T. Niletta Lyda

Twila Niletta (DeForest) Lyda was born July 9, 1942, the first child of Millen T. and Twila E. (Severns) DeForest.  Niletta is remembered for her unwavering love for her family and of her Savior, Jesus Christ.  With a great passion for both music and her Christian faith, Niletta used her beautiful singing voice and her knowledge of the Bible to lead others toward faith in God.  Born in Salem, Oregon, Niletta graduated from North Salem High School in 1960.  Soon after graduating, she married her sweetheart, Donald Duane Lyda, Sr., June 26, 1960, at Court Street Christian Church in Salem.  They were happily married 56 years. In the early days of their marriage, Niletta volunteered at First Christian Church of Albany while her husband Don was the youth pastor.  She was active in Christian Endeavor and sang often, leading choirs and sing-alongs.  When the couple moved to Jefferson in 1965, they joined Jefferson Christian Church, and Niletta took up many roles including VBS and Sunday school classes, singing and worship leading for church services, and directing the church choir.  She also served as a Bible teacher for Child Evangelism Fellowship for many years, leading after-school Bible clubs for kids. In 1983, Don and Niletta moved back to Salem and joined Salem Heights Church.  There Niletta was a member of the music team and enjoyed many years with treasured friends in small group Bible studies.  In her retirement, Niletta was a member of Turner Christian Church in Turner, Oregon, serving in several capacities including her last role as a trustee.  In all of her service to the church, Niletta will be lovingly remembered for her crystal-clear voice and her passion that the gospel, God’s love and free gift of salvation, would be known and grasped by everyone. Twila Niletta Lyda left this life to meet her Savior in Heaven Monday, March 30, 2020, in Albany, Oregon.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Duane Lyda, Sr. (1934-2016).  She is survived by her two children, Don Lyda, Jr. and Tiffaney (Lyda) Tiffin; her three brothers, Martin DeForest, Millen DeForest, and Terry DeForest; and her four grandchildren, Brieanna (Lyda) Harper, Jacob Lyda, Keenan Tiffin, and Spencer Tiffin.  She will also be greatly missed by her faithful Sheltie, Laddie James.