Charles Ivy

CHARLES IVY Gary, Indiana/ Coweta, Oklahoma We gather today to comfort and share in the celebration of the life of Charles Ivy. May we all gain strength from his life. Charles was born on September 23, 1969, in Stuttgard, Germany, to Valurie Cook Ivy and Charles Ivy Sr. Charles was raised in Gary, Indiana, where he attended Lincoln and Pulaski Schools. He enjoyed playing with and teasing his older brother Donte. Early on, Charles was a dreamer and builder. One of his first projects was to design and build a flower box for his mother. In 1988, Charles relocated to Oklahoma. He attended school in Coweta where he excelled in basketball becoming known as Charles "Baby" Ivy and earning the Defense award for his efforts. After graduation, he attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah for three years. Charles continued his love of design and building by becoming quite the entrepreneur. Over the years, he endeavored in many types of businesses such as tree trimming, carpet laying, tile work, painting and redesigning and remodeling homes. He approached each job with the attitude "A job worth doing, is worth doing well." Charles was an absolute delight and joy to everyone he met. He lived a life of exceptional loyalty, devotion, and integrity. There is a saying that goes: "Each man's life touches another." Charles' life is a testament to that. We are all made better because we knew him. Charles built an empire of friends. He had a calmness and gentle quietness about him. He was a "gentle giant." He was preceded in death by his brother, Deon Ivy, grandfathers, Elijah English and Curly Ivy, maternal grandparents, Sydney Cook Jr. and Leanna Cook, and uncle, Ronald Cook. His legacy will be remembered by his loving family: a devoted mother, Valurie Pat Cook Ivy of Gary, IN; father, Charles Ivy Sr. of Coweta, OK; grandmother, Hennrine English of Coweta, OK; brothers, Donte Ivy of Gary, IN, Christopher Ivy of Las Vegas, NV, sisters, Klamia Bailey of New York, NY, and Sherase Ivy of California; niece, Tricilla Ivy, and nephew, Shawn Ivy of Gary, IN; 5 aunts, Flora Burrell, Virginia Wright and Joyce Cook, all of Gary, Geneva Spencer of Chicago, IL, and Jeannie Ivy of Oklahoma; 5 uncles, Leon (Sarah) Cook, William (Judith) Cook, George (Renee') Cook, all of Gary, Bill Ivy and Edward Ivy, both of Oklahoma; and a host of other relatives and loyal dear friends. Visitation Saturday, December 17, 2005, from 9:00 a.m.to 11:00 a.m. Funeral service immediately following at 11:00 a.m., all services at Koinonia Missionary Baptist Church, 510 W. 13th Ave. Rev. Levern Swain officiating. Interment Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. Professional services rendered by Guy & Allen Funeral Directors, Inc.