Mary Louise Call's Obituary
On October 13, 1949, the sun shone just a little brighter as Mary Louise Lyle (Call) entered the
earthly realm as the third and youngest child of Earl Edward and Lou Elizabeth (Pickard) Lyle.
Raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma she and her family became members of East Tulsa Christian Church
where they were faithful, active members throughout her adolescence. Mary’s childhood was filled
days of riding her bike and spending long weekends at the lake. She also discovered her love of
music at a young age and played the flute, sang in the church choir and was in the marching band.
After graduating from Hale High School in 1967, Mary attended Ozark Bible College and in the fall of
1967, she attended a church service where she met Miles Richard Call, a sophomore at a nearby
college in Joplin, MO. After a two year courtship, the two were married on June 7, 1969 and in 2024,
celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. After living in both Missouri and Arkansas, the two
settled in Tulsa, OK and in 1973, gave birth to their daughter, Rebecca Leigh. In 1978, Ryan Douglas
completed their family.
Mary enjoyed being a homemaker and stay-at-home mother; happily taking care of and nurturing
her family. One of the other joys of Mary’s life was being the pianist at Highland Park Christian
Church, playing for the congregation, choirs, cantatas and special musical numbers for many
years. You could always find Mary playing her piano or listening to praise and worship music. As
well, the friendships that Mary cultivated over the years were a source of happiness for her and you
could always find her talking on the phone to a friend with her beloved kitty Greyson on her lap and
her “Richy” by her side.
As her children got older and after a personal journey of healing, Mary decided to continue her
education and graduated in 1989 with an Associate’s Degree from Tulsa Community College.
Fueled by her passion and God-given purpose to encourage and counsel others, Mary went on to
earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Family Studies and Gerontology in 1994 from SNU, and earned her
Master’s Degree in Christian Counseling from ORU in 1997. Her many accomplishments during her
academic years include ‘Who’s Who in American Junior Colleges’, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society,
and Distinguished TCC graduate in 1995. Mary enjoyed her internships and working at various
organizations, most notably her counseling position at Home Improvement Ministries and also the
Chaplaincy program in Arkansas which were near and dear to her heart.
Mary is survived by her husband, Miles Richard, daughter Rebecca Call and son Ryan Call of Tulsa,
OK; granddaughters Kiandra (Kazer) Cox of Sand Springs, OK; Keirian Mitchell Persinger of Tulsa,
OK; Khaila Call of Tulsa, OK; and great-grandsons Mikau, Cale, Miles and Theodore. Brother
Thomas (Joyce) Lyle of Tahlequah, OK; Russell Call of Tulsa, OK and sister Patricia Lyle Kramer of
Boulder, CO. She is also cherished and remembered fondly by a host of nieces and nephews.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?