Cherokee Advocate, 1993
Contributed by Wanda Elliott [email protected]

July

WOFFORD
Robert T. WOFFORD, 89, died April 21. Graveside services were held April 24, at the Victor Cemetery in Hamiltin, Mont. He was born January 22, 1904 in Rex, Indian Territory, to Frank and Alice RUSH WOFFORD. He married Arkie COLLINS on May 5, 1935, in Hindsville, Ark. He was an original enrollee of the Cherokee Nation. He had srved two enlistments in the army during the early 1920's and during W.W.11 his National Guard unit was activated.
Survivors include six sons, Channas, Prentis, Robert, Shan, Calvert and Quane, all of Mont.; two daughters, Pokie of Mont., and Beady of Alaska; one sister, Fannie, of Okla.; 24 grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren.

BREAD
Rev. Scott, 74, died May 10. Services were held May 14, in the Reed-Culver Chapel. He was born September 18, 1918, in Hulbert, Okla., to Cherokee and Jensie FLUTE BREAD. He was ordained in 1968 and was the founding minister of Strohs Chapel, serving in the ministry of the United Methodist Church for over 20 years. He helped to bring the first clinic to Stilwell in the 1960's. He operated the first full service ambulance for the Cherokee people in Adair County. He had served as an interpreter for the Cherokee County District Court and developed the first Miranda warning in the Cherokee language. He was a certified peace officer and a long time deputy with the Cherokee County Sheriff Department.
Survivors include five sons, Richard, Darrell and Larry of Okla., and Audrey of Texas, and Ronald of Utah; one daughter, Betty Sue of Okla.; two step-children, Johnny of Okla., and Maudine of Arizona; 46 grandchildren; and one great granddaughter.

DRYWATER
Esiah DRYWATER, 56, died June 11, in Tulsa after a long bout with kidney disease. Services were held June 14 in the Reed-Culver Chapel in Tahlequah with the Revs. Lewis ROSS and Felix JOHNSON officiating. Interment was in the New Hope Cemetery in Cherokee County. Esiah was born September 20, 1936, at Shady Grove, Okla. He was the son of Jess and Lucy GRASSHOPPER DRYWATER. He grew up in Cherokee County and attended school in Wyandotte and Hulbert. He was married to Ida JOHNSON in 1961, and he had worked as a bus driver and custodian for the Shady Grove School. He was a member of the Johnson Prairie Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Ida of the home; one son, Vincent of the home; four daughters, Sue, Patricia, Diana and Laura of Okla.; two brothers, Ross and Archie, both of Okla.; four sisters, Lizzie, Ann and Juanita of Okla., and Dixie of N.M.; five grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

MONTGOMERY
Susie Edna MONTGOMERY, 86, died June 13, at her home. Services were held June 15, in Fosters' Ivory Chapel with the Rev. Roger PRATT officiating. Burial followed in the Greenhill Cemetery. She was a lifelong resident of Muskogee. She was born February 10, 1907, in Muskogee, Indian Territory, the daughter of Looney and Jennie BEARPAW HAMMER. She grew up in Muskogee where she attended Hopewell School. She was a full blood Cherokee and was very proud of her heritage. Her life was devoted to her family, her friends and church. She married Ancil C. MONTGOMERY on May 2, 1925. The couple continued to make Muskogee their home where Ancil worked as a laborer foreman for Ditmars-Pickens-Bond Construction Company most of his life. She was very active in the Community Baptist Church where she had been a lifetime member. She was preceded in death by her husband on May 21, 1971 and by her son, George L. MONTGOMERY on September 7, 1975.
Survivors include a daughter-in-law, Bernice of Okla.; grandchildren, Malcolm, Penny, Richard and Pamela, of Okla., Roger and Colene of Ark.; four great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

WALKER
Joe Scott WALKER, 85, died May 28. Services and interment were May 30 at the Citizens Cemetery with Bob YOUNG officiating. He was born November 26, 1907 in Braggs, Okla., to Edmond and Daisy WALKER. He attended schools in Braggs and lived in Southern California.
He had been a truck drive for Atlantic Richfield, and retired in 1971, moving to Ft. Gibson. He was an old Cherokee Family Master Mason.
Survivors include one son, Robert, of Oregon; one sister, Mary of Calif.; and one granddaughter.

