Ina Thompson

Ina L. THOMPSON Thousand Oaks, CA
Ina Leona Thompson, 97, passed very peacefully with family members present in the early evening, Saturday, August 12, at her care home in Thousand Oaks.
Ina was born in Maryville, TN, on August 5, 1920, to William Noah Whitehead and Mary Lou (Russell) Whitehead. She was the third of four daughters. Pearl Burton, Verna Yeaw, and Novella Callahan predeceased Ina. The Whiteheads moved to Ventura County in 1921 - first briefly to Moorpark, then to Simi Valley. Noah Whitehead was a farmer and the girls grew up on the Livingston Ranch on Highway 118 in Santa Susanna. Ina was in the first grade at Simi Elementary when the school opened in 1926. She graduated from Simi Valley Union High School in 1938 in a class of sixteen. Ina was a true Simi pioneer.
Ina first met her future husband, Rayburn, at the 1937 Rose Bowl game. Ray was a strapping young man from Somis. They were married on September 2, 1938, in Los Angeles. Their marriage continued for 66 years until Rayburn's passing in 2004.
Ina and Ray moved to Bell Gardens in 1939 and both worked in the defense industry during WWII. Ina was a true "Rosie" (right in photo). Daughter Rayna Lou was born in February, 1941. After the war, they moved back to Simi Valley where son Robert was born in 1946.
Ina and Ray both worked for Simi Schools until their retirement in 1976. Starting as a school secretary, Ina rose through the administrative ranks and became the Director of Classified Personnel. In retirement, they spent many summers working at Yellowstone Park though Kings Canyon remained their favorite.
Ina is survived by daughter Rayna Nelson, grandson Steve Hinton, (wife Elaine, children Tiffany [husband Mike], Miachelle [husband Sam, Cameron & Rayna], and Kenny [wife Madison]), son Robert Thompson, wife Christine, grandson Geoff Thompson (wife Silvia, Gabriel, Sofia), granddaughter Dr. Erin Presant (husband Jaron, Mackay, Ayla). Ina lovingly enjoyed her three grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Ina was a life-long member of the Methodist Church.
Ina's smile, her sense of humor, her optimism, her guidance, her friendship, and her generosity will be forever missed.
Special thanks to Tasha and her staff.
A graveside service will be held at Oakwood Memorial Park in Chatsworth on Saturday, August 19, at 11 a.m. Arrangements: Reardon Simi Valley Funeral Home.
Please make contributions in Ina's honor to the Simi Valley Historical Society & Museum, 137 Strathearn Place, Simi Valley, CA 93065