Florence Cole

Florence Calls Him Cole, longtime resident of the Ponca City area, passed away Monday morning, February 7, 2011 at her home in Ponca City. She was 83 years of age. Her given Indian name was GlaydatheyXa which means stubborn hawk.

Florence was born April 9, 1927 on the family homestead on the Yellow Berry allotment of the Bressie community. Her parents were George Calls Him Sr. and Ellen Yellow Berry Calls Him. She attended school in Pawnee and later the Chilocco Indian School. She was married to Gilbert Cole Jr. on December 5, 1947 in Newkirk.

Florence was of the House of Nikapahshna Deer Clan. She was nationally known as a master bead worker and has some of her craft on display at the National Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.. She had personally made many of the crowns that were presented at the area powwows. She was sought out by many of the Ponca Tribal people to teach them the Poncan native language.

She was the Matriarch of the Cole family and had taken in many other tribal people as her own that included the Calls Him, Roye, White Star and LeClair families. She was known as a mother and friend to many many people. She was very supportive of the American Legion activities and was a member of the Alfred Little Standing Buffalo Post 38 Auxiliary. She was very proud of her familys service to our country. She was also a member of the Ponca Indian Methodist Church. She was a very traditional tribal member and her enjoyments included attending the traditional Indian dances, going to the casinos where she enjoyed playing bingo, spending time with her many family and extended family.

She is survived by her four sons, Delbert Cole, Colbert Cole, Robert Cole and Talbert Cole two daughters, Constance Maria Cole and Sarah Ellen Cole Primeaux one sister, Geraldine Hardman Primeaux 15 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren her brotherinlaw, Phillip Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents husband 2 infant daughters, both named Marcia, and one infant son, Gilbert Cole III three brothers, Rev. George Calls Him Jr., Leonard Biggoose and Rev. Stanton White Star 3 sisters, Christine Calls Him Big Bear, Doris Calls Him Roye and Bonnie Calls Him LeClair.

Prayer services will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 9, 2011 evening at the Ponca Indian Methodist Church. A traditional noon meal will be served prior to the funeral service at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 10, 2011 at the Ponca Indian Methodist Church. The services will be officiated by Bro. Jimmy White and Rev. Abraham Jackson. Interment will follow in the Ponca Tribal Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Casket bearer will be Mrs. Coles grandsons.