Gladys B Snake Yackeyonny

A celebration of life for retired civil service employee, Gladys B. Snake Yackeyonny, will be at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, February 23, 2017 at the Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Anadarko with Pastor Tim Nestell, officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Lane Cemetery in Anadarko. Visitation will be from 4-7:00 P.M., on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at the Smith Funeral Home. Gladys was born in Washita, Oklahoma on June 3, 1922 to Frank and Bessie Snake, and died on February 17, 2017 in Lawton, Oklahoma at the young age of 94. Gladys lived with her parents who farmed their own land at Washita, Oklahoma. Farm work was hard for them but they still taught Gladys the lessons she would need in order to survive such harsh times. She played basketball in high school, graduated from Washita High. She attended Cameron University in Lawton, majoring in nursing. She met Kye Yackeyonny through her brother, Lawrence.Based on an early BIA Program, Gladys was among the first selected Native American Women chosen to be educated, trained, and return back to her Indian Community to serve as a healthcare provider. In 1954, she transferred to the new Anadarko Indian Clinic where she excelled in training as a nurse and traveled to rural communities to assist Indian people who had no transportation to a clinic, like Carnegie and Hobart. She sat on the Indian Health Board as an adviser for Indian health issues. She also sat on the Board of Education at Riverside Indian School. There she saw the need to help organize WCD Enterprises along with Chairman of the Wichita Tribes, Newton Lamar and Chairman of Caddo Tribes, Andrew Dunlap. From 1962 to 1975, Gladys sat on the IHS Advisory Board and helped organize Indian health politics, hired doctors, nurses and staff members and helped write proposals on a new hospital. She served the Delaware Nation on the Tribal Election Board, Delaware Language and Culture Committee and the Enrollment Board. In 1989, she retired from Indian Health Service with 50 federal years to the health field. After retirement, she enjoyed bingo, playing hand game with various teams, and listening to Indian music. In 2012, Gladys was one of 45 elders recognized by AARP Honorary for her contribution to her culture and community. Gladys was a loving, caring, and compassionate lady that took pride and enjoyment in helping others. She touched many lives and will be greatly missed.Left to cherish her memory are her 3 daughters: Juanita Pewenofkit and Judith DeLaRosa of Anadarko and Pamela Ortega of Lawton; 16 grandchildren: Kylene, Ofelia, Victoria, Rhonda, Kyle, Lupe, BooBoo, Marland, Paul, Lyle, Jr, Kelly, Mona, DeeDee and Robert; 31 great grandchildren including: Aidyn, Julianna, Yvette, Morgan, Bella, Alex, Candace, Randy, Dominic, Meekah, Frances, Kyla, Holly, Mark David, Luke, Chelsea, Andrew, and Nathan; great great grandchildren: Gabriel, Alexis, Alex, Chelsea, Mariah, Layla, Dallas; sisters, Louise Yeaquo of Bell Gardens, California and Betty Thomas of High Ridge, Missouri along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.Gladys is preceded in death by both parents; husband, Kye; 4 children: Kye Jr, Marvin, Shirley and Kermit; 2 brothers; 4 sisters, 1 granddaughter and 3 grandsons.Casket bearers will be Kyle Chalepah, Dominic Yackeyonny, Mark David Ostruske, Kermit Yackeyonny Jr., Thomas Ostruske, and Lloyd Roy. Honorary Casket bearers are Jack Hunter, L.F. Snake, Kenny Williams, Wayne Nixon, Armando S. Ortega, Dave Akin and Carlos Feliciano.Condolences may be sent to the family at www.smithfuneralservices.comServices are under the direction of Smith Funeral Home, Anadarko, Oklahoma.

Gladys B Snake Yackeyonny

June 3, 1922 - February 17, 2017

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