Ann Gadberry Thompson

Ann Gadberry Thompson died peacefully March 22 surrounded by her loving family while listening to her favorite Rock-in-Roll tunes.

Ann was born in El Reno, Oklahoma on Dec. 21,1937 to Luther and Nelle Gadberry. Two years later she was given her lifelong best friend and sister, Jane, and the two Gadberry sisters were from then on attached at the hip.

Ann graduated from El Reno High School in 1955 as valedictorian of her class while also taking herself to state in tennis. She moved to Norman, Oklahoma where she graduated with honors in 1959 from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in History. She began her career as a ghost writer for Luther Gaderry's weekly column called "The Cluttered Desk.” She served as administrative assistant for the product control manager of General Mills and then worked at the Rock Island Railroad and retired as an administrative assistant to the President around 1980.

In the year of 1958, Ann attended her best friend Judith Stevenson Thompson’s wedding as the maid of honor. As luck would have it, she married the best man, Maurice Ellsworth Thompson Jr. “Buddy” on Oct. 9,1959. They raised two children Ann Elizabeth and Douglas. They were married for over 62 years and there was not a dance floor in Oklahoma these two love birds didn’t touch. She later became a “Nanny” to her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren devoting her life to raising them and attending any of their sporting activities.

After her retirement from the Rock Island Railroad, Ann was an active member and a perpetual Vice President of the El Reno PEO Chapter M for 40 years. She was also a member and served as President of the Athenaeum Club, a literary society supporting the El Reno Carnegie Library. She opened her home to both organizations and acted as hostess.

She also enjoyed giving back to her community by Mobile Mealing with her beloved sister Jane. She was a fearsome lefty who loved the game of tennis.

Ann is survived by son, Douglas Luther Thompson and wife Cindy; grandchildren and their spouses, Virginia Martin and husband Adrian; Elizabeth Montgomery and husband Jonathan; Carol Bodine; MacKenzie Ahlers and husband Jon; Dylan Thompson; great grandchildren Kaesen and Bodhi Montgomery; brother-in-law David Ratliff, Jim Thompson and wife Mary Jane and Richard Thompson; niece Amanda Ratliff Cleveland and husband Shawn and nephew Steven Ratliff.

Ann is preceded in death by her parents Luther and Nelle Gadberry; husband Maurice E. Thompson Jr.; sister Jane Ratliff; daughter Ann Elizabeth Bodine and husband Thomas; brother-in-laws John Thompson and wife Judy, David Thompson and wife Laquita, Kent Thompson and wife Verna and sister-in-law Helen Thompson Peirce, Mary Jane Lenz and husband Steve and Carolyn Thompson.

Services will be Monday, March 28 at 2 p.m. at the First Christian Church of El Reno (400 S Barker Ave). Burial will be held at the Calumet Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home in El Reno.

In lieu of flowers the family asks you to support one of these wonderful charities; Breast Cancer Research Foundation, OMRF and or Russell Murray Hospice.