Teresa L. Lomax

Teresa Lee (McCauley) Lomax entered this world October 17, 1952 in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, the eldest child of Walter Russell McCauley and Wilma Lee (Linch) McCauley of Barnsdall, Oklahoma. She departed this world on July 31, 2024 at the age of 71 with her beloved husband Ray Lomax and daughter Jamie Lomax at her side. Teresa is survived by her siblings Walter Russell McCauley and Anita (McCauley) Sumner, daughter Joanna (Lomax) Holliday, granddaughters Samantha (Holliday) Trimble, Rebecca Holliday, Stasha Cole and Kennedy Cole, five great-grandchildren, William, Mia, Bear, Dallas and Jaxson, and grandchildren-in-love Jacob Kelln, Jesse Holder and Gwen Holder. Extended family includes in-laws John and Sarah Lomax, Roy and Jane (Lomax) Gannaway, Krystin Kelln, and Barrett Holder, and nieces and nephews Breanna (McCauley) Hibdon, Royce Gannaway, Kari Gannaway Azar, John Lomax Jr., Cyndi Lomax, and Ashley (Lomax) Walker. The friendship of Jan Ditmore, Berneva Whitman, Linda Blackford, Ellie Womack, Sharon Watson, and many more friends, students, and colleagues will sustain beyond her life. She was preceded in death by both her parents and nephew Wil McCauley. Teresa’s legacy is expansive, spanning nearly four decades in education and as an active member of the Grove United Methodist Church. In the course of her career, she taught thousands of Ridgerunners how to write essays and research papers, how to ask questions and think critically. She helped her students learn about themselves, others and the world, and how to tap into their own inner well of creativity. She was referred to by some students as “The Lean Mean Teaching Machine,” yet she was relentless in her belief in the possibility, potential, and dignity inherent in each student. She held her students to high standards, which they most often rose to meet. This commitment earned Mrs. Lomax the distinction of being the Grove Public Schools District Teacher of the Year in 1989. She went on to become a semi-finalist for the Oklahoma State Teacher of the Year. In her quest to connect each child to a vision of a bright future for themselves, Teresa thrived in the later part of her career as the Grove Middle School Librarian. She was happiest helping a young person find a book, graphic novel, audiobook or series that helped light their imagination on fire and made them hungry to read. For Mrs. Lomax, literacy was part of the bedrock of a fulfilled life, and she sought to share it with others. She retired in 2003 after a serious health incident that left her changed in physical well-being but undiminished in spirit. As a member of the Grove United Methodist Church, Teresa served in many capacities, including ensuring new members found a sense of connection and community and as a founding member of Bob’s Class, a group of reflective, critical thinkers interested in exploring the big questions of religion and spirituality. “Who is God? What is God?” they were known to ask. Her answer was always simple and direct. “God is Love.” She lived this belief most publicly in her role as a member of the church choir under the direction of dear friend Nancy Lungren. Singing glory to her God brought her great fulfillment. She continued sharing the gift of her joyful voice in the choir long after her diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s. Teresa’s life was defined by her commitment to recognize the Divine in others and respond to their needs with God’s love. The best evidence of Teresa’s expansive, embodied love is most clear in the relationship she shared with her partner in life and travel, her husband Ray. They walked this world side by side for over 50 years and enjoyed several years of retirement together after she stepped away from her work as an educator. During those years, they built upon their previous summer camping adventures to many National Parks in the Western United States. Although those adventures were brought to an end as her disease progressed, the memories will live on in Ray, the light and love of her life. They were more than husband and wife; they were best friends. As a wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, and friend, Teresa Lomax was a shining example of what it means to love the way Jesus called us to love: without judgment, with grace, compassion, care and goodwill to all. She saw our world as a place of possibility and hope, looking for the best in every situation. As we wander through this troubled world, may we all be inspired to do the same. Degenerative neurological diseases require urgent research as we face an aging population at increased risk of falling victim to the illnesses which took Teresa and her parents from this world. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of Teresa’s life and legacy of love. A celebration of Teresa’s life will be at 2pm Friday, August 16, 2024, at Church on the Hill.

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Teresa L. Lomax

October 17, 1952 - July 31, 2024