Oct./Nov./Dec. 1993

SWANGO
John D. SWANGO, 69, of Charleston, Ill., died July 10, in Carle Hospital in Urbana.
Services were held at the Caudill-King Funeral Home, in Charleston, Ill. Burial was in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Mattoon.
He was a member of Walnut Grove Christian Church, the Charleston Elks Lodge and Moose Lodge, and the Cherokee Nation.
He was born December 2, 1923, in Picher, Okla., to John C. and Mary WILSON SWANGO. He married Wilma A. MOFFETT in 1946.
Survivors include: his wife, one son, Gaylon; one daughter, Twila; one sister, Sammye, all of Ill.; and six grandchildren.

SPOHN
Mary Lou SPOHN, 67, died August 6, at the Grove General Hospital. Graveside services were held August 11, at the Round Springs Cemetery with Rev. John W. SUMMERFIELD and President Paul FEAGAN officiating.
She was a member of the Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She was born on April 12, 1926, in Eucha, Okla. She married Richard SPOHN on March 4, 1947, at Yuma, Ariz.
She is survived by: her husband, Richard; two daughters, Sandy and Marsha; one son, William; her mother Ollie all of Okla.; three brothers Willie and Bobby, both of Okla. and Roy of Nev.; two sisters, Bert of Texas, and Elda of Okla.; six grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.

ADAIR
James Arnold ADAIR, 70, died August 17. Services were held August 20, in Tulsa with his nephew, Rev. David ADAIR, officiating. Interment was in the Floral Haven Cemetery in Broken Arrow.
He was born August 1, 1923, in Drumright, Okla., the son of James Warren ADAIR and Della Claudia RIDENHOUR. ADAIR was the grandson of Hugh Montgomery ADAIR, the last editor of the Cherokee Advocate to publish both in English and Cherokee, and the great-grandson of Colonel Walter Scott ADAIR who came to Indian Territory on the Trail of Tears. He served in the U.S. Navy during W.W.11 aboard the famous U.S.S. Hornet, Squadron C.V.-12. A born artist, he retired from the sign business in 1985.
He was preceded in death by his brother Toyah O'Neal ADAIR and sister Viola Bea YOUNG.  
ADAIR was proud to be an American. From his birth to his death he fought for the rights of the Cherokee people.
He is survived by: his wife, Barbara Lee WHITLOCK ADAIR; children, James, Claudia Jane, and William; and grandchildren, Jason, Todd, Trever and Colin; sisters, Gertrude, Inola and Mary Lou; numberous relatives, his extended family and friends.

November 1993

SCOTT
Runway SCOTT, 70, of Tahlequah, died September 21, at the W.W. Hastings Indian Hospital. Services were held September 24, at the Reed-Culver Chapel with Rev. Harry Horner officiating. Interment was in the Old Green Cemetery. The Tahlequah Veterans Council served as pallbearers.
Mr. SCOTT was born June 9, 1923, in Westville, Okla., the son of Dennis and Ellen HAMMER SCOTT. He attended school at Westville. During W.W.11, he served in the United States Navy and was stationed in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. In 1955, he married Ruby JUMPER. He worked for Cherokee Nation until his retirement in 1980. He was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a member of the Lord Jesus Christ Church at Welling.
Mr. SCOTT was preceded in death by a son, Edgar SCOTT, in 1976; one sister, Irene BARNES, in 1992; and one brother, J.D. SCOTT, in 1991.
He is survived by his wife, Ruby, of the home; his children, Sharon, Rosie, Ramona and Michael, all of Okla., and Jerry of Florida; 12 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

SMITH
Ruth Mae SMITH, 63, of Stilwell, died September 23, at the Sparks Regional Medical Center in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Services were held September 27, in the Reed-Culver Chapel with Crosslin SMITH officiating. Interment was in the Red Bird Smith Cemetery.
Mrs. SMITH was born May 16, 1930, in Adair County, Okla., the daughter of Ned and Rosie BLACKBIRD FLYNN. She lived most of her life in Adair County, attending school at Rocky Mountain. She married Jasper SMITH, and was a homemaker as well as working for Stilwell Foods for the past 10 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jasper, December 26, 1987, and her father Ned FLYNN.
She is survived by Kathy Jo and Evan, both of Okla.; her mother Rosie of Okla.; three brothers, Perry of Calif., Luke and Lewis, both of Okla.; two sisters, Nellie and Bessie, both of Okla.; and many other relatives and friends.

