OSWEGO — Lisa A. Hays, 50, realized the promise of her Savior’s love late afternoon Friday, Dec. 23, 2011, at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kan., following a courageous and faithful battle with cancer.

She was born Jan. 27, 1961, in El Dorado and was later adopted by her parents, Allen and Donna Miller. In 1979, she graduated from Derby High School at Derby. In 1983, she earned a bachelor’s of biblical literature degree from Ozark Christian College in Joplin and received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg in 2001.

She lived many places, including Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado and Texas, but Oswego became home. She loved music and was an excellent vocalist and instrumentalist. She adored writing and grammar and was an aspiring author. She was an avid runner, and loved the mountains and the ocean. She was a member of Oswego Christian Church, where she served her Lord faithfully. She was a children’s group leader and led music at various youth activities. After spending her children’s early lives at home with them, she began her teaching career in 2001 in the Parsons school district. Beginning in 2003, Lisa taught at Neosho Heights Elementary School at Oswego and in 2006 began teaching English at Oswego Middle School, where she was also Scholar Bowl coach.

On March 9, 1985, she married Phillip Hays at Countryside Christian Church in Pittsburg. He survives of the home.

Other survivors include a son, Caleb Jonathan Hays, a student at Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg; a daughter, Corrie Nicole Hays, a student at Oklahoma Christian University, Edmond, Okla.; her parents, Allen and Donna Miller of Olathe, Colo.; three brothers, Allen Wayne Miller and his wife, Elizabeth, of El Paso, Texas, Brent Miller of California and Christopher Miller and his wife, Chaleena, of Denver; four sisters, Diana Ladd and her husband, Lee, of Indianapolis, Ind., Tami McCay and her husband, Jason, of Olathe, Colo., Christina Aragon and her husband, Joe, of Montrose, Colo., and Melody Colburn and her husband, Patrick, of Niles, Mich.; maternal grandparents, Don and Edna Watson of Wichita; many nieces and nephews; and hundreds of dear friends and students.

Before her death, she composed a list of the events in life for which she was most thankful. It began with cancer, but included her God, her family, her students and her lifelong love of music.

A celebration of Lisa’s life was Tuesday at Oswego Christian Church under the direction of Derfelt Funeral Home, Oswego, with Minister Vernon Wells officiating. Burial of her earthly body was in Oswego Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made toward the publication of her book, “Mommy Never Smoked.” Proceeds will be given to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, Kansas City, Mo.

Online condolences may be left at www.derfeltfuneralhome.com.