Iva Spring

Iva J. Spring, 98, of Kinta, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2020, in Muskogee, at St. Francis Hospital. She was born Dec. 23, 1921, to Bishop A. and Agnes Harris.

Iva was raised in Kinta and graduated from Kinta High School. She fell in love with a young man who stole her heart and they were married on July 12, 1941, in Kinta. They moved to Wichita, Kan. after they were married, then later to Detroit, Mich. In 1958 they moved to Dallas, Texas. She worked at Texas Instruments for many years as a “quality control supervisor.” After BJ’s death in 2001, she moved back to Kinta and settled there for her remaining years.

Iva was a spirited woman who lived a long and fruitful independent life. She was loved dearly by family members. While she lived to 98, Iva was not frail in mind or body. Clear minded she always knew what she wanted, liked or disliked. To this end she ensured the words on her tombstone would be correct as she selected them. As her mother before her, Iva was a proud member of the Choctaw Nation.

“Sing no sad songs for me. Instead, tell others how I made you smile, how you enjoyed my company and the little things I may have done along the way to be of help to you and yours.”

 Her son and daughter-in-law, Gale Spring and Danielle Edwards, selected these words from the “Choctaw Funeral Cry” that describes Iva’s life and the way she lived. They were read at the graveside by her niece, Debbie Stephens.

Iva is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Gale Spring and Danielle Edwards; her niece, Debbie Stephens and a host of friends.

Iva is preceded in death by her parents, Bishop and Agnes Harris; her beloved husband, BJ Spring and her sister, Lillian Ogle.

 Iva was laid to rest in a private service 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 25, 2020, alongside her husband, BJ Spring in Sans Bois Cemetery just as she requested in Sans Bois, under the direction of King & Shearwood Funeral Home of Stigler, Oklahoma.