Margaret Beth Raymond

Margaret Beth (Peake) Raymond, 82, of Tahlequah, OK passed peacefully on July 7, 2023 surrounded by loved ones. Margaret was born on June 22, 1941 to Jesse and Louis Breuninger Peake in Tahlequah. She graduated from Northeastern State College in 1963 with a Bachelors of Education. She completed her Master's of Social Work from the University of Oklahoma in 1974.

Margaret embarked on a career of leadership. She moved to Minneapolis in 1975 and began working for Minnesota DHS. There she was instrumental in the establishment of the Mash Ka Wisen Treatment Center, the first Native owned chemical dependency treatment center in the country. Then in 1984, with the help of her husband Elgie Raymond, she founded the Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center and served as the first executive director. Margaret’s work in the Native communities of Minnesota was prolific and meaningful. Her work led to the State of Minnesota and the City of Minneapolis declaring June 21, 1996 as “Margaret Peake Raymond Day.”

Margaret returned to Tahlequah in the late 1990s to work for the Cherokee Nation. There she developed innovative programs in the arts, culture, education and language. She spearheaded the creation of a Cherokee language immersion program that has been a model for Native language retention. Margaret is widely recognized for tireless work on behalf of Native Americans. She has published in numerous professional and academic publications on issues including tribal education, culture, and language as well as urban development and substance abuse issues facing American Indians.

In 2011, Margaret retired and spent her time with friends and family while creating beautiful beaded artwork.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband Elgie Raymond, her parents Jesse and Louis Breuninger Peake, her sister Maxine Dugan, her children Gary, Lisa and Robert Stopp, her step-grandson Fred “Swiftbird” Raymond and great-grandson Witten Stopp. She is survived by her step-sons Reid “Scott” Raymond (Wife Heidi A. Drobnick) and Victor Raymond (Wife Lynn Litterer), daughter-in-law Anna Knight, grandchildren Michael Stopp, Jake Stopp, Gerald Johnson, Amanda Stopp, Lance Raymond Robertson, LuAnn Raymond, James Raymond, William Raymond, Jo Grey, and great-grandchildren Dylan Stopp, Nathan Thorne, Haley Stopp, Mia Stopp and many nieces, nephews, and loving cousins.

Funeral services will be conducted by Reed-Culver Funeral Home. Viewing will be Monday, July 10, 2023 from 2:00pm until 6:00pm at Reed-Culver. Memorial service will be held Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at 10:00am at Elm Tree Baptist Church in Tahlequah with a potluck lunch to follow. Interment will be a private family event to follow cremation.

Honorary pallbearers for Margaret include Michael Stopp, Jake Stopp, Brad Peak, Gerald Johnson, James Raymond and Dylan Stopp.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the American Indian Merit Award at the Northeastern State University Foundation. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.reedculver.com for the Raymond family.