Arla Markham Gaines, beloved wife of William "Craig" Gaines for 52 years transitioned to the next phase of her journeys on July 9, 2026 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Arla was 73 and was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is the daughter of Arthur L. Markham and Lenore Jean Markham (formerly Clift). Arla was brilliant and inquisitive as well as an intuitive, an empath, and a maeve. She loved music, writing, photography, her family, and helping others. Purple and teal were her favorite colors.

Craig and Arla first met in 1968 while attending Will Rogers High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma and were married on August 14, 1973 in Sharp Chapel at the University of Tulsa. Arla graduated from the University of Tulsa with a BS in Communications and a JD in Law. She was one of a small group of women who broke through the glass ceiling to attend law school and practice law then. While working on her BS Arla worked full time at the University of Tulsa Business Office while her husband attended school full time. She also had her first child and was a working mother while attending college.

After graduating from law school Arla had a private practice in Tulsa. When the oil bust hit Oklahoma, Arla, Craig and their children Amy Alexandra, Jason, and Angela moved to Sacramento, California where Arla worked as an attorney in the U. S. Small Business Administration. She did disaster relief loans for victims of earthquakes, riots, and floods so business owners could restore their livelihoods. At one point she managed 40 attorneys, 3 paralegals, and 8 clericals in the Common Damage Team. Arla became the agency's condominium expert and helped develop agency condominium policy.

The long hours and stress working at the .U S. Small Business Administration took its toll on her. Arla developed her first brain aneurysm. Stanford Medical Center saved her life but she suffered a small stroke during the repair. After surgery Arla spent six months bouncing a basketball to regain muscle coordination. She became a basketball and country music fan as the human dura used to close her incision carried some traits she did not formerly have. She regained most of her early memories over time, but not all.

When Craig was offered a petroleum engineering job in Oklahoma, they moved to Edmond and then back to Tulsa. She developed a mirror brain aneurysm and again Stanford Medical Center saved her life. Arla overcame a series of health challenges and learned she was allergic to gluten and corn. M. D. Anderson Cancer Center also saved Arla's life. Arla freely helped many with health issues and said that in her next life she should be a healer. She would have become a medical doctor, but she could not stand the sight of blood and human suffering. She self-published a gluten-free cookbook on Amazon to help others.

Arla enjoyed travel and learning new things. She has been on a spiritual journey to know herself and to be closer to God. She had past life experiences in England, France, Greece, and Central America that enabled her to better understand life's journeys and God's plan.

Arla was a gifted writer. Craig will finish Arla's young adult novel which she worked on for many years.

Arla is survived by her husband Craig and their gifted children Amy Alexandra Tinsman, Jason Gaines, and Angela Gaines. Arla's grandkids are Phoenix Dawn Tinsman, Ryder Sage Tinsman, Blaze Tinsman, Emerson Doss, Jackson Gaines, and Vivian Gaines. Arla is survived by her great-grandson Boone Bettes. She is also survived by her brother Steve Markham and Paula Hopkins as well as nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Arla will be privately buried in Memorial Park in Tulsa not far from her parents, aunts, uncles, a grandmother, grandfather, and other family are buried. A Celebration of Arla's Life is planned to occur several months after her burial.