Iris Anne Carmack Ballou left her life on earth on Friday morning, February 7, 2025, at her home in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

She debuted on the world stage on January 9, 1953, in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Her mom, Erma Burleson Carmack, and her dad, John C. Carmack, AKA "Daddy Pete," welcomed her to a home filled with three older siblings, Paula, Sheryl, and Reid Carmack.

It was a busy and happy household, and Iris experienced the everyday adventures kids love that shaped each day. Because she was the youngest, she often took the brunt of teasing from her older but loving siblings.

Iris enjoyed her school playmates and was a cute little Bluebird and Camp Fire Girl. As she grew up, she participated in the music programs of the Ponca City School system, playing the cello in the junior and senior high school orchestras before her graduation in 1971. Then Iris attended Northern Oklahoma Junior College in Tonkawa, where she joined the well-known and highly acclaimed "Roustabouts" singing and performing group. The group offered its programs in many places and created several record albums.

Little did anyone know that her singing and acting career would evolve and bloom from that experience. Who knew how awesome she would be as she performed at the Ponca Playhouse in Ponca City?

To quote a Facebook post from a Ponca Playhouse friend, "Iris was a well-known actress in our theatre with roles in shows such as "On Borrowed Time," "Quilters," "Talking With," "Gypsy," and more."

Her presence in music and theatre followed her throughout her life. She once sang in Carnegie Hall with the Jonathan Griffith Singers. Iris excelled in acting at the Owasso Community Theatre, where she and her daughter, Morgan, were founding members. The Sapulpa Community Theatre also enjoyed her acting and directing in many performances. Her wit and humor were instantaneous, and she often turned them on!

After Iris began working as a medical coder at the local Ponca City Hospital, she married, and several years later, she introduced her daughter, Morgan Page Ballou, to the world stage. She continued to work for several years in Ponca City, but in 1997, Iris and Morgan moved from Ponca City. For a short time, they lived in Fayetteville, Arkansas, then in Owasso, Oklahoma, and finally in Tulsa, where she purchased a small home. Because of her kindness and love for family, she encouraged her nephew, Kevin Carmack, to live there with Morgan and herself, and they developed a very special bond throughout the years. They helped each other, which, of course, is what love and kindness are all about!

Iris was the CPC Compliance Officer/Coder/Transcriptionist for Orthopedic Trauma Services of Oklahoma.

To quote that group, "Iris worked as a coder for 15 years at OTSO. She was the longest-standing employee and was truly family after all her years of service. She was colorful and witty and had a beautiful soul. 2020 took her out of the office but she still was very much a part of who we are. She taught each of the doctors and fellows the ins and outs of dictation and coding. She was fond of an exclamation point and correcting any grammatical errors, and all of that sass was why we were lucky to have her on our team."

Iris loved Morgan, and when Rhys, her grandson, came along, she was "over the moon" playing the role of "Mum." She loved him intensely and spent much time with him, enjoying all his antics, birthdays, and other special occasions, but most of all, she spent daily life with him and his mom. She thrived on all genres of music and loved all things "Nature," including cats, dogs, and an obsession with bears. One of her greatest dreams was to see them in the wild.

Morgan Ballou shared her home with her mom for five years. Iris worked from a home office, and each day, Iris picked up Rhys from school while Morgan worked.

She is survived by many loving family members, including her daughter, Morgan Page Ballou, and her grandson, Rhys Ballou. Her surviving siblings are Sheryl Carmack Sallee and Reid Carmack, both of Ponca City, and Paula Carmack Denson of Oklahoma City.

She also leaves a bevy of nieces and their families—Kelly Denson Goebel (Tony) and daughters Kelsey Goebel Henry (Blake) and Lauren and Emma Goebel, all of Oklahoma City; Susie Carmack Manning (Chris) and daughter Rose Ware; Cindy Goddard McCullough, Claire Goddard (Lance), Shawn Ortiz (Raymond), and a special nephew, Kevin Carmack, plus many other great-nieces, great-nephews, and beloved cousins. In addition, Iris filled a mother's role for some of Morgan's friends and others.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, March 15, at 2:00 PM at Stanley's Funeral and Cremation Service, 3959 E. 31st Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74135. You may pay online condolences at https://www.stanleysfuneralhome.com/obits.

Donations in her memory may be offered to the National Parks Conservation Association at https://www.npca.org/give/memorial-tribute-giving