Janet Lay

Ruby Janet Lay was born on Thursday, June 1, 1933 in Ponca City, Oklahoma the daughter of Harvey and Katherine (Climer) Sparkman. She passed this life on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. She was 89 years, 5 months and 1 day of age. The former Miss Janet Sparkman was a 1951 graduate of Webster High School in Tulsa. She was inducted into the Webster Hall of Fame in 1997. After attending Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri she was ordained through Victory Christian Center and subsequently taught at Victory Bible Institute. Janet married the late Bill E. Lay on February 28, 1953 at Carbondale Assembly of God in Tulsa. Janet was a pastor, teacher, counselor and author with a deep love for women’s ministry. Following the direction of the Holy Spirit, she ministered and led many women’s conferences across the globe. As an author, Janet wrote the book “Fragrance of Knowledge” which was published in 2001. In 2014, the residents of Grove voted her the Most Inspirational Woman. She had a gift of selflessly loving and caring about others that truly exemplified Jesus. This love was so strong in her life, everyone drawn to her felt “love, acceptance and forgiveness: … (unless you messed with one of her kids!) Her greatest joy was her family. For 25 years, Bill & Janet built and pastored Cornerstone Church of Grove. At the time of her passing, she was a member of Carbondale Assembly of God in Tulsa. The family requests memorials to Carbondale Assembly of God, 2135 West 51st Street, Tulsa, OK 74107 or Cornerstone Church, 501 South Main Street, Grove, OK 74344 or Victory Church, 7700 South Lewis Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74136. Janet is survived by, Sons, Mike and wife Debby Lay, Jenks, OK Tom and wife Pam Lay, Broken Arrow, OK Bryan Lay, Tulsa, OK Grandchildren, Shawn and Christie, Matthew and Michelle, Stacy, Amy and Tyler, Angela and Chance. Great Grandchildren, Cate, Bella, Ethan, Logan, Levi, Natalie, Tiffany, Adelaide, Quintin, Colette, Lorelei and Austin. Sisters, Mary and husband Dan McAlister, Afton, OK Linda Evans, Sapulpa, OK Several Nieces, Nephews and Cousins Janet was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Katherine; husband, Bill; son, James W. “Jim”; Sisters, Loretta, Martha, Marie and Sally. “Feel free to wear the bright colors or leopard that Janet so loved.”

Tributes

Janet Lay

June 1, 1933 - November 2, 2022