Rilla Hickerson was born and raised in Southwestern Oklahoma in the community of Snyder and moved to Tulsa some 50+ years ago.
Rilla is a charter member of the Tulsa Area Iris Society that was organized in 1962. Although she has not served in any capacity for Region 22 or AIS, she is very active in her local society. She and her husband, Alva Hickerson, were very active in the society and since his death in 1986, she has not stopped being active. In the early years of the society she served as treasurer, worked with the 1980 convention, has dug and donated many, many irises for the TAIS Rhizomes Sales, and has shown many irises in the Tulsa shows. Rilla is considered one of the most knowledgeable people on irises in Tulsa and Region 22. Rilla has also been both show chairman and rhizome sale chairman for the Tulsa Area Iris Society.
She has been a member of AIS since 1961 and is currently an AIS Retired Master Judge. She has judged many iris shows in Region 22 and some in Region 17.
She is or has been a member of North Central Oklahoma Iris Society in Enid, OK.; Northern Oklahoma Iris Society in Ponca City, OK.; and Sooner State Iris Society in Oklahoma City, OK.; the Median Iris Society, the Tall Bearded Iris Society, and the Society For Louisiana Iris.
Rilla has introduced the following irises. Pleasure Peach a Tall Bearded in 1991, Raspberry Rilla a Louisiana Iris in 2001, and has registered Our Ruth a Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris.
Rilla has been a mentor for many members of the Tulsa Area Iris Society, sharing both her love and knowledge of iris with us as well as giving irises to many people, both members and non members. She has demonstrated "How To Grow" irises at many shows and sales in her education booth.