|
| |
JoAnn Powell was born December 26, 1935 to Sarah Coker Hicks and Cheparney Ahfonoke Hicks at their home near Buckeye Indian Baptist Church. She departed from this life surrounded by family on April 26, 2024 at the age of 88.
JoAnn attended Mason Schools as a child until she began working to help her family on their farm. As an adult she worked as a seamstress as well as a cook for the Okemah Indian Hospital.
JoAnn and her family moved from Wetumka to Iron Post in 1963 where she remained until she passed. She and the late George Hill married and had five children, Jeanette, Janet, Sammy, Soloman, and David. Later in life, JoAnn married the late Arthur Powell and together raised one son, Jesse "Echaswv".
She was a skilled seamstress, making ribbon skirts, dresses, ribbon vests, and quilts up until her passing. JoAnn also did beadwork and her traditional food was well-known, especially her Sofke.
JoAnn loved music and dancing, especially fiddle dance. Gathering with family and friends, participating in the culture and community, and sitting on her porch were times that she enjoyed. She had a great sense of humor and was remembered by everyone that met her.
Her pride and joy was her family. Her passion was her Mvskoke way of life as a first language speaker. She encouraged her family to follow Mvskoke values and traditions whenever she could, including speaking the Creek language, how to make traditional foods, ceremonial ways, and the teachings she received from her parents.
She was the oldest member of the Akfvske Ceremonial Ground, shaking shells her entire life. She served over 23 years as Head Lady leading Ribbon Dance. She was baptized at Buckeye Indian Baptist Church where her mother attended.
JoAnn is Survived by her brother Hanson Hicks; 6 children Jeanette Martin and husband Roy Martin; Janet Hill; Sammy Hill and wife Gina Burgess; Soloman Hill and wife Cissie Hill; David Hill and wife Monica Hill; Jesse "Echaswv" Powell and wife Karen McGirt; 19 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren with one on the way and a large extended family.
She is preceded in death by George Hill, Arthur Powell and her parents; two sisters, Louise Burgess and Maggie Hill; three brothers, Jesse Hicks, Wilson "Mekko" Hicks, and Banson Hicks; and one grandchild, Steven Horse.
"Ayepisonat sulket vmvtolokvhane tos hecakcvhes"
Funeral services are Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Muscogee Creek Nation Dome, 2950 Warrior Road in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.
This site may be freely linked, but not duplicated in any way without consent.
All rights reserved! Commercial use of material within this site is prohibited!
© 2000-2024 Oklahoma CemeteriesThe information on this site is provided free for the purpose of researching your genealogy. This material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, for your own research, as long as this message remains on all copied material. The information contained in this site may not be copied to any other site without written "snail-mail" permission. If you wish to have a copy of a donor's material, you must have their permission. All information found on these pages is under copyright of Oklahoma Cemeteries. This is to protect any and all information donated. The original submitter or source of the information will retain their copyright. Unless otherwise stated, any donated material is given to Oklahoma Cemeteries to make it available online. This material will always be available at no cost, it will always remain free to the researcher.