Nettie Olla Thompson

  General Notes:

Services for Nettie Olla Thompson Soules, 94, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, October 7, 2016, at Stewart Family Funeral Home, Tyler, with Rev. Ken Brumley officiating. Interment will follow at Cathedral in the Pines Cemetery in Tyler. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. prior to the services.

Mrs. Soules passed away October 1, 2016, at Hospice of East Texas in Tyler following a short illness.

Nettie Olla Thompson Soules was born March 19, 1922, the only daughter of Olera "Ola" Thatch Sadler Thompson and Richard Thouston Thompson, in the Prairie Lee community east of Troup. After Salem High School graduation, Olla married her "one true love" Marion Edward Soules of Goldthwaite, Texas, in 1941. Following Ed's return from WWII, they, with son John Edward, moved to Dallas, Texas where twins Trevelyn Sue and Richard Hugh were born. Ed's profession enabled the family to live throughout Texas. In 1968, Olla and Ed moved to Connecticut, where they traveled to many wonderful places worldwide. They moved to Houston, Texas, in 1970, and Olla began art lessons with Karen Pennison. Retiring in 1996, they moved to Tyler, Texas, where she continued studying under Penny Nichols Sanders. Oil painting brought much joy to Olla; her family treasures their gifted paintings.

Olla was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her brothers, James Overton Thompson and John Thouston and spouse, Jane Warrington Thompson; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Gilstrap Soules; and son-in-law, Howard Roscoe Patterson.

Olla is survived by her three children and spouses, John Sr. and Judy Soules of Tyler, Sue Patterson of White Oak, and Hugh and Kay Soules of Lindale; four grandchildren, Mark and Carren Soules of Austin, John Jr. and Sherri Soules of Bullard, Rebecca and Craig Herrin of White Oak, and Matthew and Rachael Stricklin of Austin; 10 great-grandchildren, Jennifer and A.J. Graf of Rogers AR, Clair, Grant, and Jack Soules of Austin, Brendan Andrews and Alyssa Jones of White Oak, Mary Payton and Laila Soules of Bullard, and Georgia and Wilder Stricklin of Austin; brother and spouse, Larkey Filmore and Billie Sue Thompson of Tyler; sisters-in-law, Judy Thompson of Arp, Jean Soules of Cedartown, GA, Janet Frame of College Station; brother-in-law and spouse John and Dorothy Soules of Sundown; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews, all of whom loved her dearly.

For all of the wonderful care and support from her children and caregivers, Olla was truly grateful. Her extended family and friends are remembered with love and gratitude for their kindness during her last years. Olla and her family wish to extend heartfelt thanks to Jim and Hortensia Acker and children for their nutritious daily love. Generous hearts, spiritual strength, and loving care were always cheerfully offered by Teresa Cornejo, Adeline Martinez, Sheila Moore, Nancy Bishop, and Madeline Helsel.

Olla, known to family as "Mom," was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. It was within that devotion that she found the greatest happiness and joy throughout her life.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be offered to Bethesda Health Clinic, 409 West Ferguson Street, Tyler, 75702, or to The Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, 75701.

Published online in the Tyler Morning Telegraph, October 5, 2016. ¹

Olla married Marion Edward Soules, son of Luther Hugh Soules and Frances Blanche Harper, on 17 Mar 1941 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas. (Marion Edward Soules was born on 5 May 1917 in Goldthwaite, Mills County, Texas,² died on 15 Sep 2011 in Tyler, Smith County, Texas and was buried in Cathedral in the Pines Cemetery, Tyler, Smith County, Texas.)