Sunday, July 4th, 1976 - Thursday, October 13th, 2022
A Celebration of Life for Marla Cher-Lyn Willard, age 46, of Waukomis, will be 2:00 pm, Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at World Harvest Church with Pastor Brad Mendenhall officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Valley Cemetery under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 pm on Monday, October 17th at the funeral home.
Marla was born July 4, 1976 in Woodward, Oklahoma, and passed away Thursday, October 13, 2022 in Enid.
She attended Fargo Public Schools, graduating in 1994. She attended NWOSU where she studied English and Spanish Education, and later attended SWOSU where she studied Accounting.
To know Marla, you would have to know she was very picky. She would not settle for just anyone; she wanted the perfect one, she found her perfect love in 2003. She married Justin Willard on May 22, 2004 in Enid, Oklahoma. After nine years of marriage, Justin and Marla had their son Grady, whom she referred to as her “son-shine.” Five years later, her “mini-me” Gabrielle was born. She loved the fact that she was able to instill her strong Christian beliefs in her children. Marla and Justin were long time members of World Harvest Church; knowing that they had a strong church family has played a significant part of their lives. She loved spending times with her family, church activities, and being a rodeo wife. Family has always been a huge priority for her. She loved her many nieces and nephews; she was a huge part of all of their lives throughout the years. She loved to live life to the fullest no matter the circumstances. Marla was known to be a jokester; most recently when she and her sister Melissa were in a car accident. After being medi-flighted to OU Medical Center in the trauma unit, she pretended not to recognize her husband or sister Melody, scaring them to death.
In June 2021, Marla was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Throughout all of her treatment, she held strong to her faith. She never once asked “why me?” She met many women throughout her journey and shared her relationship with Christ with them. She will be forever missed by her many friends and family.
Marla is survived by her husband Justin and their children, Grady and Gabrielle, of Waukomis; her parents, Russell and Anita Brawley, of Fairview, OK; two sisters, Melissa Jones of Fairview; Melody Byrd and husband Brian, of Hennessey; one step-brother, Joshua Brawley of Ellington, MO; father and mother in-law, John and Tonya Willard, of Enid; brother-in-law Kyle Willard and wife Amy, of Enid; sister-in-law Jodi Winkler and husband Dustin, of Enid; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends. She is preceded in death by daughter, Gracelyn Kaye Willard; grandparents, Mary Scott Moak and Lloyd Scott; grandmother, Bertie Haight, brother-in-law, Leroy Jones; and cousin, Connie Havel.
Memorial contributions in Marla’s name may be made to Justin and Marla’s children’s education fund with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made to the family online at www.LadusauEvans.com. Ladusau-Evans has been serving the families of the Enid Community and surrounding areas for over 40 years with compassionate service and dedication. They provide families with an open door policy. Feel free to contact them 24 hours a day. Visitation Hours: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm daily, 2800 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-1400. -
Obituaries are posted, in part, due to the generosity of The Commons.
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