DANIELSON
Phoebe CHAIR DANIELSON, 92, of Muskogee and formerly of Tahlequah died September 23, at her home. Services were held September 27, at the Cedar Tree Tabernacle with Pastors Ciro CASTILLO and Jerry HENSON officiating. Burial was in the Cedar Tree Cemetery.
Mrs. DANIELSON was born July 25, 1901, near Stilwell, Indian Territory.  She grew up in Tahlequah and attended school at the Baptist Mission and the Cherokee Female Seminary. She was also a graduate of the Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas. She was married to Allen DANIELSON in 1926, at Stilwell and they lived in Tahlequah until the mid 1950's when they moved to Muskogee. She was a loving mother and homemaker. She was a charter member of the Tahlequah Seventh Day Adventist church and later moved her membership to the Muskogee Seventh Day Adventist Church. Mrs. DANIELSON was an original enrollee of the Dawes Commission.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1983; two brothers, Robert and Daniel CHAIR; her parents, Samuel and Bette LIVERS CHAIR; and two infant sisters.
Mrs. DANIELSON is survived by seven children, Laura of Minn., Dorothy, Cora Ann, Houston and James, all of Okla., Virginia of Kansas, and Kathleen of Texas; a stepson, Oscar of Calif.; two sisters, Annie of Okla. and Cora of Kansas; seven grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren.

DRYWATER
Lillie DRYWATER, 93, of Tahlequah, died September 25, at the W.W. Hastings Indian Hospital. Services were held September 28, in the Reed-Culver Chapel with Rev. Andy RABBIT officiating. Burial was in the Agent Cemetery. Grandsons served as pallbearers.
Mrs. DRYWATER was born January 1, 1900, at Rocky Ford, the daughter of Tom and Betsy ROACH GALCATCHER. She was a lifelong Cherokee County resident, homemaker and a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents, three sisters and two brothers.
She is survived by two daughters, Yvonna of Okla., and Eva of Calif.; seven sons, Johnny, Luke, Hoover, Buster, Jimmy, Phillip and Homer, all of Okla.; one sister, Mary of Okla.; 30 grandchildren; and many great and great great grandchildren.

ROCK
Bessie ROCK, 56, of Tahlequah, died September 28, at the W.W. Hastings Indian Hospital. Graveside services were held Sept. 30, at the Keener Cemetery with Rev. Bill HOLCOMB officiating.
Mrs. ROCK was born August 26, 1937, in Lost City, Okla., the daughter of Willie and Betsy SULATESKEE YOUNG. She grew up at Lost City and attended Lost City School. In 1986 she moved to Tahlequah where she resided until the time of her death. She was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Jacqueline and Debora; one son Jeffrey; four grandchildren, Chastity, Matthew, Jodi and Eric, all of Okla.; and many other relatives.

NEUGIN
Herbert Gary NEUGIN, 32, of Tahlequah, died September 28. Services were held October 1, in the Reed-Culver Chapel with Rev. Neel DILLARD officiating. Burial was in the Proctor Cemetery.
Mr. NEUGIN was born May 14, 1961, in Tahlequah, the son of Haskell Ray and Vera SPEARS NEUGIN. A life-long resident, he was a loving husband and father who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He married the former Barbara WINSETT on October 25, 1979.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Thelma NEUGIN.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara of the home; two daughters, Vera and Misty, both of the home; his mother and father, Vera and Haskell; his maternal grandparents, Clara and Herbert SPEARS; his paternal grandfather, Clarence NEUGIN; and many other relatives and friends.

JOHNSON
Gussie JOHNSON, 74, of Stilwell, died October 2 at her home. Services were held October 5, at the Reed-Culver Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Sanders MCLEMORE officiating. Interment was in the Clear Spring Cemetery.
Mrs. JOHNSON was born November 2, 1918, in Adair County, Oklahoma, the daughter of Henry and Alice SKITT SWIMMER. Gussie lived in Adair County most of her life. She was a member of the Mulberry Tree Baptist Church for the past 50 years. She taught many years as a Sunday School teacher for young children and she served as a deaconess with the church for many years.
She is survived by her husband, of the home; two sisters, Ruth and Caroline, both of Okla.; and many other relatives.

