Nola Gayle Hill, 97, of Perkins, Oklahoma passed away peacefully at her home on December 20, 2024. A celebration of her life will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 4, 2025 at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Perkins.
Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.


She was born on September 26, 1927, in Arcadia, Oklahoma. She is preceded in death by her parents, W.C. and Mabel Tuttle; husband, Kenneth L Hill; and daughter-in-law, Martha Kastl Hill.


Gayle grew up in the Arcadia area, graduating from high school at Big Cabin, OK in 1946. It was there, at a school play, that she met Kenneth Hill, the young man that she would marry just a few years later. After high school, Gayle went to Oklahoma A&M where she attended all her classes in the infamous Old Central classroom building. She graduated with a teaching certificate and returned to Big Cabin to teach in a one room classroom.


On May 8, 1948, she and Kenneth were united in marriage. Their union lasted 57 years. During that time Gayle was a homemaker, bank teller, and a medical assistant for the late Dr. W. Honska. After her retirement, she and Kenneth traveled until he was disabled, and she became his devoted caregiver until his death in 2005.


Gayle was a member of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Club. In 1977 she achieved the status of KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly) after losing 130 lbs. She remained active in the club and kept her weight loss status the remainder of her life, encouraging all those she met to exercise and eat a healthy diet.


Gayle was a faithful member of Immanuel Baptist Church, and proud to be a part of the ladies SISTER group. Her faith in our Lord Jesus Christ was the foundation of her life and evident to all those who knew her.


To many, Gayle was known as the 'cookie lady', delivering home baked cookies, care, and compassion everywhere she went. Her front door was open to many friends and acquaintances where the coffee pot was ready to go along with her cookies. She was known for her sassy, dry sense of humor that could turn any conversation into an occasion of laughter. She greatly enjoyed making others smile and laugh. Gayle was open- minded and accepting of people that were different. She had a servant's heart. While she was physically able, she adopted numerous elderly ladies in the Perkins community doing their hair, picking up prescriptions or groceries for them, taking them to appointments and so much more. Prior to internet streaming she copied recorded church services onto cassette tapes and delivered them to those that could not attend.


To her family, Gayle was the peacekeeper and matriarch. She loved each one fiercely and was a non-judgmental listener providing well thought out advice when asked. She will be missed more than words can express.


She is survived by her sister, Ramona Brooner; her sons, George Hill and Kenneth Hill; her daughter and husband, Darla Black Eberle (Richard); grandchildren, Kristi Hill Keim (Dave), Lauren Black Waterhouse, and Clint Black (Jordan) as well as 7 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.


The family would like to thank the nursing staff at Karmen Legacy Hospice, particularly Danny and Gina, for the care they provided the past year.


In lieu of customary remembrances, donations may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church or a charity of your choice.