Muscogee Nation News
Creek citizens from across Creek Nation

May 1989

HARJO
Lillie Deer HARJO was born March 24, 1903 in Okfuskee County, Indian Territory. She died March 31, 1989, at the Creek Nation Community Hospital in Okemah. Funeral services were held April 4 at the Thlopthlocco Methodist Church with Rev. John LOWE of Oklahoma City, Rev. Tomas LONG of Sapulpa and Rev. Ray McGILBRAY of Wetumka officiating. No information was given on interment.
She attended Prairie View School and Bacone College. She had been an active member of the Thlopthlocco church for many years and was a hard worker in the United Methodist Women. She was the daughter of Moses DEER and Ellen LONG, who were pioneers in the development of the city of Okemah.
She was preceded in death by one brother, Willie DEER, in 1985.
Her survivors include one daughter, Leona H. ZINK; one son, Jimmie JOHNSON; one brother, Dave YARGEE; two step-children, Ben HARJO and Bessie FIXICO ; eight grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, one nephew, and two nieces.

LEITKA
Rev. Elliot LEITKA, Sr., was born June 14, 1913, in Wewoka. He died April 4, 1989, at an area hospital. Wake services and funeral services were held at the Wewoka Baptist Church. Officiating the wake services was Jimmy ANDERSON. The funeral services on April 7 were conducted by Russell BEGAYE and Robert HASKINS. Interment was in the Buck Family Cemetery near Wewoka.
He served during World War II in the U.S. Army. He was active in the ministry for over 40 years, holding such positions as a missionary for the Muscogee Seminole Wichita Association among Creek speaking Cherokees in eastern Oklahoma, helping Dr. Frank Belvin start the Okmulgee Tech Mission in 1960, ministering to Western tribes at the Clinton Indian Baptist Church, moving to the Brighton Indian Reservation in Florida to help build a new church building and parsonage in 1978, and after his return to Oklahoma in 1984 he pastored the Glenpool Indian Baptist Mission, expanding that church property while serving there. He also worked with the Muscogee Seminole Wichita Association as director of the Sunday School and Baptist Training Union. He had been pastor of the First Indian Baptist Church in Okmulgee since last year.
He married Cora BUCK on May 19, 1937, who served in all these posts with him. She survives her husband.
Also surviving him are his two sons, Eugene LEITKA and Elliot LEITKA, Jr., ; his five daughters, Betty PASSAH, Sarah WARD, Ruthie BURGESS, Wanda JONES and Loretta DENNY; one brother, Frank LEITKA of Wewoka; one sister, Susie WALTERS of Wewoka; 19 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

STARR
Rosa Lea STARR was born October 19, 1950. She died April 20, 1989. Wake services were held April 22 at the Merritt Funeral Service Chapel. Funeral services were held April 24 at the Yardeka Baptist Church with the Rev. Joe Smith officiating. Pallbearers were Timmy HOLAHTA, Richard FACTOR, Keith PHILLIPS, Shannon STARR, Roley FRYE, Paul McNAC and Jerry REAGAN. Interment was in the Starr Family Cemetery under the direction of the Merritt Funeral Service Cottage Chapel of Henryetta.
She was a resident of Muskogee. She was baptized May 13, 1963 by Coody TIGER at Yardeka church. She was preceded in death by her father, Eli STARR, and a daughter, Stephanie FIXICO.
Her survivors include her sons, Steven STARR, Ronnie STARR and Dennis STARR; one daughter, Melanie STARR; her mother, Lena STARR of Henryetta; sisters Mandy HILL of Dustin, Sally KELLEY of Okmulgee, Janie PARKS of Moline, IL, Allene STARR of Henryetta, and Emma STARR and Amy REAGAN, both of Morris; brothers Daniel STAR of Wewoka, and James STARR of NC; and one grandson.

BIRDCREEK
Jesse BIRDCREEK was born September 26, 1924, in Oklahoma. He died April 23, 1989, in an Okemah Hospital. Funeral services were held April 27 at the Alabama Baptist Church with the Rev. Moe SCOTT officiating. Pallbearers were Gene MANLEY, Alfred WISE, Bill WISE, Lloyd ROPER, Steve RANDALL and Rocky RANDALL. Graveside military rites were conducted by the Henryetta VFW at the Birdcreek Family Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Merritt Funeral Service of Henryetta.
He served in the U.S. Navy during both World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 539 in Henryetta.
His survivors include his wife, Sarah BIRDCREEK of the home; three sons, Henry BIRDCREEK of Lawrence, KS, Adrian BIRDCREEK of Weleetka, and Lewis BIRDCREEK of Bellflower, CA; and one brother, Amos BIRDCREEK of Lawrence, KS.

COKER
London B. COKER was born May 13, 1914, in Okfuskee County. He died April 21, 1989, in Tempe, AZ, where he had lived for the last two years. Funeral services were conducted April 29 at Greenleaf Baptist Church with Rev. Harley BARNOSKI officiating, assisted by John BURGESS. Pallbearers were Gerald WACOCHE, Jimmie JOHNSON, Van JOHNSON, Mayo WACOCHE and member of the Hicks family. Arrangements were under the direction of the Merritt Funeral Service of Henryetta. No information was given on his interment.
He had been a long time resident of Okemah and had been active many years in church activities. He was baptized at the Greenleaf church in 1930 and ordained a deacon in 1938. He was founder, trustee and head deacon of Indian missions that later became such churches as Oakhurst Indian Baptist Church, Tulsa First Indian Baptist , Bowen Indian Baptist Church and Wekiwa Indian Baptist Church. He also was active in organizing intertribal church religious conventions in places across the United States. He helped found various church missions and churches throughout Oklahoma in 1978. He served as chairman of the church board between 1983 and 1986. In the 1960s he was active in the movement to elect a Principal Chief and tribal government for the Muscogee Nation.
He was the son of Obner and Monnie Samuel COKER, who are deceased. His survivors include cousins, Ben JOHNSON, Billy DAVIS, Clifton HILL, Lena WACOCHE, Annie BEAR, Richinda SANDS, Jean CHAUDHURI, and Josephine NILIMA; and one aunt, Sarah HICKS.
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July 1989

MARSHALL
Rev. Thomas MARSHALL was born August 4, 1907. He died May 18, 1989. Memorial services were held May 20 at the Broken Arrow Indian United Methodist Church with Rev. Jesse Sullivan officiating. Pallbearers were Charles McHENRY, Harry PERRYMAN, Randy THOMAS, Ronald McHENRY, Tommy THOMAS, and Louis DOBBINS. Interment was in the Vernon Cemetery at Coweta.  No other details were given on his funeral or family.

WEAVER
Billie “Chief” WEAVER was born July 14, 1903, in Beggs. He died June 14, 1989. Funeral services were held June 17 at the Apostolic Church in Beggs with the Rev. Lee Roy CANADY officiating, assisted by Matt TIGER. Pallbearers were Kenneth SMITH, Jack SHIPLEY, Albert LIGGINS, Robert SNELSON, Billy SHANKS and Jim HOLT. Interment was in the Beggs Cemetery.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Morris. He was a retired police officer who served in various communities for over 40 years. He was married to Lela ADKISON on December 16, 1946, in Joplin, MO. She survives. Also surviving are his son, Bill WEAVER of Beggs; his daughter, Judy SHANKS of Mounds; one sister, Eulla WEAVER of Los Angeles, CA; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

HICKS
Timothy Marshall “Tim” HICKS was born September 4, 1968, at Lawton. He died May 26, 1989, in a highway accident near Sulphur. Funeral services were held May 30 at the Salem Baptist Church, where he was a member. Officiating the service was Rev. Ernie MARGWORTH, assisted by Rev. Dan PHILLIPS. Pallbearers were 1986 Graham High School graduates. Interment was in Sonora Cemetery. He attended school at Weleetka and Graham, graduating in 1986. In addition to his church, he was a member of the All-Indian Rodeo Association of Oklahoma. He was employed by Russell Electric, Inc. He is survived by his parents, Houston and Eliza HICKS of the home; three sisters, Carol MUNIZ and Carrie MUNIZ, both of Glenpool, and Angela CHAVEZ of El Paso, TX; four brothers, Robert HICKS of Newalla, Louis HICKS and Jim HICKS, both of Henryetta, and Christopher MUNIZ of Glenpool.

