Rubie Paukei Williams

Rubie Paukei McKenzie Williams, 96 of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 9, 2015. Rubie had the great honor to live long enough to become the oldest member of the Kiowa Tribe. Rubie was the daughter of Lewis Clifford Paukei and Emily Botone. She married Robert McKenzie in 1940 and they lived in Wichita, Kansas until his death in 1974. Rubie later married John M. Williams and they lived in Fort Cobb until his death. She attended Sedan Elementary School, Riverside Indian School and graduated from Lawton High School. She continued her education at Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma, University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and Purdue University in Indiana, where she studied religious education. Rubie was employed by the Wichita Council of Churches in Wichita, Kansas as a social worker to the Indian Community. She retired from the Wichita Board of Education where she worked as a teacher's aid. Rubie was very active in her church and civic life. She was a Charter Member of Indian Southern Baptist Church in Wichita, Kansas. She also served as a Charter Board Member for the Mid-America All Indian Center in Wichita, Kansas. She held various offices during her service to the American War Mother's organization including serving as Past State President and National President of the Past President's Association and as State Chaplain. She also held the office of National Chaplain for the American War Mother's organization, During which time she was in charge of services at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington Cemetery in Virginia. Rubie received numerous awards and recognitions during her lifetime of service. She was proud to be inducted into the Kiowa Hall of Fame. She received Distinguished Service Citations from the City of Wichita, The Wichita Board of Education, the Wichita Council of Churches and the United States Social Security Division. She also received a Certificate of Excellence Award from the Kiowa Chapter 18 of the American War Mothers. Rubie is survived by her brother, Robert Thompson and his wife, Cora of Carnegie; three children, Betty Tsatoke of Oklahoma City, Clif McKenzie and wife, Michele of Oklahoma City and Emile McKenzie and husband, Paul Maton of Edmond, Oklahoma. She has four grandchildren: Glenn Stewart Ivanoff and wife, Lorie of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Allen Ivanoff and wife, Tonia of Yukon, Oklahoma, Kasey McKenzie and Brent Coleman of Checotah, Oklahoma and Kristen Burnett and husband, Joseph of Moore, Oklahoma; four great grandchildren: Madison and Allison Ivanoff, Kassidy and Kandace Burnett. Rubie had two special friends who were faithful visitors, Delores Harragara and Joyce Phillips She has many friends and numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved very much. She will be greatly missed. Rubie is preceded in death by her Brothers: George Paukei and James Paukei, Rupert Thompson and Burke Charles Thompson; Sisters: Nora Mary, Lela Ruth and Eulah Thompson. Prayer service is scheduled for Thursday, February 12, 2015 at 7:00 P.M., in the Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Anadarko. Funeral service will be at 11:00 A. M., Friday, February 13, 2015 at the Smith Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Marilyn Bread will be officiating. Burial to follow in the Fort Cobb Cemetery, Fort Cobb, Oklahoma under the direction of Smith Funeral Home, Anadarko, Oklahoma. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.smithfuneralservices.com

Rubie Paukei Williams

October 18, 1918 - February 9, 2015

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