Effie Ritter Thompson, of Mangum passed away on January 9, 2024. Effie was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Robert and Mrytle Ritter on June 12th. At that time, she joined two brothers and was then followed by four more ornery brothers. Growing up as the only little girl (also known as the little princess), she learned really quickly how to outplay, outwork and of course outsmart her brothers.
At the age of 16 Effie was ready to move on to her next adventure, her first love Tommy J. Thompson. They were married on July 16th and the honeymoon began. I am sure you all know the story, first comes love, then comes marriage, Oops, here comes Rocky in the baby carriage! And that baby carriage came by two more times with Margaret and Then Paula.
Even though she had her hands full with her husband and children, she still had time to take on a
job outside of the home. Effie had many jobs throughout her life. Most of the time she worked
more than one job. Her motto was, “if you had any problem no matter how big or small, get a job,
and if you had a job get a second job, or a third job” (do you get the picture). She worked as a
waitress at the Taste-Freez, in social services at the nursing home, she became an EMT for the
Greer County Ambulance Service and at the hospital and several other positions within the
hospital and area clinics. Effie loved people and doing things for them. After working at the
nursing home, she had a great idea to buy a restaurant so she could serve many! Effie started with
the Tastee-Freez, then moved down the street to the Dairy Queen which eventually
became known as Effie’s. After selling, she needed something to do, so she went to work at the
Oklahoma State Reformatory. After retirement she wasn’t quite ready to quit working, so she went
back to work. Her last official job was once again in social services at the hospital.
Effie was involved in many organizations, but her favorite was, Girl Scouts, where she served as
the leader, the neighborhood chairman for Greer County, and the Camp Director at Camp Kate in
Granite for many years. Her second favorite organization was the Mangum Mounties (it was really
Tommy’s favorite) but it became just as important to her. Due to their commitment and dedication,
they became the Mountie's only Lifetime Members. Along with volunteering, Effie’s hobbies
included painting, fishing with her brothers Bill and Melvis, gardening and canning, and having
her grandkids attend ‘Granny Effie’s Cooking School’.
Those who were waiting on Effie with open arms were her Parents Robert and Myrtle Ritter, her
brothers John and wife Evelyn, Bill and wife Hazel, Melvis, Lane, baby brother Floyd, and most
certainly, the light of her life, her husband Tommy whom she was married to for 64 wonderful
years.
The family she leaves behind are Tommy’s kids by his first wife, Rocky and wife Dana, Margaret
and husband James, and Paula; Grandkids, Stoney, Dustin, April, Danielle and husband
Vinnie, and Kelsey and husband Joel; Great Grandchildren, Brooklyn, Jasper, Makahla, Angel,
Jasmin, Nicholas, Alex, Liam, Asher, and Jayden. And a great great grandbaby on the way;
Brother Skipper and wife Peggy; Sisters in Law, Velma and Debbie. And her best friend Bernice
Channell; A host of many nieces, nephews, and cousins (lots of cousins)
Effie’s final words to you all.
“Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, Jesus loves you and I do too!!!”
To send flowers in memory of Effie Thompson, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
12
Jan
235 South Pennsylvania
Mangum, OK 73554
Funeral
13
Jan
128 N. Pennsylvania Ave
Mangum, OK 73554
Interment
19
Jan
2648 NE Jake Dunn Rd.
Elgin, OK 73551
