Aylsa Jean Duff

The Angel Lady

A Life of Love, Service, and Strength

Family and Legacy

Aylsa Jean (Porter) Duff was born on September 9, 1933, in Pawnee, Oklahoma, to Edna Grace (Whitlow) Porter LeGrande and John Raymond Porter. She passed away peacefully in Edmond, Oklahoma on May 7, 2025 at the age of ninety-one.

Aylsa was preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years, Jerry Lee Duff (1932–2010). She is survived by her daughter, Pamela Gay (Duff) Rollins, and her “son-in-love,” Gary Dean Rollins of Edmond, OK. She is also survived by her sister, Kathryn Jane (LeGrande) Williams Collins, and Katheryn’s children, Stacie Williams and Steven Williams. (Ricky Williams preceded her in death.) 

Aylsa was preceded in death by her sister, Patsy Porter (1942); her stepfather Ernest “Jack” LeGrande; and her half-brother John Porter; and is survived by her two half-sisters, Katheryn (Porter) Thrasher and Suzanne (Porter) Peckham. She also leaves behind a wide circle of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who she loved dearly and who will forever cherish her memory. 

Early Years

Born during the Great Depression at her grandparents’ home, Aylsa’s early years were marked by hardship, resilience and change. She lived in various places including Pawnee, Jennings, Tulsa, and California. She endured her parents’ divorce, the tragic death of her sister Patsy, and the sudden relocation of her best friend—a Japanese girl sent to an internment camp during World War II. These formative experiences taught her the value of friendship, the reality of loss, and the strength found in community.

Teen Years and Young Love

After moving back to Oklahoma, Aylsa’s family tried farming just outside of Jennings, OK. It didn’t take long for them to realize that the primitive farm couldn’t support them. The old farmhouse had no electricity, only kerosene lamps and a coal oil stove for cooking—hardly ideal for a growing family. They eventually moved into town, settling in a small apartment above a garage in Jennings and Aylsa quickly found a sense of belonging.  Here she played basketball and made many good friends, hoping to stay until graduation. But before long, the family moved back to Pawnee, which had always been “home base.” It was there, back in familiar surroundings, that Aylsa began dating Jerry, who would become the love of her life.

During her junior year in high school, her parents once again made a move.  This time to Perry, OK.  It was then she made a courageous decision to remain in Pawnee and finish high school, first living with her grandparents and later moving to an efficiency apartment downtown. In the fall after graduation, she married Jerry on November 17, 1951.

Family Life and Community Roots

After marriage, the young couple set up home in Stillwater, OK. There, while Jerry attended Oklahoma A&M (now OSU), Aylsa worked for a doctor and later the university. When they learned that they were expecting, they moved back to Pawnee, then on to Pawhuska and Bartlesville before settling in Tulsa, where Jerry took a job with Black, Sivalls & Bryson.

In Tulsa, the family built a life filled with music, faith, and friendship. They joined Memorial Christian Church and eventually purchased their first home at 618 E. 54th St. North. Pam attended kindergarten through high school in Tulsa, and Aylsa and Jerry became deeply involved in the community.

Aylsa was a devoted mother and community supporter. She was active as a Homeroom Mother at Sam Houston Elementary School and always found creative ways to support her family—offering in-home childcare, typing tax forms, sewing for neighbors, and teaching ceramics at Chamberlain Recreation Center.

Later, she worked at McLain High School as the Dean’s Secretary for four years, while Jerry worked for North American Rockwell. Together, they were members of the North Tulsa Lion’s Club, the Masons and Eastern Star, and booster clubs at Gilcrease Junior High and McLain High School. They gave their time and hearts to support youth and neighbors alike.

“Mom” to All

One of Aylsa’s most cherished roles was serving as Cheerleading Sponsor at Gilcrease Junior High, where she became lovingly known as “Mom.” That nickname, first given by the cheerleaders—including “the five Debbies,” two Stephanies, Judy, Toni, and Pam—followed her throughout life as a symbol of her warmth, support, and open-hearted nature.

Aylsa and Jerry stayed closely connected to their extended family, attending important events, visiting often, and showing up with love and support whenever it was needed. They created lasting memories for nieces, nephews, cousins, siblings, and friends alike.

Later Years and New Adventures

After Pam began college and later married Gary in 1973, Aylsa and Jerry moved to East 26th Street in Tulsa, where they again transformed their home—adding an addition with a brick fireplace and creating stained glass cabinetry for the remodeled kitchen.

Aylsa began a long and successful career as Deputy Court Clerk for Tulsa County, serving for 27 years and retiring as Department Head of the Civil Division. and Jerry became a Tulsa County Deputy Sheriff. Together, they helped Pam and Gary with the Brass Ring Paso Fino Horse Farm in Beggs, Oklahoma. As a family, they participated in horse shows across the country, hosted trail rides and parades, and created the Equine Street Journal for the Oklahoma Paso Fino Club.

Kellyville Years and Lasting Friendships

Eventually, Aylsa and Jerry moved to an acreage in Kellyville, OK, where they cared for the remaining horses and once again took on the task of remodeling the house and barns. After Jerry’s passing in 2010 and Aylsa’s retirement, she embarked on a new adventure: volunteering at Kellyville Public Schools for eight years. She also became an active member of the Cooking Ministry at First Baptist Church in Kellyville, where her macaroni and cheese was always in high demand.

Aylsa found deep friendship and support in Kellyville. When a small tornado damaged her home, neighbors and friends showed up—helping with repairs, farm chores, feeding her cats, and regularly stopping by to check on her. Their kindness was a true reflection of the caring community that openly welcomed her.  The Friends in Kellyville (to numerous to name) became part of her extended family.

Final Chapter in Edmond

In 2018, after a serious illness, Aylsa moved to Edmond to live with Pam and Gary. True to form, she immediately found ways to contribute—helping around the home and building new friendships. She also began her Angel Ministry, crafting beautiful angel pins and giving them to people she felt were in need or were quietly serving others. Her message was always: “You have to be an angel to get one.”  Here she became Mom to Brad, Barbara, Warren, Leslie, Jennifer, Ray, Dorothy, Chuck, Jim, Lynette, Andy, Jazz, and Maya and she cherished these newfound friends.

With Gratitude

The family would like to extend our deepest thanks to Aylsa’s hospice caregivers from Trinity and Interim. Your compassion and care for “Our Mom” meant the world to us. You not only honored her life—you helped us celebrate it.

To watch the video for Aylsa please click the link below.

https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/5LRK6Z7B4LGT5GFQ