Lyla Fox

On April 11, 2014, Lyla passed away in the peace of her Kalamazoo home. She was born November 2, 1944, in Temple, TX, to the late Lyle and Frances (Fiscus) Overton. Bill Fox, her loving husband of 45 years, and her children Taylor (Tate) and Elizabeth (Betsy) survive her. She was the eldest of five siblings: Bill (Lynn), Jefferson City, MO; Fred (Donna), Paw Paw, MI; Debbe (Ryan) Davis, Surprise, AZ; and Dick (Dolly), Decatur, MI. Her half-sister, Sally Whitman, lives in Marathon, FL. As a child, Lyla lived in Dowagiac, MI before moving to neighboring Decatur. In 1967, she graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in English, later earning a master's degree. Lyla began her teaching career in a one-room school house. She taught in Dowagiac, Decatur, Richland, Kalamazoo Central High School, Loy Norrix High School, and Davenport University. Her student audience ranged from the children of migrant workers to National Merit Scholars. She masterfully taught several subjects, including American literature, English literature, and drama performance. People knew Lyla for her generosity, passionate interest in people and ability to instill in others - especially students - the confidence to succeed. She cherished her role as a wife and mother, and her deepest commitment was her family. Lyla had a lifelong passion for reading and also developed an early interest in writing. In 2013, after years of submitting manuscripts, two of her novels were published: Snoop and Murder on Cinnamon Street. She also wrote articles for Newsweek and other national and local publications. Lyla skillfully applied her love of learning to sewing, knitting, cooking and even the world of social media. All are invited to join in a celebration of her life at the Kalamazoo State Theatre (404 S Burdick St.) on Sunday, April 27, 2014, at 2 PM. This venue reflects her lifelong love of film. Movie-going attire is encouraged and an 'open' concession stand will be available. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lyla Fox Never Stop Helping Fund, available on the Susan G. Komen for the Cure site at komen.org.