Theresa P. Ivie

Early in the morning on January 16, 2016, Theresa P. (Mason) Ivie passed away at age 63 after an extensive battle with her declining health. She was preceded in death by her father Albert Theodore Mason, Jr., her son William David Ivie, her aunt Clara Mason Peavy, and her grandmother Henrietta Mason. Theresa was born on December 20, 1952 to Millie and Albert Mason. She graduated from Ville Platte High School before attending Louisiana State University. She worked as a ballroom dance instructor for many years until rheumatoid arthritis hindered one of the greatest passions in her life. Theresa danced to the beat of her own drum or any song she fancied in the moment. She was an avid fan of all things food and dreamed of creating an heirloom recipe book that would span the generations. She loved the outdoors and took pleasure in sunsets, birds, and the breeze against her skin. In her younger years, she enjoyed gardening on her balcony where she grew a variety of plants; strawberries were her favorite. Theresa had many hobbies that she cherished and shared with her friends and family: from dancing to games, crocheting to cross-stitching, music to singing. Yet above all else, her greatest passion was being a mother. Theresa was a loving and incredible mother, daughter, sister, and friend and was quick to lend her wisdom or help however she could. She is survived by her mother Millie J. (Kyzar) Mason; her two siblings Ted Mason and Reagan Mason; her three children Nicole Downs Thigpen, Russell Ivie, and Amanda Ivie; and her four grandchildren Tristan Downs, Summer Downs, Autumn Downs, and J’lyn Thigpen. Visitation will be open to family and friends between 11 am and 1 pm on Thursday, January 21, 2016 at the Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home on 15th Street in Gulfport. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com