Ila Mae (Jackson) Thayer was born March 21, 1931, in Thomas, Oklahoma to Lawrence Edward and Hazel (Matthews) Jackson and passed away, Monday, June 17, 2019, at Corn Heritage Village of Weatherford, Oklahoma 87 years 2 month 26 days.

Ila was raised and attended school in Thomas. Ila married Edward Francis Thayer, Sr. on February 14, 1947, in Arapaho, Oklahoma and they made their home. They later opened a dry-cleaning business in Edmond, Oklahoma called "The Edmond Plaza Cleaners", which they ran for 23 years. After closing the Edmond dry cleaner, they opened a new one in Thomas called "Thomas Cleaner and Hatter", that they ran for 10 years, retiring in the early 1990's. Ila loved her Lord Jesus Christ and Savior and loved witnessing to, listening to and comforting others. She made many friends along the way; known and cherished by many, was a thoughtful person and loved sending cards. Ila enjoyed sewing, ceramic crafts, cooking for others, and spending time with family and friends.

Ila is survived by one son, Edward Thayer, Jr. and wife, Verna Vaughan-Thayer of Crescent, Oklahoma; two daughters, Sharon Simpson and husband, Sherman of Edmond, Oklahoma and Diana Houser and Charles Burns of Thomas, Oklahoma; five grandchildren; and fourteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, L.E. "Peter" Jackson; sister, Mary Bell Jones; and granddaughter, Deserae Brittenham.