Announcements & Events

Lewis “Sonny” George Snake was born February 10, 1943 to Lewis Snake and Elizabeth “Betty” Ann (Middleton) Sales in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He passed from this life January 10, 2025, at his home in Shawnee, at the age of 81. After high school Sonny joined the United States Army. While in the military he served as a Sergeant Major in the Green Berets, an Army Special Forces Unit. Military awards he received include Expert (Rifle M-1); Marksman (Rifle M-14 & Carbine Caliber 30); Sharpshooter (Carbines & Rifle); National Defense Service Medal (10 Oak Leaf Clusters); Army Commendation Medal; Bronze Star Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm; Meritorious Unit Commendation; Korean Service Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge; Vietnam Civil Actions Medal (1st Class); Good Conduct Medal (7th Award); Meritorious Service Medal; United Nations Service Medal; Master Parachute Badge; Vietnam Parachute Badge; 3 Oversea Bars (Indicating 54 months or 4.5 years of Military Service Overseas – 18 months for each bar); 7 Service Stripes (Indicates 21-23 years of Honorable Service). Other awards and achievements include Certificate of Recognition from the United States Black Belt Federation to Certify that: Snake’s Moo Duk Kwan Association and Snake’s Moo Duk Kwan Karate Do, under the leadership of Lewis George Snake, are fully recognized and duly recorded as a Sogo Budo Ryu in the registry of the United States Black Belt Federation. Received 10th Degree Black Belt and Title of Hanshi (Master) in the Discipline of Snake’s Moo Duk Kwan Karate Do by the United States Black Belt Federation. After retiring from Tinker, he became a private investigator and worked in security. Sonny married Marion “Kay” Hensley on February 19, 2005. He liked doing crossword puzzles, he enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune, and Friends, and older TV shows like Andy Griffith, Leave It To Beaver, Happy Days, and Cheers. He really enjoyed playing the game “Super Mario Brothers” on the Nintendo with his late wife, Kay. He enjoyed seeing the “Great Archway,” in St. Louis and “Graceland,” the home of Elvis Presley. His greatest achievement was his children, becoming a Master of Martial Arts, and his military service as a Green Beret in the United States Army. He was a member of the United States Black Belt Federation, Member of the Masonic Lodge of Freemasonry, and a member of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marion “Kay”; grandson, Taylor “Lew” Lewis, and several aunts and uncles he was raised and grew up with in Texas. Those left to cherish his memory are his children: Danny and Terrie Sullivan; Raymond Sullivan; Barry and Pam Snake; Gerald Snake; Brandi and Charles “Chuck” Lewis; Stewart and Tyann Snake; Amber Snake and Scott Roden; Julia and Jimmy Horn; and Yolanda and Chris Cullison; numerous grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

  Clifton Nicholas Brokeshoulder, Jr.  April 6, 1936 - June 9, 2024 It is with great sadness that the remaining children of Minnie and Clifton Nicholas Brokeshoulder, announce the passing of their oldest brother Clifton (Cliff) Nicholas Brokeshoulder Jr. on June 9, 2024. Cliff died from lung-related issues in Surprise, AZ.   He was 88 years old and enjoyed traveling, sports, and retirement life.   Cliff was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma.  In 1945, the Brokeshoulder family moved to Ardmore, Oklahoma.  Cliff entered Washington Grade and Ardmore Middle School. While in Middle school, Cliff worked as a golf caddie at Dornick Hills. Country Club. He was able to caddie for famous golfers such as Jack Nicklaus.  From this experience, Cliff learned and loved the game of golf. During his lifetime, he traveled and competed in many golf tournaments.  In 1957, Cliff graduated from High School at Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas.  While at Haskell, he was a track athlete and ran with Billy Mills. Billy was one of Cliff’s many long-time friends that he remained in contact with. Cliff had a long career was with Shawnee Mission Medical Center as a Boiler Operator.  He retired at age 65 and moved from Overland Park, Kansas to Surprise, AZ with his wife, Joy. Cliff is survived by his wife, Joy, three daughters, Vicki, Tammy, Sheri and son, Gerald (Beverlee) Brokeshoulder.  He also leaves 6 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Cliff’s  surviving immediate siblings from oldest to youngest are:  Loretta (Les) Schwarz Reed, West Linn. OR; Wynona Lumpmouth, Glendale, AZ; Glenda (Martin) Johnson, Woodbridge, VA; Katrina (Lorenzo) Coriz, Albuquerque, NM; and, Rita Brokeshoulder, Shawnee, OK. Preceding Cliff in death are his parents, Clifton and Minnie Brokeshoulder, and brothers Harry, Harrell, and Eddie Brokeshoulder and sister Helen Arns.

