Mary Cleghorn-Vann

Mary E. CleghornVann, resident of Ponca City, passed Saturday, January 19, 2013 in Tulsa. She was 68 years of age.

Mary was born July 25, 1944 in Pawnee, Oklahoma, the daughter of Claude Womack and Mildred Cleghorn. She was a member of the OtoeMissouria Eagle Clan. She attended the Ponca City schools and furthered her education in California. She earned degrees in History and Native American Studies while attending Cal State University, Long Beach, and was instrumental in starting the Indian Studies program at Cal State.

Mary was a member of the OtoeMissouria War Mothers and the Cal State Indian Alumni Association. Her enjoyments were her grandchildren, her cats and gardening. In earlier years she was an avid reader of science fiction and other topics, as she was always wanting to learn many new things.

She is survived by her mother, Mildred Hudson of Oklahoma City two sons, Stephen Johnson and wife, Susan, of Long Beach, California, and Cash Johnson of Ponca City one brother, Steven Finley of Oklahoma City and one sister, Leslie Batten of Vancouver, Washington three grandchildren, Sarandon McAdams, Zoey Vann and Sage Vann numerous nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her father and daughterinlaw, Theresa Louise Johnson.

A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, January 24, 2013 at the OtoeMissouria Cultural Center. A noon meal will be served on Friday, January 25, 2013 at the OtoeMissouria Cultural Center with a memorial services to follow at 2 p.m. with Randy Whitehorn presiding.
Burial of cremains will follow at the Cleghorn Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.