The final resting place of centenarian Myda J. Lewis is at the southwest side of Fairlawn Cemetery, in Section 5A. Her horizontal headstone is next to her husband Frank and daughter Barbara. Myda's headstone has the following inscription:
Myda J. Lewis
June 21, 1911
July 16, 2018
Myda's obituary, from her Find a Grave memorial: (
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Myda Juanita Lewis, 107, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, July 16, 2018. Arrangements are under the care of Dighton-Marler Funeral Home of Stillwater. Family has requested no service at this time.
Myda was born on June 21, 1911 in Helena, Oklahoma to Watt and Edith (Childers) Ward. She moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1918 at the age of 7 years old with her mother and grandfather on a wagon. She lost her father and younger brother the year before due to the Spanish Flu Pandemic. She grew up and attended Stillwater Schools and graduated in 1928. After graduating high school she married the love of her life, Frank S. Lewis. Together they had 2 children. During her life span she worked at many jobs: JC Penny's, McClellan's, FW Woolworth, Bonnies, and Chevrolet Garage. She then finished her education up with a business course and went to work for Dr. Haskell Smith.
Myda accomplished becoming an artist and seamstress. She loved to travel to Hawaii and other exotic destinations. She lived independently with her daughter until last year, when she fell and broke her pelvis and had to move into Westhaven Nursing Home. She drove on her own until she was 102. She celebrated her 107th birthday with a parade made just for her, last month here in Stillwater.
She lived through World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, Pearl Harbor, Korean War, the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam War, The Soviet-Afghan War, Persian Gulf War, Y2K, Operation Ending Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Myda lived to see our nation change in so many different ways.
She is survived by her two children, Barbara Lewis and Gary Lewis and wife, Barbara; four grandchildren, Nancee Thonn, Kristy Clanton, Steve Lewis, and Kim Lewis; three great grandchildren, Aaron McCaslin, Jason McCaslin, and Brittany McCaslin; four great great grandchildren, Kate and Jackson McCaslin and Blair and Gracie Adeline McCaslin.
She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brother.
Special thanks go to Sharon and Darnel Varnell, Al and Linda Perry, and Debby Lucky, all employees of Westhaven Nursing Home, and Ladies of professional Hospice for their kindness and good care.
Memorial donations can be in her honor to Stillwater Human Society, Tiny Paws or charity of your choice, c/o Dighton-Marler Funeral Home, 5106 North Washington, Stillwater, OK 74075.
Wings of Hope Family Crisis Services is processing a large custom painted butterfly sculpture in Myda's honor. A GoFundMe account has been set up for donations to go towards it at www.gofudme.com/butterfly-to-honor-myda-lewis.