Obituary for Collen Knight

Colleen Knight

May 13, 1937 – March 13, 2022

Colleen (Collins) Knight, 84, of Newkirk, made her journey home to be with the Lord, on Sunday morning, March 13, 2022. Following the traditional noon feast, a Funeral Ceremony will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at the Ponca Tribe Cultural Center, with Jim White officiate. Burial will immediately follow at the Ponca Tribal Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave., Ponca City, OK 74601.

Colleen was born on May 13, 1937, in Pawnee, OK, to Melvin Bob Collins, Sr. and Jennie LeClair Collins. Colleen lived a very long, fulfilling life. She attended school at the Old White Eagle School House, Chilocco, Indian School and later, pursued a degree and career in nursing. At the age of 29, her loving and caring nature brought her and Ben Cerre to adopt their son, Arthur Elwood Cerre and raise him as their own; along side their daughters, Harriet, Geraldine, and Dora. Among being a former Ponca Tribal Princess, skilled seamstress specializing in traditional regalia and the making of baby star quilts. She was also be remembered as being a Ponca Lady Singer, tribal story teller and historian, who was among the few still fluent in speaking the Ponca tribal language, as well as being a life-long member of the Gives Water Family Service Club, Ponca Hethu’shka Society, Ponca Tribal Princess Sorority and Ladies Auxiliary.

Colleen was rich in her love for her family, heritage, traditional teachings, and belief in the old ways in which she raised four generations of descendants. She herself was a proud descendant of Long Chief, who was the father of Big Elk, War Chief of the Ponca Tribe. She also instilled pride in knowing that the Collins family have been known or their skilled craft in the art of Drum making, which is still being carried on by her nephews and grandson, who are also teaching our next generation. With Colleen went so much wisdom. she enjoyed laughing, teasing and visiting. To know her was to indeed love her. she will be deeply missed.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Henry Knight; parents, Jennie and Bob Collins, brothers, Emerson Buffalohead, Harry Buffalohead, Melvin Collins, Jr, Henry T. Collins, Perry Collins Jr., Alan Collins; sister, Sherron Jones; daughters, Harriet Cerre and Geraldine Cornell; grandson, Richard “Lee” Cornell, Jr.; sons-in-law, Richard L. Cornell, Sr. and Les Williams and daughter-in-law, Lisa Williams.

Those left to cherish her beloved memory are her children, Dora Cerre and husband, Arthur; sister, Coralie Collins Buffalohead and Norma Primeaux Lewis and family of Zuni, NM; grandchildren, Ben Silva, Luis Silva, Cory Simpson, Jared Silva, Leslie Cornell and companion, Brandon Rush, Judith Lewis, Pauline Chama and Chris Williams; beloved great-grandchildren, Alec Kent, Ethan Simpson, Andrea Simpson and Gracelynn Cornell; along with a host of extended family and friends.

Pallbearers will be Luis R. Silva, Jared R. Silva, Christopher J. Williams, Raymond Cerre, Cory Simpson and Alex Kent. Honorary Pallbearers will be Robert Collins, Bruce Collins, Brandon Rush, Michael We’sa, Bear NoEar, Mark Collins, Ben Silva, Shelby Street, Mitchell Cerre, Richard Driggers, James Cerre and John Cerre.

Source: Trout Funeral Home