Class of 1959
1959 Maroon Spotlight
Darla Mayes
Football Queen 56-57, Homeroom Officer 56-57, Junior Class Secretary 57-58, Christmas Vespers 56-59, Junior Play 57-58, Band 56-59, Class Assembly 56-59, All-School Revue 56-58, Glee Club 56-59, F. T.A. 58-59, Home Economic Style Show 57-58.
1959 Graduation EditionPerry Daily Journal
Darla Jo Mayes, 17, the 1956-57 PHS football queen, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Mayes, now of Denver. She makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Long, 233 Cedar street. Darla Jo was born May 12, 1941, in Carnegie, and attended school at Gotebo before coming to Perry. She has been in the band, glee club, all school revue, class assemblies, was a homeroom officer, took part in the junior play, Christmas vespers and home economics style show, was junior class secretary and a member of the student council. Her favorite subject is shorthand, and swimming is her hobby. Darla Jo plans to attend an airline school in Kansas City, Missouri.
Darla Jo (Mayes) Mornhinweg
May 12, 1941 – August 11, 2026
Darla Jo Mornhinweg passed away peacefully at home on August 11, 2026.
Born on May 12, 1941 in Carnegie, Oklahoma, she was the daughter of Ralph and Mildred Mayes. She began her schooling in Gotebo, Oklahoma, before attending high school in Perry, Oklahoma, where she graduated in 1959.
To know Darla was to become fast friends with her. She first started driving at 11 years old on her family’s farm. A talented actress, singer, and athlete, Darla played basketball and softball, participated in plays and the glee club, and was crowned the 1956–57 Football Queen. After high school she married the Perry High School quarterback, Larry Mornhinweg. Their marriage lasted 59 years.
With a sincere trust in and deep love for Jesus Christ, Darla was a devoted and wonderful mother to her four children. The family lived in Oklahoma, Texas, and Massachusetts before settling in San Jose, California, in 1974.
She cherished her 27-year career at Bank of the West and spent countless hours at athletic fields and stadiums supporting her children and coaching cheer. Darla loved people, enjoyed every kind of sport, and lived with a deep passion for life.
A Celebration of Darla’s life will be held on Saturday, August 29, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the home she loved for 52 years.