Catherine Olive (Wisdom) Pendergraft
Dec 28, 1924 - Dec 27, 2020
Posted by Jo Aguirre

DeArman Funeral Home
Wynnewood, OK
(permission granted)

She was born on December 28, 1924 to Cleveland and Alice Wisdom at their home in Mill Creek, Oklahoma. Catherine was a proud, full-blood, Chickasaw citizen who loved life and lived everyday to the fullest. Catherine attended Bloomfeild Academy in her early childhood and attended Chilocco Indian School for most of her high school days. She moved back to Mill Creek her senior year, where she graduated. After graduation, she moved to Oklahoma City where a lot of her friends from Chilocco lived. They all ran around together and lived together, working various jobs in the big city. Catherine lived in Oklahoma City several years, where she raised her children. She later settled back in Mill Creek, to care for her dad and mom. As a caretaker, she found time to go back to school, and earn a degree in business administration from Murray State College, while working fulltime at the Chickasaw Motor Inn in Sulphur, OK. She would eventually retire from the Chickasaw Nation, serving many years as a Dorm Parent at Carter Seminary School in Ardmore. When asked why she got a degree just to teach kids, she replied "I am a teacher, counselor, parent and chauffeur." Known as Miss Pen, she was strict, but loved and respected by her kids. Catherine lived a full and blessed life surrounded by family and friends. She loved going to anything that involved her family, watching OU football games, hanging out at the Chickasaw senior sites, attending the senior trips and of course, dancing...leading the conga line! She was member of About the Father's Business Church in Ardmore and loved traveling to hear her son preach.

She is preceeded in death by her parents, Cleveland Wisdom and Alice Carhee Wisdom Cass; an aunt, Mae Pearl Durin; brother, Albert Wisdom; sisters, Evelyn Wisdom Holland and Ruby Jean Mitchell Barlow; a daughter, Anita Wade; and daughter-in-law, Nancy Wade.

She is survived by three sisters, Lillian Wisdom Underwood of Mill Creek, OK, Ruthie Mitchell Ellis, of Ada, OK, and Juanita Cass Moody of Mill Creek, OK; two sons, Steven Bell of Mill Creek, OK, and Randy Wade of Ravia, OK; a daughter, Paula Wade Brown and husband Kelly Brown of Ada, OK; nine grandchildren, Terry Fox, Jr., Sherry Fox Acker, Tony Hulbutta, Matthew Wade, Bethany Wade McCord, Lillian Wade, Catherine Factor Roberson, LaRue Baken Wright, Paul Baken, and their spouses; 27 great grandchildren; and nine great great grandchildren.

Funeral Services to honor and celebrate the life of Catherine Olive Pendergraft will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 2:00 PM at DeArman-Clark Funeral Home Chapel.

Interment to follow at Seeley Cemetery.

Family hour will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 on Tuesday.