LYNDON, Kan. – Lyla Louise Womble, 69 of Lyndon, Kan., departed this life, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, at Stormont Vail Hospital, Topeka, Kan. She was born Jan. 20, 1952, in Council Grove, Kan., the daughter of Kenneth Doyle and Margorie Lee (Kersten) Womble.
Lyla graduated from Lyndon High School in 1970. She attended the University of Kansas, graduating magna cum laude, and received a Bachelor’s in Behavioral Sciences from Ottawa University. She went on to obtain her master’s degree from Washburn University.
Lyla began her career as a drug and alcohol counselor, becoming the director of a facility in Topeka that cared for adults with special needs. She introduced them to the Special Olympics program, which provided so much joy to a formerly mundane life. The joy she brought to so many deserving lives was astounding. She finished her career as director of The Farm Inc., where she provided training workshops for staff that cared for the juveniles of that facility, in addition to one-on-one sessions with the kids.
In 1972, Lyla was united in marriage to Larry Ray Findlay, and within this union they shared two children, David Wade and Melissa Louise. They later divorced and both remarried separately.
Lyla had a spirit of kindness and love that was the driving force behind her innate desire to help those that desperately needed acceptance or direction. Typically those more “difficult” personalities most people veer away from. Whether it be the raccoon she fostered as a child or the young men and women that craved her approval at the juvenile facility, one thing was prominent and that was her ability to make you feel as if you were the most important person in this world by freely giving you her undivided attention, and to her you had a purpose. She had an unconditional love for anyone that was gifted this life because to her every life mattered. If she could’ve reached every living being and leave a footprint of love, she would’ve done it with a smile on her face. Her joy lies within the love she has to offer. We claim that to be her legacy in which we find great honor and pride in carrying forth to those willing to accept.
In addition to Crypto-quotes, she loved mind challenging puzzles of any kind, gardening, laughter, singing with her mother and siblings, and caring for her dogs. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family. Lyla’s warm spirit and giving personality will be greatly missed and will continue on in her family’s lives forever.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth D. Womble and Marjorie L. (Kersten).
Lyla is survived by her two children, David Wade (Megan) Findlay, of Lyndon, and Melissa Lousie Findlay, Midland, Texas; sister, Sherry Lee Habiger (Rendy), Auburn, Kan.; two brothers, Galen Lewis Boyd (Betty), Lyndon, and Kenneth Ronald Womble, Pittsburg, Kan.; and six grandchildren, Ethan, Tara, Callen, Kaden, Chase and Seth.
Graveside services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, at Vassar Cemetery, Vassar, Kan. Lyla will lie in state 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, at the Feltner Funeral Home; the family will greet friends 6-8 p.m.
Memorial contributions can be made to The Alzheimer’s Association or Harvest Time Juvenile Ministries, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451. Condolences can be left at www.feltnerfuneralhomes.com.
