Obituary for Mildred Warrior

Mildred Horsechief Eagle Warrior, resident of Ponca City, passed away September 20, 2014 at her home surrounded by family. She was 93.

A Native American Church Service will be held Monday, September 22, 2014, a Traditional Feast will be Tuesday, September 23, 2014 before the service that will be at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at Ponca Indian United Methodist Church in White Eagle, OK.

Mildred was born the eldest daughter of four sisters, March 20, 1921 to David Horsechief Eagle and Sarah Allen Horsechief Eagle at Fort Oakland Reserve in Tonkawa, OK. She graduated from Chilocco Indian School in Chilocco, OK. Mildred then met Lamont Warrior and they married September 1, 1945 in Winfield, KS.

Descended from hereditary chiefs, she carries forward her culture by leading the Tonkawa Women’s Scalp Dance Society. In her 80’s she walked for miles in the summer heat to demonstrate against corporate polluters. "You just have to live a good life," she said, "Don’t baby your illnesses. Try to keep moving. Be good to your body and you’ll live a long time."

Warrior’s great-great-grandfather on her Ponca side was White Eagle, who lived to be 114, for whom the community where she lived was named. His son, Horse Chief Eagle, bestowed upon her the name, Ay-non-dah-bah. but with time and the suppression of Ponca language, the names meaning went the way of her elders.

Mildred was a avid sports fan, she enjoyed watching and playing. Mildred played softball until the age of 65 as the pitcher and she played her last basketball game at the age of 91.

She was well known throughout the Pow-Wow World and Indian Country. She gave her support wherever and whenever she could. Mildred was a member Native American Church and Ponca Indian United Methodist Church.

Mildred is survived by her sons; Gordon Warrior and wife Lois of Tonkawa, OK, Larry Warrior of Medford, OK, Clement Warrior of Tonkawa, OK, Jerome Warrior and wife Marie of Ponca City, OK, Cheryl Arkeketa and husband Spencer of Ponca City, OK. She was also survived by 32 grandchildren, 78 Great Grandchildren, 17 Great Great, and 9 Great Great Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her spouse Lamont Warrior and three sons, James Warrior, Kermit Warrior, and Ponca Warrior, Three Step-sons, Adolphus Warrior, Leroy Warrior, Anthony Warrior; Four sisters, Rosemary Horsechief Eagle Haymond, Vivian Cornell Horsechief Eagle, Madelyn Norman Horsechief Eagle, and Ada Mae Grant.

Source: Trout Funeral Home