On a beautiful, sunny day in Tuttle, Oklahoma, Albert G. and Ada [White] Thompson celebrated the birth of a darling, baby girl on the 3rd day of May, 1921. They named me Iva Pearl.



While yet an infant, my birth mother passed away and although she was missed, I was raised by my step-mother, Pearl and my dad, Albert G. Thompson, who I have now rejoined in Heaven.



I have lived in Muskogee for the last 35 years or so, after spending a portion of my life in Texarkana, Texas. I fell in love with a handsome gentleman, Thomas C. Shackelford and we were married in 1955. He went to be with the Lord in 1987.



Since returning to Muskogee, I have continued to live a busy life. The peace in the country at my home has always been a comfort to me. I loved to sew, quilt, work in my garden, do a little knitting and even some crocheting. However, there was a break in each day, when the Jeopardy Game Show came on. All of my dear friends and loved ones always realized that this was not a time to call me.



I really enjoyed the various organizations that I held memberships in; the Muskogee Bowling Association, the Muskogee Swingers Square Dance Club and of course, AARP and my friends there.



All who knew me realized that a large portion of my life was spent doing something I love, food service. I began my career working for Kress Store behind the fountain stand, and for many years, I worked for the Muskogee Board of Education with the School Lunch Program. I loved to help at the Green Thumb Senior Citizens Center as well as Deep Fork Community Action.



My dear family and friends, on last Friday morning, around 6:00 A.M., I woke up in Glory and I am so happy with my Lord, in Heaven. Thank you Barbara and Curtis, Norma, my sister-in-law, Doris and especially Anna, my nurse for being there and for your tender love and care. Please be comforted to know that I am alright and that I am safe in the Arms of Jesus.



Please remember that I live on because of you, my dear family; a son, Phillip Smith, of Bethany, Oklahoma; my daughters, Barbara Taylor and her husband, Curtis, who live in Kansas City, Missouri, Freda Harrington, of Aurora, Colorado and Phyllis Underwood and her husband Roger, Orange, California; and of course, my sisters, Vina Sharp, Grand Junction, Colorado, Norma J. Rhodes, Shell Knob, Missouri, Geraldine Nusz and husband Leonard, Waukomis, Oklahoma, and Louis Shultz and wife Merlyn, Okeene, Oklahoma; my brothers, Loyd Thompson and wife Betty, of Cambridge, Nebraska, Jim Thompson, Watonga, Oklahoma and Melvin Thompson and wife Barbara, Del City, Oklahoma; my 12 beautiful grandchildren and the great-grandchildren that are too many to count, that I love dearly. Thank you family, for your love and thank you my dear friends, for your kindness. May God bless you all.

The service of memory will be held on Monday, February 20, 2006 at 11:00 A.M. in the Community Church, on East Smith Ferry Road. Rev. Roger Pratt, Pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Sunday from 1 PM to 5 PM at the funeral home.