Marvin Lee Smith, 63, of Shawnee, Oklahoma passed away Thursday, February 8, 2024 in Norman, Oklahoma.  He was born February 1, 1961 to Mickey Smith and Velma Blanchard in Norman, Oklahoma. Marvin was raised and born in Norman, Oklahoma and raised in Little Axe. He lived in Bethel acres for the last 25 years. He attended school in Noble, Oklahoma then Ft. Sill Indian School before joining the U.S. Marine Corps proudly serving his country.  After returning from the marine corps, he returned to Little Axe area and began his career in the pest control business for Terminex then opened his own pest control business "All Nations Pest Control" in Shawnee for many years. Marvin enjoyed camping, floating the river, boating, and going to the lake. He loved dogs, but most of all his family and attending all family functions.  He had a wonderful sense of humor and was known as the comedian of the family, along with Sherry they loved bowling and went all over the US for tournaments. He was an avid OU football and Thunder basketball fan. He was preceded in death by his sister, Anna Smith; father, Mickey Smith; son, Landon Davenport; brother, Mickey Smith Jr.; nieces, Dasia Neconie-Shawnee and Anna Roberts. Survivors include his daughter, Jordan Byers; significant other, Sherry Byers; mother, Velma Blanchard; sisters, Sharon Shawnee, Katie and Todd Yates, Melissa Smith, brothers, Roy and Lois Gibson, Gary and Nicole Gibson, Archie Smith, grandchildren, Ryder and Landyn and many nieces and nephews and extended family and friends and Everett, Bart, Nick and Darrol whom he loved like sons.

Joe Spoon, 52, lifelong resident of Tecumseh, Oklahoma passed away Tuesday, February 21, 2023 in Oklahoma City.  He was born February 7, 1971 to Clyde Edward and Lois Fern (Washington) Spoon in Lawton, Oklahoma.  Joe was raised in Tecumseh and attended Tecumseh Public Schools.  He worked his entire career as a Lineman and Electrician and most recently a Supervisor for the City of Tecumseh.  Joe took a lot of pride in his work.  It was very important to him that the job was done right and safely.  Joe was a proud member of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe and was actively involved with his Absentee Shawnee heritage rituals and traditions.  He took a lot of pride in his home, keeping it organized and maintaining his yard and acreage, where family and friends were always welcome.  Family was very important to him and his home was the central meeting place for get togethers, holiday and ceremonies.  Joe loved playing video games, watching movies and enjoyed singing karaoke.  His hobbies included ATV riding on his property and playing pool.  He was an excellent pool player and always ready for a challenger or tournament.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Lois Spoon.  Those left to cherish his memory are his sister and brother-in-law, Loretta and Cecil Mann of Macomb, OK; brother and sister-in-law, Samuel Spoon and Tracy Cage of Tecumseh, OK; nephew, Joel and Stephanie Spoon of Little Axe, OK; great-nephew, Canaan Spoon; great-nieces, Paisley and Raelee Spoon; numerous other extended family and friends. 

  Yvonne Katherine Cahwee was born on March 29, 1950 in Claremore, OK and passed away on May 11, 2022 in Tulsa, OK. She was enrolled with the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma with Muskogee Creek and Seneca descent. Her tribal name was “Na-Ge-Ka-Ewa-Shee” (Beaver) and she was of the Water Clan. She attended Bowen Indian Baptist Church and Indian Falls Creek Baptist Assembly. Yvonne graduated from Tulsa Central High School in 1968 and continued her higher education at the Oklahoma Junior College where she received her Associates of Science degree in Computer Technology in 1984. She married her soulmate, Dwayne, in 1993 and was the mother to five children: Ray, Katherine, William, Tike, and Atira. In addition to being a devoted mama, Yvonne was employed throughout the years at the Tulsa County Assessor’s Office, Indian Health Service’s Office, and retired from River Spirit Casino in 2020 where she was awarded with Employee of the Year in 2016. Her hobbies included travel, sports, movies, concerts, and of course the casino slots. In her younger years, she enjoyed coaching and playing basketball, volleyball, softball, bowling, and pool. In her later years, she loved attending her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events and watching the OU Sooner games every Saturday with her two boys Boogie and Scooter. She cherished the holidays and always had her home decorated for all seasons. Yvonne is survived by her husband Dwayne Cahwee; her three siblings: Eugene Alford Jr., Diane Guthrie, and Janene Alford; her three children: Ray Alford, Katherine Smith, and Atira Chapman; her seven grandchildren; and her six great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her parents Eugene Alford Sr. and Davene Alford; and her two sons, William Alford and Tike Chapman.