.
Funeral service for Lilla will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 24, 2025 at Fletcher United Methodist Church with Pastor Kip Ackley officiating. Burial will follow at Fletcher Cemetery under the direction of Fletcher Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Family will be present from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to greet friends and guests.