Okerleen Mabry Thompson

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Okerleen Mabry Thompson, 94, resident of Columbia and beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at her residence.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home with David Morris officiating.  Burial will follow at John Lay Cemetery in Ethridge.  The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 12:00 noon until time of the services at the funeral home.  

Memorials may be made to Highland Church of Christ Building Fund, 497 East James Campbell Blvd., Columbia, TN 38401, or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.  Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Okerleen was born on August 29, 1929, in Lawrence County, TN, to the late Little Patrick Mabry and the late Vera Oaks Mabry.  She graduated from Summertown High School in 1946 and attended Columbia Business College. She valued work and had a high work ethic, retiring at the age of 79 from the State of Tennessee Department of Revenue. Okerleen enjoyed growing flowers and plants, keeping up with current world events through the news, and spending time with family.  She was actively involved in Highland Church of Christ where she had been a member for 68 years. She was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her daughter, Connie Thompson Riddle of Columbia; son, Wade (Julie) Thompson of Murfreesboro; sister, Patricia Mabry Hulen of Columbia; three grandchildren, Rebecca Riddle Farris (Ben) of Columbia, Bethany Riddle Gray (James) of Columbia, and Emily Thompson of Murfreesboro; five great grandchildren, Linley Farris, Mabry Gray, Eden Farris, Calvin Gray, and Everett Gray.  

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant son, Gary Allan Thompson, and her son in law, Roger Riddle.

Active pallbearers will be Ben Farris, James Gray, Darryl Hulen, Rush Holladay, Patrick Holladay, Patrick Hulen, and Preston Holladay.