On July 6, 1937, Margie Irene Toles was born to Robert and Irene Toles in the small community of Nowhere, Oklahoma. Times were tough and the family moved often to find better opportunities.  While living at Binger, Oklahoma, Margie’s first little sister, Carlyon Levon was born.

The family then moved to the two-room house on Grandad and Grandma’s farm (Lee and Lizzie Robbins), in the Pleasant Valley School district south of Hydro.  It was in this little home, next to Grandma and Grandad’s that Sharran Kay made her grand entrance into the family.  Soon the house down the hill west of the Robbins’ became available and the little family moved into the “big house” of four rooms.

Margie soon started school at Pleasant Valley, while Robert and Irene planted roots in the community.  Linda Sue then made her very early arrival, and the family was complete.

Margie made many friends at Pleasant Valley school, including the Lawles boys, just up the hill, between them and Grandma and Grandad’s.  Since there wasn’t a local church, the school was also the location for church meetings, including a three-week revival, where Margie, Robert and Raymond Lawles all gave their lives to Christ on the same night.  Little did she know that this was God designing her future.

Before long, the little community came together to build the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church.  All hands were used, and Raymond left his memento with a shiny new penny in the stucco at the back of the church.

Margie graduated the eighth grade as valedictorian and started the next year as a sophomore at the “big school” of Hydro, Oklahoma, where she graduated in 1954. By this time, the handsome, brown-eyed young man up the hill had stolen her heart and she and Raymond Lawles were married on June 11, 1954 at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church.

The first year of marriage toughened the young couple as a drought forced them and their friends, Billy Neal and Joye Hamilton to Colorado searching for jobs.  Jobs were scarce, so the two couples picked peaches at Palisade.  After the harvest, the Hamiltons went back home and Raymond and Margie found work around the Climax, Colorado mines.  Soon the snow came and the mines closed for the winter, so the young couple headed back home where they found jobs until spring planting time.

The next couple of years brought successful crops and a new addition to the family, Deborah Rae. The following year crops again suffered drought conditions, so the family moved to Weatherford, Oklahoma for jobs.  By this time, Robert, Irene and the girls, and Grandma and Grandad Robbins had moved to Weatherford.

It was not long before Raymond was offered a good paying job in Oklahoma City, but after looking for a home in the packed city, they wondered if this move was right for them.  While eating in a small café after a long day of looking for a home, Raymond made the statement, “If I had a dime, I would call and ask for my job back.”  Margie handed him a dime, and soon they were headed home.

Raymond had a farmer’s heart and before long, the family moved back to the farm where Margie had grown up.  With the help of Billy Neal indoor plumbing was added to the house.

The year of 1962, was blessed with the arrival of a baby sister, Cynthia Renea.  The girls loved life on the farm. It was never easy, but it was the best of life!  

Both Margie and Raymond were active in their church and community.  Margie taught Sunday School, Training Union; and taught and directed Vacation Bible school, WMU, and GA’s.  She was also the 4H leader, and later the county president of school 4H directors which earned her a trip to Washington DC.   They were active with the youth in both the church and school, which also included taking them snow skiing, numerous parties, hayrack rides, wiener roasts, mountain climbing and trips.

Margie worked side by side with Raymond and taught her girls that they could move irrigation pipe, work the cattle, hoe and pick the garden and can the vegetables; then clean up, put on their red high heels and have dinner with the governor.                   

In 1977, Raymond and Margie built a beautiful, brick home on the farm and the little white house, with all its memories, was purchased and moved down the road for another family to make their memories.  

After a long battle of heart disease and cancer, Raymond, the love of her life, passed away May 6, 2012.  She continued to take care of her father, Robert, until he passed away two years later.  At that time, she asked the girls if they would move back to the farm, but due to both girls, their families and their jobs, they talked her into moving to Walters.

She has enjoyed watching and being a big part of the grandchildren and great grandchildren’s lives. She has been blessed with seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, whom have kept her smiling and busy going to ball games, activities and special Wednesday night suppers at Nena’s. Margie and her sisters, Linda Sue and Sharran Kay were able to enjoy several cruises together.  From Hawaii, to Alaska, to Panama and the Caribbean, they enjoyed the sites and the laughter.  She also became an active member of the First Baptist Church working with the Marthas, and her Sunday School class which became a wonderful group of sisters and prayer warriors.  Her neighbors were also very special to her, although sometimes it seemed they had a friendly competition on who could keep the prettiest yard!  

Margie Irene Lawles went home to meet Jesus on June 14, 2023.  She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Rae Thurman and husband, Clint, and Cynthia Renea Monroe and husband, Randy, all of Walters; one grandson, Brian Lance Pshigoda and wife Chloee, of Skiatook, OK; six granddaughters, Brooke Good and husband Teddy, and Kensie Winfree and husband Carl, of Walters; Kaidee Worthley and husband Nathan of Norman, OK; Randi Miller and husband Brian of Temple, OK; Amanda Bundens and husband Allan, of Rowlett, TX; and Jenny Thurman of Ft. Worth, TX.  She is also survived by eight grandsons, Corbin Good, Ian Good, B.J. Palmer, Jax Pshigoda, Jace Adams, Jaxon Adams, Remington Miller, and Asher Worthley; and four great granddaughters, Traylee Winfree, Kiera Pshigoda, Elise Samples and Harper Samples; one sister, Linda Heathington and husband Joe, and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews and one great, great niece and nephew.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, Raymond Lawles, of the home; parents, Robert and Irene Toles, two sisters, Carlyon Dunn and Sharran Brite; one sister-in-law Leela Lawles; and three brothers-in-law, Pat Dunn, Darrell Brite, and Donnie Lawles.

Services: First Baptist Church, Friday, 10:00 AM, June 16, 2023, Walters, OK

                 Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Friday 2:30 PM, June 16, 2023, Hydro, OK

Officiating: Rev. Jack Jacob, Rev. Joe Sanders, and Rev. Terry Flansburg

Burial: Hinton Cemetery, Hinton, OK

Services  under the direction of Turner Funeral Home, Hinton, Oklahoma. Condolences may be sent to the family at turnerfuneralhomes@gmail.com, or you can find us on facebook.com (Turner Funeral Homes).