DOXTATOR
Juanita Ruth Long DOXTATOR was born April 17, 1927. She died June 18, 1989, at the Creek Nation Community Hospital in Okemah. Funeral services were held June 21 at the Springfield Methodist Church with Tom YARHOLA and John BURGESS officiating. Pallbearers were George FIXICO, Thomas YARHOLAR, Clarence YARHOLAR, Jim HUMBLE, Keith HUMBLE, and Kelly HUMBLE.  Interment was at the Thlopthlocco Methodist Church under the direction of Webbs’ Funeral Home. She was a homemaker. Survivors included her husband, Warren William DOXTATER; her three children, Anita LITTLE and Anthony DOXTATOR, both of Okemah, and Annette GUINN of Enid; her three grandchildren, Kevin DOXTATOR, James GUINN, and Jennifer GUINN; an uncle, aunt and half-brother, Billy CANARD of Oklahoma City, Molly CANARD of Wetumka, and Lenard CANARD of Tulsa.

CRABTREE
George Frederick CRABTREE was born May 11, 1908, in Eufaula, McIntosh County. He died June 18, 1989. Memorial services were held June 24 in the Jackson Mortuary Chapel, Wichita, KS. Rev. Cashious BURDINE, Sr., officiated. No other information was given on his funeral or interment. He had attended school in Oktaha. In his early years he attended Creek Indian Baptist Church. He moved his family to Wichita in 1952 and was employed at Gentry Construction until his retirement in the 1960s. He was a charter member of the Wichita Roundup Club.  He was preceded in death by his parents, George W. and Margie CRABTREE; a sister, Pauline LYDAY and two brothers, Melvin CRABTREE and Patrick CRABTREE. He was married to Ezzie E. EDWARDS of Eufaula on October 19, 1933. She survives. His other survivors include his three sons,Elmer CRABTREE of Englewood, CA, George E. CRABTREE of Wichita, KS, and Val J. CRABTREE of Compton, CA; his two daughters, Billie J. CARNEY and Ezzie Wyvaughn CONLEY, both of Wichita,KS; one brother, Hughie CRABTREE of Oklahoma City; one grandchild, Reila CARNEY, who was raised in the Crabtree home; eighteen grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

ROBINSON
Memorial to Lizzie ROBINSON
A memorial letter was sent to Muscogee Nation News this issue for Lizzie Harjo ROBINSON.  She was born June 15, 1903, west of Okemah. She died of cancer May 6, 1989. The wake and funeral services were conducted by Rev. Charles Little, pastor of Witt Memorial, Tulsa, and Rev. Jess (Buddy) SULLIVAN, District Superintendent of the Western District of the Methodist Indian Mission Conference, Anadarko. The Rev. Earl DUNSON, retired minister from Glenpool, conducted the graveside service at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa. She attended school at Nuyaka, near Okemah, and Dwight Mission, Marble City, for grade schools; she attended high school at Haskell Institute in Lawrence, KS, in the 1920s during the years of the famed undefeated football team. Although Springfield Indian Methodist Church at Okemah was her home church, she was a member of Witt Memorial Church in Tulsa where she once was very active in Methodist Women for many years. For the last few years of her life, she was a resident of Homestead Nursing Home in Tulsa. She was the daughter of the late Tulsey and Molly Yahola HARJO. She was married to Rev. Clem V. ROBISON, who preceded her in death in 1978. He had been a supply pastor, mostly serving Concharty Indian Methodist Church. She was survived by her daughter, Kathleen BUTLER of Tulsa; her step daughter, Dorothy AYRES of Reno, NV; and grandchildren Jack BUTLER, Denise FORD, Ralph BUTLER, and Terry BUTLER, all of Tulsa, and Kerry BUTLER of Hulbert; one brother, Johnson HARJO, a sister, Melissa TIGER, and a sister-in-law, Susie Robinson FOSTER, all of Okemah.
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August 1989

