Vona Rae Thompson

Vona Rae Thompson, age 69, of Moore, Oklahoma passed away on January 7th 2026 in her home surrounded by her family.

Vona, or “Susie” as she was also commonly known as, was born December 13th 1956 at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma, the daughter of Roy and Elizabeth Johnson. She lived in manyplaces in her adolescence due to her dad serving in the Air Force. Some of these places included the Philippines, Alaska,North Carolina, California, Texas, Utah, and Oklahoma. 

Vona graduated in 1975 from a High school in Columbus, Ohio.She later went on to college at El Reno community college to earn her associates degree to get her RN License and then on toSouthern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma to earn her BSN. She started and finished her nursing career at the VA hospital where she spent 30 years of service. She kept her RN license up to date even after retirement until the year 2022. 

Working and moving up the ladder at the VA was a big part of Vona’s life, but an even bigger part of her life came out of the VA. She met her current husband Michael Kent Thompsonthere. They got married on August 4th 2001 at Eureka Springs, Arkansas and were married for 24 wonderful years. Kent was by Vona’s side, holding her hand until the day she passed. 

Vona was a generous person in both her home and her work life.No matter who she was coming home to, whether it was her children, husband, grandchildren, or just guests, she came in with a smile on her face. She came in looking to serve whoever was there and expected nothing in return. Vona was the epitome of selflessness, even towards the end of her life. She stayed with her parents to take care of them while they were recovering after falling and being in the hospital. She always prioritized her family and did everything she could to take care of them. 

Vona was known as many things, a daughter, sister, wife, mom,aunt, nanny, and friend. To have her in your life meant that you would have someone who you could always count on, who would tell you the truth even if you did not like it, and who would teach you to love others and God no matter what... And if you were REALLY lucky, you had someone who gave the best hugs, the best advice, and made you say “yes dear”, “yes mom”, or “yes nanny” even if you didn’t want to hear it or believe what she was saying was right (and she always was).

Vona’s favorite activities included Camping, fishing, gardening, doing puzzles, playing games, and spending time with her family. Her and Kent spent a lot of time down at their farm relaxing, camping, fishing, and tending to their animals. The two of them often sent their family and friends photos of them sitting outside, sipping coffee, and watching the sunsets together. 

Her and her daughter Vona or “Dee Dee” shared their interest in gardening together and often swapped plants and plant tips with each other. Susie loved working in her gardens where her plants spanned from her beautiful rose bushes in the front to the vegetables in the back that her and Kent ate at dinner. 

While Vona enjoyed the occasional puzzle during quiet nights at home, what she loved most was spending time with her family.She loved learning and playing all sorts of games, but Vonadidn’t care if she was winning or losing as long as she was with the people she loved. 

Her Granddaughter Katie’s favorite memory with her Nannywas preparing Thanksgiving dinner every year. Katie would stay the night with her and the two of them would stay up all night long cooking, listening to KOMA on the radio, and playing Mexican Train. They had so much fun singing, dancing, and imitating train sounds that before they knew it, it was three in the morning. They often didn’t sleep before Thanksgiving, but neither of them cared because they loved spending time together. 

Remaining to cherish Vona’s memory are her parents Roy and Elizabeth Johnson, her husband Michael Thompson, and their large extended family and friends who all loved her. The list of people who loved and were loved by Vona is so vast that I couldn’t possibly list them all here, but just know she is looking down on all of us and whether you are family or not, if you loved Vona, she loved you.                    

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