December 1993

HANITCHAK
Pam HANITCHAK, 45, of Palo Alto, Calif., died October 15, at her home. A memorial service was held October 22, in Memorial Church.
Mrs. HANITCHAK was born in St. Helens, Ore., and grew up in Sacramento.  She attended American River Junior College, then San Francisco State, when she started to major in dance. Because of a knee injury, she switched to sociology. HANITCHAK, who was part Cherokee, helped launch the American Indian Staff Forum at Stanford during the 1980's and worked to strengthen ties between American Indian staff and students. She was a freshman advisor during much of her career.
Survivors include her husband; a son, Rainey; her parents, Betty and John HOWARD; and a sister, Chere, all of Calif.

JOHNSON
Michael J. JOHNSON, 61, died the week of July 12. Services were held July 19, at the Johnson Prairie Indian Church with full military honors. He had attended Sequoyah Indian School and served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War.
Survivors include two sons, Michael and Germaine, both of Calif.; three sisters, Lucy of Kansas, Susie of Ohio and Dolly of Okla.; one brother John, of Colo.; and three grandchildren.

O'NEAL
Faye H. O'NEAL, 64, died September 20. Interment was at the Ceres Cemetery in Ceres, Calif.
She was born December 7, 1929, in Muskogee to Lillian and David Hood COLLINS. She attended Muskogee Schools and one year at the Dwight Mission School. She married Grady O'NEAL in 1946 and moved to San Jose, Calif.
Survivors include, three daughters, Helen of Calif., Cyndi of Ore., and Janelle of S.C.; one son Johnny of Calif.; her mother, Lillian, of Okla.; one sister Maggie of Okla.; three brothers, Ira of Ariz., Orville of Texas and Jerry of Okla.; 11 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

COOKSON
Reece COOKSON, 93, of Park Hill died October 3. Services were held October 7, in the Reed-Culver Chapel with Rev. Randy PARKS officiating.  Interment was in the Levi-Cookson Cemetery.
He was born November 14, 1899, in Indian Territory to Joseph and Eliza PETTIT COOKSON. He was married to Kate RISENHOOVER on March 24, 1924.  He was a farmer and a life-long resident of Cherokee County.
Survivors include his wife, Kate of the home; one son, Jim, of Okla.; three daughters, Mary of Neb., Betty and Thelma, both of Okla.; 13 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren.

KENNICUTT
Onie BUSE KENNICUTT, 99, died October 9, in the Tahlequah Nursing Home.  She died 14 days from her 100th birthday. Services were held October 13, at the Reed-Culver Funeral Home. Interment was in the Park Hill Cemetery.
She was born October 23, 1893, to Sherman BUSE and Nancy R. JOHNSON BUSE. She was a member of the First Baptist Church.
Survivors include six sons, Chester, Walter, Mitchell, J.D. and Herman, all of Okla., and George of Nev.; three daughters Velda, Dorothy and Hazel, all of Okla.; one brother, Jimmy; two sisters; 28 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

HAIR
Leona HAIR, 73, died October 11. Services were held October 14, in the Reed-Culver Chapel with Revs. Charley CAREY and Arch FOREMAN officiating. Interment was in the Swimmer Cemetery.
She was born September 27, 1920, in Hulbert to Wilson and Rebecca CHRISTIE CRITTENDEN. Leona married Sam HAIR on August 7, 1944, in Stilwell, She was a life-long resident of Cherokee County, homemaker and member of the Swimmer Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband Sam; eight children, Jessie, Bobby, Mary Jane, Arthur, Lee Ann and Chester, all of Okla., Sam of Ill. and John of Calif.; 21 grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.

ROBBINS
Charles ROBBINS, 60, of Hulbert died October 11. Graveside services were held October 14, at the Swimmer Cemetery with Revs. Albert ROBBINS and Jimmy ROBBINS officiating.
Charles was born December 15, 1932, in Cherokee County to Eli and Ola BEAVER ROBBINS. He attended schools in the area while growing up. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He worked as a welder.
Survivors include his wife, Mary of the home; one daughter, Debbie of Texas; three sons, Jimmy and Kevin, both of Texas, and Scott of Kansas; two brothers, Jess and Albert, both of Okla.; two sisters Lucille of Okla., and Nancy of Texas; two granddaughters; and many nieces and nephews.

