Mildred Martha Hoos Ayers, 83, of Broken Arrow, OK went on to rest with Jesus on Sunday, April 6, 2025, after a hard-fought battle with lung cancer. She was born on September 30, 1941, in Pryor, OK, to John Hoos and Vada Brannon Hoos. She married Perry A. Ayers Jr. on July 3, 1959, in Muskogee, OK and he preceded her to their eternal home in 2019.
In her teenage years, while living in Muskogee, OK, Mildred was passionate about the arts. She wrote and produced a teen talk show for a local television channel, marking the beginning of a lifelong love of creativity and community. At just 15 years old, she pursued further study at the Pasadena Playhouse in California. It was in Muskogee, at the Ritz theater, where Mildred met the love of her life, Perry. After a season of exchanging heartfelt letters, they married, and Mildred treasured those love letters for the rest of her life. Their union was blessed with three children: Laura, Karen, and Perry III.
Mildred was an active member of the Church of God 7th Day, where she served as a Sabbath School Teacher, Vacation Bible School leader, and founded a puppet program to teach young children about the gospel. She and Perry also hosted their grandchildren each summer for "Cousin Camp," creating lasting memories through shared activities.
Mildred's impact extended beyond her family and faith community. She was a co-founder of the Northwest Arkansas Children's Home and the Coalition for Family Justice. A passionate advocate for her community, she successfully lobbied to keep fluoride out of the water in her Arkansas neighborhood and protested the operation of the Black Fox nuclear power plant in Inola, Oklahoma.
In addition to her community work, Mildred founded Sooner Productions, a movie production company dedicated to creating family-friendly films. Her professional life also included a successful career in real estate, where she opened her own business, Catoosa Real Estate.
At the age of 81, following the passing of Perry, Mildred shared their experience with Lewy Body Dementia by publishing the book We Walked Through Dementia, offering insight and support to others caring for loved ones with dementia. She also began a YouTube channel, Grandma Ayers' Pearls of Wisdom, where she shared gardening tips, stories, and life lessons, often featuring her beloved goat Trixie and other farm animals.
Mildred was preceded in death by her parents and two infant siblings. She is survived by her two daughters, Laura Ann Vasquez and Karen Elizabeth Beisel; her son, Perry "Sonny" Arthur Ayers III and his wife Jana; 10 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; three brothers, George Hoos, Daniel Hoos, and Benjamin Hoos; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and cherished friends.
Funeral services for Mildred Martha Hoos Ayers will be held on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025, at 10:00 am at the Church of God 7th Day, located at 13902 E. 11th St., Tulsa. Interment will follow at Hogan Cemetery in Locust Grove, OK. Viewing with the family receiving friends will be on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Moore's Southlawn Chapel, 9350 E. 51st St., Tulsa, OK.
Mildred's legacy of love, service, and wisdom will continue to inspire all who knew her.