Elvina Ruth Nez Thompson

With heavy hearts, we announce the sudden passing of Elvina Ruth Nez Thompson, lovingly known to many as Vina or Mrs. Thompson, in the early hours of October 16, 2025. Elvina was the heart of her family – kind, strong, and full of love. Her final days were spent surrounded by love, with her husband David Clay Thompson, who was her soul mate, and one of her beloved granddaughter, Rhea Eleanor Keen, by her side.

Elvina was born on January 13th, 1964, in Claremore, Oklahoma, to Leo Wayne Nez of Many Farm, Arizona, and Mable Ann Pritchett, of Hulbert, Oklahoma. Elvina spent her youth in Yonkers, OK. She was the eldest of many children. She helped her grandmother, Evelyn (Sisney) Pritchett, take care of her younger siblings. Always the giver, Elvina volunteered as a candy striper during her youth and took care of many nieces, nephews, and younger cousins throughout her years. Elvina loved the outdoors, especially enjoying camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, and archery. Some of the many things that her and Clay shared together. Her favorite pastimes included reading, chess, comics, movies, and listening to every genre of music – all of which she shared with her children and grandchildren.

Elvina lovingly chose her own grandma-name to be Mumzy – unique and fun, just like her. She was the best Mumzy her grandchildren could ever hope for, and the most loving mother to her children, Victoria, Osceola, and Aaron. She was blessed to spend recent time with her son Osceola while he was home from the Navy, a visit that brought her immense joy. Her daughter Victoria unmistakenly takes after Elvina in both looks and humor. Elvina also loved her stepson Aaron as her own and cherished her grandbabies Rhea and April with all her heart.

Everyone who knew Elvina knew that she loved to laugh. Her laughter was infectious and genuine. Once a practical jokester in her youth, her sense of humor grew and brought joy and happiness to those around her. Elvina especially enjoyed a good math joke. Her love, empathy, and even her math jokes and geometry puns will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.

Elvina was very intelligent and motivated; she obtained a Master of Mathematics from Northeastern State University and the Advanced Mathematics Teaching Certification in Oklahoma while working and raising her daughter Victoria, who draws continuous inspiration from her. Elvina passion for mathematics and desire to leave a lasting impact on people’s lives led her to pursue a career as an educator. Elvina dedicated her life to education and service, touching countless lives throughout her 20 years as a mathematics teacher, primarily teaching geometry and trigonometry at Sequoyah High School. She was known to most as Nez, and sponsored both the chess club and gaming club – loving to play board and video games herself (especially Galaga and Legend of Zelda). Her students were her pride and joy, each one considered part of her extended family. Thanks to her sincerity, she had a gift for connection, always finding someone to chat with wherever she went, and she remembered every student fondly. Her legacy lives on in the lives she shaped and the love she gave so freely.

She was preceded in death by her mother Mable Ann (Pritchett) Rose, Oklahoma; brothers Tim Pritchett and Raymond Rose; her sister Levena Nez of Arizona; her grandmothers Evelyn (Henson) Pritchett and Zonnie Yazzie (Nez); her stepmother Nellie C. Nez of Arizona; her father-in-law David Lloyd Thompson; her aunt Pat Pritchett; her nephew Brikk Pritchett; and her cousin John Rabbit.

Elvina is survived by her father Leo Wayne Nez; her devoted husband David Clay Thompson; her children David Osceola Thompson and Victoria Renee (Kanada) Keen; her granddaughters Rhea Eleanor Keen and April Dawn Keen; her son-in-law Jonathan Dow Keen; her stepson Aaron Michael Kanada; her brothers Francis Nez and Robert Rose of Oklahoma, and Lyman Nez of Arizona; her sisters Amanda Rose of Oklahoma, and Vina Nez, Leona (Nez) Bia, Alvina Nez, and Alanna Nez all of Arizona; her aunts Nancy McBeath, Eva (Elizabeth Pritchett) Van Winkle, Juanita Rabbit, and Mary Hall; her uncle Tony Pritchett; her stepfather Cordell Rose; her mother-in-law Kathryn Thompson; and an abundance of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, friends, and students who loved her dearly.