Ila Marie Twist, 80, of Westville, Oklahoma, passed away on May 1, 2024, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Ila, a beacon of dedication, was born in Nicut, Oklahoma, to Jesse Wheeler Sims and Maude Ethel Kilpatrick on January 11, 1944. She attended Muldrow Public Schools and graduated from Northeastern State University (Tahlequah) with her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. For over 34 years, she poured her heart and soul into educating young minds, primarily in Kansas, Oklahoma. Her commitment to her students was unwavering, and her impact on their lives was immeasurable. Ila’s hobbies included playing the piano and baking. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy; she would light up at any opportunity to talk about them and share story after story about them. Ila’s family was her world, and her love for them was boundless, radiating warmth and affection. Her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the source of her joy and the reason for her smile. Her love for them was a testament to her kind and nurturing spirit. Ila was deeply loved and adored by her family and will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Vernon Lee Twist, their children, Joseph Edward Twist and his wife, Joyce; grandchildren, Kyle Joseph Twist, Serena Christine Hudson and Casey Lee Twist; and 7 great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her siblings and her parents.

Visitation will be on Sunday, May 5, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Sequoyah Memorial Chapel of Forever Memories Funeral Services in Sallisaw, Oklahoma.

Graveside services will be Monday, May 6, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Box Cemetery with Heath Wood officiating.

The family has entrusted the funeral arrangements to Forever Memories Funeral Services, INC, Sallisaw, Oklahoma.

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