Twila Maurine Early

© Enid News and Eagle

1/24/08

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

The funeral for Twila Maurine Early, 97, of Medford, will be 10 a.m. Saturday at First Christian Church of Medford. The Rev. Craig VanDeburgh will officiate. Burial will be in Rosemound Cemetery, Medford. Arrangements are by Hills-Ely Funeral Home, Medford.

She was born Feb. 5, 1910, near Deer Creek to Lester C. and Anna Ella Almack Darland and died Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008, at Wakita Community Health Center, Wakita.

She attended school at rural District 47 in Grant County and graduated from Deer Creek High School in 1926. She graduated in 1928 with a life teaching certificate from junior college. She continued her education at Central State College, graduating in 1936 with a bachelor of arts degree.

She taught in rural schools, Districts 51 and 26, Grant Consolidated School and in Driftwood and Eagle City before moving to Medford to teach third grade in 1936. She later taught first grade in Medford. She taught for six months in Edmond in an Air Force training detachment in 1942.

She married Raymond Early in 1943. He died in 1971.

She was a member of Medford Christian Church, past president of the board of education, life member of Oklahoma Education Associ-ation, member of Grant County Teachers Association and past matron of the Order of Eastern Star, serving as a member for more than 70 years. She served as mother adviser of Rainbow for Girls and received Grand Cross of Color from Supreme Chapter of Rainbow for her service. She was past president of Chapter BE of P.E.O., serving as a member for more than 60 years.

Surviving are one son, Jim of Medford; five grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Raymond, she was preceded in death by one brother and a sister.

Memorials may be made through the funeral home, P.O. Box 280, Medford, OK 73759 to First Christian Church.