Charlotte Lyke

Arnold Moore & Neekamp - Mrs. Charlotte Ann Lyke, age 88 and well-known Bartlesville resident, passed away in Heritage Villa Nursing Center on Tuesday, April 12, 2016. Miss Charlotte, as she was known by those who knew her, was born Charlotte Ann Lyke on June 17, 1927 in Bartlesville. She was the daughter of Cortland C. Lyke and Nora (Brown) Lyke. She grew up and received her early education in the Bartlesville area. She was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church (now Bartlesville First Church). Charlotte's love for the arts developed at a young age. She was playing the piano and violin while also practicing ballet and dance by the time she was seven years old. She would get up at 4:00 AM to practice either piano or violin or both before school. As a child, Charlotte was the sweetheart of Bartlesville, giving frequent piano recitals. However, dance was always closest to her heart. Charlotte's career teaching ballet spanned a period of over 62 years. She was the Artistic Director of Bartlesville Civic Ballet (BCB) for 40 years. It was in 1971 that Charlotte first became involved with the BCB, coming on board as the ballet mistress. She had already taught ballet in Bartlesville for 20 years at that time and was associated with Junior Dance Theatre of the Tulsa Civic Ballet, making her the ideal addition to the BCB. She was later promoted to Artistic Director of the BCB. In 2011, she received the life-time honor of Artistic Director Emerita from the Bartlesville Civic Ballet, the highest honor bestowed by a ballet company. Miss Charlotte once remarked to a friend that she was not just teaching ballet, she was teaching the children to be young ladies and gentlemen. She never expected more of others than she was willing to give herself. She was the Grand-Lady of the ballet for years and she will be greatly missed. Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents, Cortland and Nora Lyke; and an infant daughter, Steva, in 1964. She is survived by her son, James Stephen Conatser and his wife, Dr. Kerri Williams, of Bartlesville; granddaughter, Mindy Anne Walthall and her husband, Kevin; and two great-grandchildren , Cortland Gage Walthall and Grahm Thomas Walthall. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Charlotte's memory, may be made to the Bartlesville Civic Ballet, P.O. Box 921, Bartlesville, OK 74005. Come and go visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 20, from 9:00 AM-8:00 PM in the Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home, 710 S. Dewey Ave. Family will be present to greet friends from 4-6:00 PM. Services will be held on Thursday, April 21, at 1:00 PM in Bartlesville First Church, 4715 Price Rd., Bartlesville. Rev. Tari Carbaugh will officiate. Interment will follow the service in Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.honoring.memories.com.

Visitation Details

Wednesday, April 20th, 2016 4:00pm - 6:00pm, Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home

Service Details

Thursday, April 21st, 2016 1:00pm

Interment Details

Memorial Park Cemetery Bartlesville