Angela Kihega

Mary Angela "Tookie" Kihega passed away on the evening of Nov. 30, 2015, after a courageous battle with cancer. Angela was surrounded by loved ones at her home in Norman at the time of her passing. She was 63 years old.

Angela Taylor was born January 10, 1952, in Claremore, Oklahoma. She attended schools in the Claremore area and attended Oklahoma State Tech at Okmulgee. She was married to Richard Kihega Jr. on June 12, 1976 in Claremore. Throughout her life, Angela influenced many individuals in her community with her passion and volunteer efforts.

She served in the health information management field for more than 40 years, most recently as the Health Information Management Consultant for the Oklahoma City Area office for Indian Health Services. She was honored for 30 years of dedicated service by Indian Health Services.

Angela was also very active in civic organizations and serving the Native American community. She was past President of the Oklahoma Federation of Indian Woman and volunteered her services with many other organizations to help preserve Native American cultures, such as Oklahoma City Public Schools and Norman Public Schools Native American programs, Changing Winds Cultural Society and at various events. Because of her dedication, Angela was awarded American Indian Woman of the Year, American Indian Mother of the Year and she received the Presidential Excellence Award from the Oklahoma Federation of Indian Women.

Angela never met a stranger and was highly respected in the Native American community. She was very proud of her Muscogee (Creek) and Chickasaw heritage and shared her knowledge of culture and traditions with all. She provided many with good advice based off her Christian principles. She also enjoyed playing the piano at various churches and was influential in helping several churches in the Norman area. She was a lively spirit that brought joy to a room, being known to break out in dance or song at any time.

Angela is survived by her children, Michael and his wife Leslie of Norman, and Andrea and her husband Taylor Mann of Shawnee; grandchildren, Brooke, Breanna, Michaela and Michael Jr.; three brothers, George Taylor, Robert Taylor and J.D. Colbert; cousin Blue Clark and his wife Sherri Sullivan; and son/nephew Rock Kihega of Chicago; numerous nieces and nephews, other extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Richard Kihega Jr.; mother Mary Colbert Gooden; stepfather Rev. Willie Gooden; and stepsister Joyce Gooden.

Two wakes will take place Wednesday and Thursday nights at 7 p.m. at the Otoe -Missouria Cultural Building in Red Rock, Oklahoma. The funeral with traditional feast, also at Otoe-Missouria Cultural Building, will take place Friday, December 4th at noon with burial to follow in the Otoe-Missouria Cemetery. All are welcome to attend the traditional Otoe service and celebrate Angela's life. Funeral services will be led by Gary "Chink" Whitecloud Sr. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Casket bearers are Rock Kihega, Darrell Kihega, Kyle Robedeaux, Rev. David Wilson, George Taylor, J.D. Colbert, Robert Taylor and Alde Robedeaux.