Brenda Smith

Brenda Joyce Smith, resident of Ponca City, passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2009 in Marland, Oklahoma. She was 58. Brenda was born the daughter of John Franklin Smith and Lena Big Goose Smith on February 6, 1951 in Pawnee, Oklahoma. She graduated from Chilocco Indian School in 1969. She later attended Haskell Indian College where she studied secretarial business graduating in 1972. Brenda was married to Robert Tillman on August 20, 1972 in Sioux City, Iowa. She loved shopping. On Sundays she would go bargain shopping in Enid, Stillwater or wherever a bargain could be found. Brenda treasured the time she spent with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was a special and dear lady to many and she will be greatly missed. She is survived by her daughters, Jasmine Tillman and husband, Ezra DeLodge and Risa Brown and husband, James Noriega and her father, Rudy Brown of Ponca City; grandchildren, Brendan and Lena DeLodge, Revena Noriega, Billy Gardner, Caleb Long, Phyllis Gardner, Noah Gaul and Ella Gardner; one niece, Melissa Gardner; one nephew, David Long III as well as numerous other nieces and nephews; and one aunt, Thelma Smith. She is preceded in death by her parents, Lena and Franklin; one son, Marcellus Tillman; and one sister, Phyllis Long. Casket bearers for the service will be Caleb Long, Billy Gardner, Danny Koomsa, Joe Feathers, Ezra DeLodge and James Noriega. Honorary bearers will be Paris Roy, Blue Roy, Leon Hernandez, Jeff Hernandez, David Taptto, Simon Cornell and B.J. Roughface. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 22, 2009 at the Ponca Indian United Methodist Church. David Long, Jr. will officiate with Brother Jimmy White assisting. The traditional noon meal and feast will be held before the funeral service. Burial will follow at the Ponca Tribal Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.