MITCHELL
Wanda MITCHELL was born November 9, 1928, in Eufaula.  She died July 13, 1989, at a Tulsa
hospital.  Funeral services were held July 17 at the Okfuskee Indian Baptist Church with Rev.
Dan Phillips, Jr., and Rev. Raymond BEAVER officiating.  Pallbearers were Acee BARNETT,
Byar BEAVER, Soloman BEAVER, George TIGER, John TIGER, and Charlie DOWLING.  Interment was
at Manawa Cemetery.  
She attended Eufaula Boarding School and Chilocco Indian School, graduating in 1947.
She worked at the Eufaula Dormitory as a house mother and recreational aid for seven years
before retiring in 1982.
She was the daughter of Yahdeka and Minnie Polk BYARD.   She was married to Lyle MITCHELL
on July 10, 1961.  He survives.  She is also survived by a daughter, Wana MITCHELL of the
home; three sons, Melvin MITCHELL of Tahlequah, Robert MITCHELL of the home, and Bud MITCHELL
of Mesa, AZ; five sisters, Polly SHEPHERD of Tulsa, Jennie MARIE and Ruby FRANCIS, both of
Eufaula, and Candice WRIGHT of McAlester; two brothers, Victor FRANCIS of SD, and Yahdeka
BYRD, Jr., of Hanna; and a grandson, Jason JACKSON, Jr., of the home.


LEE
Jeff “Chub” LEE was born September 9, 1919, in Creek County.  He died June 17, 1989, at Tulsa
Regional Medical Center.  A prayer service was held at Smith Funeral Chapel and funeral
services were held June 30 at Little Cussetah Baptist Church, where he was a member.
Officiating were Rev. John FIXICO and Truitt JOHNS.  Burial was at the Cussetah Cemetery.
He had lived in Creek County all of his life.  He was a U. S. Army veteran who served in
World War II.  He was employed as a groundskeeper at Oaks Country Club for 30 years. 
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy LEE, of the home; daughters Jeanetta JOHNSON and Peggy 
LEE, both of Sapulpa, and Jeanica BROWN of Drumright; sons Benny LEE of Tulsa, and Tommy LEE
of Sapulpa; brother Timmie LEE of Sapulpa; sisters Stella BRIDGES of Okmulgee, and Minnie
WATASHE of Sapulpa; a half-sister  Nancy COON of Berryhill; and four grandchildren.

LESTER
Evelyn Virginia Deer LESTER was born November 15, 1915.  She died July 14, 1989.  Funeral
services were held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with the Bishop Lamont
GEE, Mr. Duane PRATT, and Rev. Ray McGILBRAY officiating.  Pallbearers were Steve KNIFE CHIEF,
Marcus KNIFE CHIEF, and David KNIFE CHIEF, Frank ADSON, Nerbert ADSON, Alan MULDER, Clifford
DEER, and Brian DEER.  Interment was at Thlopthlocco Cemetery in Okemah.
She was raised on a farm near Okemah.  She went to school at Indian boarding schools, Okemah
Public Schools, Chilocco Indian School, and Oklahoma A & M.  She earned her BA degree from
Lavern University in CA, and completed graduate work in education at the University of
California at Riverside.  She taught school for 35 years in southern California.  During her
teaching years, she received numerous teaching awards and recognitions, and was on the
President’s Task Force for Education in 1970.  She retired from teaching in 1978.  She was
also a dedicated church worker where she served in the state office, was Relief Society
President, taught all Sunday School classes and was a Chorister.
She was the daughter of George Wildin and Lillian Frances Jones DEER.  She is survived by one
son, A. David LESTER of Englewood, CO; three daughters, Mrs. Ron KAHLER of Franktown, CO,
Mrs. Duane DEER of Omaha, NE, and Mrs. Tom KNIFE CHIEF of Stillwater; and twelve
grandchildren.
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September 1989

SUMKA
Ladonna Faith Sumka was born March 22, 1972, in Henryetta. She died August 9, 1989, in a Tulsa hospital. Funeral services were held August 12 at Calvary Faith Church in Henryetta with Rev. Joe GRAYSON officiating, assisted by Rev. George POLECAT. Interment was in the Sumka Cemetery.
She is survived by a son, Byron Dewayne VANN of the home; her mother, Doris SUMKA of the home; one brother, Leonard Sumka of the home; grandparents Ben and Lucille SUMKA of Henryetta; and several aunts ad uncles.

