Elizabeth Lizzy Jane Whitekiller

Hulbert, OK- Funeral Services for Lizzie Jane Whitekiller will be held on Monday, November 19th, 2012 at 10:00 AM at Reed-Culver Funeral Home with Reverend Clint Ballou and Reverend Sam Keener officiating. The Wake Service for Lizzie will be held at Reed-Culver Funeral Home, Sunday November 18th, 2012, from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm, with Lizzie’s family. Interment will take place at Swimmer Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Reed-Culver Funeral Home.

Elizabeth “Lizzie” Jane Whitekiller was born on May 27th, 1916, the daughter of Reverend Jack and Patsy (Ketcher) Batt, in the Echota Community near Stilwell, OK. On July 28th, 1934, she married the love of her life, William Geet Whitekiller at Barnhurst School near Clear Creek. They shared 68 years of marriage together and presented 5 generations to the world. During her long and gracious life, Lizzie worked at many different jobs to support her ten children and providing them with an education of mind and spirit. She was a member and contributor to the Swimmer Baptist Church all the days of her life. Her husband served as deacon and preached in the church. Lizzie assured that each and every one of her children had a Christian upbringing. She was a member of the Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) for over 50 years. She was always ready to give of her time and talents to serve those in need, from cooking nutritious meals to making quilts to keep those in need just a little bit warmer against the cold. She donated her talents to community benefits, and made special gifts at Christmas time. She served the church as Sunday school Teacher, WMU President, Secretary, and Treasurer, and was associated with the Cherokee Baptist Association for years. Lizzie led her life by example. She worked hard, beginning as a Clerk at the old Rogers Drug Store in Hulbert, took in ironing, worked as a Nurse’s Aide in numerous nursing homes, cooked for years at Lost City Grade School and first patient advocate for Cherokee speaking patients and processed patients for the doctors at the old W.W. Hastings Hospital. She worked as one of the original Cherokee Nation Community Health Representatives before her retirement. All this was done while still being the mother of ten children. She emphasized education to her family and set the example by getting her GED certificate at the same time her 10th child graduated from Hulbert High school. Lizzie sponsored the Whitekiller Family Reunion for 10 years, with over 100 guests yearly. Her home was open to everyone so they could be a part of the fun and games during the day and a gospel singing held at the end of the reunion for the community. She found time to become a OU Sooner fan and a Dallas Cowboys fan. She enjoyed quilting, sewing, working puzzles, fishing, and hunting for crawdads. Her family meals featured cinnamon rolls the size of plates and chicken and dumplings, always with enough to go around. Lizzie was one of the oldest elders of her community. She served as an inspiration to her children, grandchildren, relatives and friends. She spoke, read, wrote and sang in the Cherokee Language, a legacy she passed on to the five generations blessed to call her Mom and Grandma. In 2002, Lizzie was recognized as a National Treasure of the Cherokee Nation for her quilting skills. The Lord called Lizzie home from her labors on November 14th, 2012 at her home in Hulbert, with her loving family close by her side. Lizzie was 96 years old.

Lizzie has gone on to join her parents, her husband William Geet, brothers Earthy, Dan, Jefferson, George and Baby brother, and sisters, Lilly, Susie, Betty, and Ida, and two grandchildren, Sharon Cox and Richard Lee Cox Jr.

Those left to cherish Lizzie’s memory include her children, Rose Cox of Tahlequah, Ok, Robert Whitekiller of Hulbert, Ella Mae Clark of Wagoner, OK, Pat Wade of Keys, Bill Whitekiller and wife Carrol of Tahlequah, OK, Mary Shahan-Keeton and husband Jerry of Hulbert, Ok, Kelly Whitekiller and wife Susan of Tahlequah, OK, Sherrie Perry and husband Farrell of Tahlequah, OK, George Whitekiller and wife Twila of Tahlequah, OK, and Johnny Whitekiller and wife Carey of Ft. Smith, AR. She leaves two sisters, Esther Cooper of Salina, OK, and Linda Godinez of El Paso, TX. Lizzie’s legacy lives on in her 29 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren, 15 great great grandchildren, and 3 great great great grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones.