Obituary for Loretta “Dee” Crain

Loretta Delores “Dee” Crain

September 19, 1936 – June 11, 2018

Loretta Delores “Dee” Crain of Ponca City, OK went Home to be with the Lord and her loved ones early Monday morning, June 11, 2018.

Dee was born September 19, 1936 to Irving and Lucy (Williams) Standsblack at Pawnee Indian Hospital at Pawnee, OK. Her Ponca name was Gee-wah-chee-bae and she was of the Nuxe` clan of the Ponca Tribe. Dee attended Pawnee and Chilocco Indian Boarding Schools. On October 13, 1954 she married Dewey B. Crain in Shidler, OK. The couple celebrated 63 years of marriage October 13, 2017. They made their permanent home in Ponca City, OK. Dee was a stay at home Mom until she pursued a career in cosmetology for 23 years. Dee was a successful, talented hairstylist at several salons in Ponca City, OK. Dee also served her Ponca Tribe as the Housing Director. Before retirement she enjoyed bowling on many women’s leagues. After retirement she enjoyed spending time with her family, sewing, playing golf, attending cultural dances, going to Ponca Tribe Senior Citizens and playing dominoes with her favorite partner Tootie, having lunch with her relatives and friends. She also served as treasurer for this group. Dee was a member and attended Ponca Indian Baptist Church, where she served as secretary/treasurer as well as a Sunday School teacher. She was a member of Post 38 Women’s Auxiliary. Annually she would go on a special vacation with her best friend Mickie Oulds; they traveled to many States together. Dee was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister. She was her family and friend’s greatest cheerleader. She could make you feel anything was possible and you could accomplish anything you set your mind to. Her words of encouragement will be carried in our hearts and minds.

Loretta Delores “Dee” Crain is survived by her husband Dewey of the home, three daughters, Deborah Margerum (Michael) of Ponca City, OK, Karen Howe, of Ponca City, OK, Susan Cornell (Michael), of Tonkawa, OK. She has seven grandchildren, Sonny King (Teresa), Ponca City, OK, Deidre Sentel (Roger), Ponca City, OK, Christan Hinman (Sean), Edmond, OK, Kelsey Hinman (Herlinda) Newkirk, OK, Candace Myer (Braden) Tonkawa, OK, Jody Cornell (Maria) Ponca City, OK, Angela Howe, Ponca City, OK. She is survived by great grandchildren Jake Schultz, Greeley, CO, Amanda Dronberger, Ponca City, OK, Lucas Craft, Owasso, OK, Zackary King, Tonkawa, OK, Emilio and Cecil Hinman, Newkirk, OK, Breanna Cornell, Michea Jo Cornell, of Ponca City. Jayden and Mikayla Myer of Tonkawa, OK. Dee had two great-great granddaughters Alexandria Dronberger, and Celia Rose Miller. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters from the Williams and Standsblack Family.

Dee was preceded in death by her parents, sister LouElla Carver, brothers Frank Standsblack, Steele Standsblack, Clarence “Bunny” Standsblack, Daniel Standsblack, two half-sisters, Joann Standsblack and Viola Standsblack.

Wake services will be held nightly at the Ponca Indian Baptist Church beginning at 7:00 p.m. The traditional feast will begin at noon on June 14, 2019 with funeral services at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Ponca Tribal Cemetery. Pall bearers will be grandsons Sonny King, Kelsey Hinman, Jody Cornell, Zack King, Jayden Myer, and Kyle Robedeaux.