Helen Pearl Thomas

Helen Pearl Ikenberry Thomas was born on September 28, 1922, to Wylie Melton and Sally Loretta Young in Weleetka, Oklahoma. Helen grew up with four sisters and two brothers. She was raised in the Hominy area on a small farm a few miles north of town in a small community of Mound Valley.

Helen got married when she was sixteen to Pierce W (P W) Thomas in Wynona, Oklahoma on December 21, 1938. This happy couple lived together for over 50 years before P W passed. Helen had two daughters: Frieda and Barbara. She raised her family on the family farm where she spent her life taking care of those she loved.

Helen married again later in life to Bill Ikenberry on October 27, 1998, in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. They spent eleven years together. Bill and Helen liked to travel. They went to Hawaii a couple of times and took some cruises.

Helen loved her church and was very active. She was always cooking for the events that were going on at the church. She was a member of the Mound Valley Home Demonstration Club. Going fishing with the grandkids was an enjoyable time for her. She had a large garden and spent lots of time canning. She was a seamstress and made most of the girl’s clothes as they were growing up. Helen loved to cook for her family and the holidays were a big event. She didn’t let anyone help, she wanted to do all the cooking.

Helen passed from this life on Sunday morning February 25, 2024, at Legends at Tulsa Hills Assisted Living center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was 101 years old.  

Helen is survived by her daughters Frieda Ferguson and Barbara Walker; five grandchildren Larry (Melva) Ferguson, Brian (Traci) Ferguson, Darren (Laura) Ferguson, David Ferguson, and Keri (Chris) Goble; ten great grandchildren; six great great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husbands P W Thomas and Bill Ikenberry; her parents Wylie and Sally Young; her siblings Valley Reed, Myrtle Twist, Beulah Blocker, Nova Jean Wooten, Alva Young, and Harvey Young.

Funeral service for Helen Thomas will be 10:00 am Friday, March 1, 2024, at Hominy First Assembly of God Church with burial to follow at A J Powell Memorial Cemetery in Hominy, Oklahoma. Clifton Phelps will be officiating. Arrangements by Powell Funeral Home in Hominy, Oklahoma.