SANDERS
Annabelle RATLIFF SANDERS, 85, of Tahlequah, died October 11. Services were held October 14, in the Reed-Culver Chapel with Rev. Max SQUYERS officiating. interment was in the Tahlequah City Cemetery.
She was born November 23, 1927, in Cookson to Richard and Lizzie COOKSON RATLIFF. She was married to Owen SANDERS. She was a life-long resident of Cherokee County, homemaker, and former teacher.
Survivors include one sister, Maggie of Okla.; one brother, Jess of Wash.; two grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

COLLINS
Clara Camilla COLLINS, 91, died October 21. Services were held October 27, at the First St. Congregational Church, Napa, Calif., with Rev. William CAIN officiating. Interment was in the Tulocay Cemetery.
She was born October 1, 1902, in Tahlequah, I.T. to James and Lucia HERRIN. She was an original enrollee of the Dawes Rolls. In 1920, she married Perry J. "Buck" COLLINS and moved to Rio Oso, Calif. Her hobbies included reading poetry, sewing and group spiritual singing.
Survivors include, two sons, Perry and Gerld, both of Calif.; four sisters, Bertha and Ethel, both of Okla., Oral and Iva, both of Calif.; 11 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren.

BARNOSKIE
Effie BARNOSKIE, 68, of Hulbert died October 25. Services were held October 29, in the Reed-Culver Chapel with Mr. Jerry RITTER and Rev.Harley BARNOSKIE officiating. Interment was in the Barnoskie Cemetery.
She was born September 3, 1925, in Vian to Consene and Tarnie BEAVER BARNOSKIE. She grew up in Vian and was a homemaker.
Survivors include, four sons, Robert of Iowa, and Simon, Clayton and Bruce of Okla.; four daughters, Shirley, Donna, Denise and Jennifer, all of Okla.; 16 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and one niece, Emma.

TUDOR
Monroe TUDOR, 75, of Tahlequah, died October 24. Services were held October 27, in the Reed-Culver Chapel with Rev. Max SQUYERS officiating. Interment was in the Shirley Cemetery.
He was born May 27, 1918, in Eldon, Okla., to Charles Monroe and Addie TOWNSEND TUDOR. He attended Chilocco Indian School, and graduated from McAlester High School. During W.W.11 he served in the U.S. Army with the 759th Bombardment Squadron. He was a member of the American Legion.
Survivors include his wife, Ruby; one daughter, Charlotte of Okla.; two sons, Charles of Ore., and John of Colo.; one sister, Nettie of Okla.; six grandchildren; one great grandson; and many other relatives.

LEACH
Nelson LEACH, 84, died October 26. Services were held October 29, at the Echota Baptist Church with Revs. Leon ROSIN and Ellis FOSTER officiating. Interment was in the Echota Cemetery.
He was born September 24, 1909, in Adair County to Samuel and Elizabeth JOHNSON LEACH. He was a life-long farmer, resident of the Echota Community and member of the Echota Church. He was married to Sallie MANKILLER.
Survivors include three sons, Bobby of N.M., Perry and Larry of Okla.; two daughters, Alice and Elsie, of Okla.; 22 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren.

SCOTT
Ruby SCOTT, 59, of Tahlequah died October 31. Services were held November 3, at the Reed-Culver Funeral Home with Rev. Harry HORNER officiating. Interment was in the Old Green Cemetery near Wetville.
She was born February 13, 1834, in Cherokee County to Nick and Narine HORN JUMPER. She grew up in Cherokee County, and attended Chillocco Indian School. She married Runway SCOTT in 1955. She worked for 11 years at the Davis Nursing Home.
Survivors include, three daughters, Sharon, Rosie and Ramona, all of Okla.; two sons, Michael of Okla. and Jerry of Florida; 12 grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

HARRIS
Clyde Clifton HARRIS, 77, of Broken Arrow, formerly of Stilwell, died November 2. Graveside services were held November 4, at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery at Hulbert with Rev. Larry HATFIELD and Mr. Clif HARRIS officiating. Arrangements were handled by Reed-Culver Funeral Home.
Mr. HARRIS was born September 14, 1916, in Hulbert, the son of Walter and Maggie HARRIS. He grew up in Cherokee County and attended school in Hulbert, Tahlequah and Prairie Grove, Ark. On March 30, 1942, he married the former Hilda COPELAND in Silvis, Ill. He served with the United States Army during W.W.11. He worked for the Stilwell post office for 22 years, retiring in 1976. He was also a farmer. He moved to Searcy, Ark., for five years and in 1985, he moved to Broken Arrow.  Baptized when he was 15, he was a member of the Stilwell Church of Christ where he served as a deacon and elder.
Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Marie and Blanche, both of Texas, and Carol of Okla.; one Clif of Ark.; one sister, Leora of Mich.; one brother Virgil of Okla.; and six grandchildren.

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