Ruby Iva Lee Strickland Stewart was born to her earthly family on February 5, 1928 in Florien, LA. She peacefully left this earth to join her beloved husband and the rest of her heavenly family on October 7th at her home in Bethany, OK. Iva was the 7th and "middle child" of 13 children born to John Azah and LeNora Strickland. She was blessed to be part of a large and loving Christian family. She attended Mt. Carmel High School and was the Valedictorian of her graduating class. Following high school, Iva attended business school and began working as a secretary. She married her childhood sweetheart, Kenneth Stewart on October 24, 1948 in Bossier City, LA. She was a proud Air Force wife of 20 years with assignments in Alabama, Washington D.C., Alaska, Louisiana, Michigan and Florida. During his career, Ken was called to serve on two different overseas assignments. Soon after they were married Ken was stationed in Japan for two years during the Korean War. The next time, Iva made an even greater sacrifice being left to care for their four children on her own while Ken served in Vietnam for 13 months. After his retirement from the Air Force in 1968, Ken and Iva moved their family to Bethany, OK to begin the next chapter of their lives. Soon after moving, Iva became the secretary for the Bethany Chamber of Commerce, leaving her mark on many areas of the city as well as becoming a trusted friend to many city officials and businessmen. Setting her sights on another career, Iva attended nursing school at OSU/OKC and graduated with her Bachelors of Nursing degree in 1981 at the age of 50. Soon after, she began her nursing career at Gilbert Medical Center in Bethany where she worked for a total of 22 years. She was a notably skilled and "favorite" nurse to many over the years. After retirement, she enjoyed traveling, gardening and watching basketball games. Iva and Ken were avid supporters of SNU basketball and later, OKC Thunder! Everything stopped for Iva whenever "her" Thunder played on TV, wanting to stay close just in case they needed her. Ivas love for basketball came from her own playing time in high school and later in a military recreational league where she once scored 32 points in a single game. Iva and Ken gave their hearts to the Lord early in their marriage while in Anchorage, Alaska and faithfully lived the rest of their 61 years together as beautiful examples of a committed and Godly marriage. Iva has been a long time member of Bethany First Church of the Nazarene and the Kumjoynus Sunday School Class. Over the years, she accepted many opportunities to graciously volunteer for her church family. Iva lived her life with grace, simplicity and an unwavering spirit. She was genuine and authentic in every sense of the word. Her family will remember her as loving, selfless, steady, strong, and quick witted, but most of all as a Godly mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Iva is survived by her son, Rodney of Bethany; daughter, Marcia Mosshart (husband Tim) of Oklahoma City; son, Mark (wife Lori) of Bethany; daughter, Nancy Summers (husband Todd) of Bethany; grandchildren, Abby Mosshart Brobston (husband Michael), Kendi Mosshart Proctor (husband Austin), Micah Stewart (wife Kayla) and Stewart Summers; great-grandchildren, Rhett, Reese and Reagan Brobston, Si Proctor and Quinten Stewart. Iva also leaves behind her beloved sisters, Laverne Blackmon, Robbie Peterson and Betty Whittington of Shreveport, LA., Mary Lou McClung of Florien, LA; and a large extended family who loved and cherished her. The family would like to thank the many friends and family members who were such an encouragement during her illness. Memorials can be made to the Angel Fund for students at Southern Nazarene University 6729 NW 39th Expressway, Bethany, OK 73008. Funeral Service Tuesday, October 10, 2017 02:00 PM Bethany First Church of the Nazarene 6789 N.W. 39th Expressway Bethany, OK 73008