TAYLOR
Alice Burgess TAYLOR was born December 14, 1912, in Schulter. She died August 20, 1989, at her home. She was a member of the Randall Mission Baptist Church. Prayer services were held at her home north of Henryetta August 22 with Rev. Robert WASHINGTON conducting. Funeral services were August 23 at the Merritt Funeral Service Cottage Chapel with Rev. John LOWE officiating.. Pallbearers were Woodrow W. JIMBOY, Kenneth TAYLOR, Sr., Jose AGUILAR, Kenneth TAYLOR, Jr., Bill CHISHOLM and Barney HAWKINS, Jr. Interment was in the Okmulgee Cemetery.
She was the daughter of Riley and Mary Scott BURGESS. She married Hully TAYLOR on December 12, 1930 in Lamar. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1983, and by both her parents. Her survivors include her two sons, Kenneth TAYLOR of Anaheim, CA, and Nelson TAYLOR of Los Angeles, CA; her four daughters, Quannah SUWANTVITTAYA of Santa Ana, CA, Naomi Irene AGUILLAR of Santa Fe, NM, Buna Lou JIMBOY of Lawrence, KS, and Bertha TAYLOR of Mirada, CA; two brothers, Albert BURGESS of Enid, and Buster BURGESS of Pineville, OR; ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

BERRYHILL
John Louis BERRYHILL was born November 23, 1913, at Wetumka. He died August 15, 1989, at Claremore. Funeral services were held August 18 at the Parks Brothers Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. George DOYLE officiating, assisted by Rev. Thomas LONG. Pallbearers were March WIND, Sonny BERRYHILL, Eddie BERRYHILL, John YAHOLA, Barry YAHOLA, and Chubby BERRYHILL. Interment was in the Highland Cemetery.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and served overseas during World War II. He was retired from the Union Station Railroad, Chicago. He was a member of Thlopthlocco Tribal Town and Little Quarsarty Church.
He was the son of Houston and Nettie Tiger BERRYHILL, both deceased. His survivors include three sons, George BERRYHILL of Tulsa, Alfred D. BERRYHILL of Okemah, and Anthony BERRYHILL of Sapulpa; four daughters, Dawnna BERRYHILL of Sapulpa, Sherry GOURD of Okemah, Charlotte BERRYHILL of Chicago, and Lisa BERRYHILL of Tulsa; one brother, Roley BERRYHILL of Wetumka; twelve grandchildren and two great grandsons.

BURRIS
Nora Chupco BURRIS, 73, died August 3, 1989, at Oklahoma City Memorial Hospital. No information was given on her birth. Funeral services were held at the Kaney Chapel with NE District Superintendent Rev. Joe LOWE, Jr., and Walter McGIRT officiating. Burial was at Kaney Cemetery. No other information was given on her funeral, interment or survivors.

FIXICO
Easter Sunday FIXICO was born February 28, 1935, in Okmulgee. He died August 25, 1989, in the Veterans Hospital in Memphis. He was a member of the Newtown Methodist Church. Funeral services were held August 29 at the Cantrell Ivory Chapel in Okmulgee. Interment was in the Okmulgee Cemetery.
He married Mary CROFUL of Henryetta, August 1, 1960, in Okmulgee. She survives. His other survivors include his sons, Easter Sunday “Chebene” FIXICO, III, of Mannford, and Billy Joe FIXICO of Ponca City; and two granddaughters.

DEERE
Addie DEERE was born June 1, 1906, in Creek County. She died August 25, 1989, at her home in Bowlegs. Funeral services were held August 25 (?) at the Jimmy Carbitcher residence in Bowlegs with Jack LARNEY officiating, assisted by Rev. Andrew DEERE. Pallbearers were Roman HILL, Leonard HENNEHA, Gene WAHWEAH, Cookie CARBITCHER, Younger CARBITCHER and David HANEY. Burial was in the Carbitcher family cemetery in Bowlegs.
She moved from Holdenville to Seminole County in 1971. She attended the Mekusukee Indian Baptist Church.
She married Thomas DEERE in Hughes County. He preceded her in death in 1959. Also preceding her in death was one brother, Dan (no last name given.) Her survivors include two sons, Frank DEERE of Oklahoma City, and James DEERE of Dallas, TX; two brothers, Wilson TIGER of Houston, and Eunice DEERE of CA; one sister, Nancy CARBITCHER of Bowlegs; and three grandchildren.
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Muscogee Nation Index

 Eulala McDowell Pegram