Sophina Williams

Sophina Nell Williams, resident of El Reno, Oklahoma and former resident of the Ponca City area, passed Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at St. Anthony's Hospital in Oklahoma City. She was 59 years of age. Sophina's Indian name was "Hah Wa Tay" which means buckskin dress. She was a member of the Pawnee Nation Deer and Cedar clans.

She was born September 22, 1955 in Pawnee, Oklahoma, the daughter of Emerson Buffalohead and Emalyne (Collins) Buffalohead. She attended the McArthur Educational Facility in Lawton, Oklahoma before graduating from Ponca City High School in 1973. She earned an Associate Degree from Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas. While attending Haskell Sophina was named Miss Haskell in 1976. She then completed nursing school at Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa. She served as an LPN for 31 years and was employed at numerous nursing homes and health facilities that included Blackwell, Stillwater, Ponca City, El Reno and Geary.

Sophina was baptized at the Ponca Indian Baptist Church and was also a member of the Native American Church. She also belonged to the Giveswater Club and was a Lady singer. She enjoyed attending Indian dances, watching movies and attending meetings at the Native American Church.

She is survived by her son, Tod Roy of El Reno; one granddaughter, Lindsay Roy; siblings Debra A. Overland, Laura Jones, Alexis Warrior, Melvina S. Collins, Melvin P. Collins and Mark D. Collins; other extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, John E. Buffalohead and Matthew H. Collins.

Prayer services will be held Thursday and Friday evening, June 18 and 19, at the Ponca Indian Baptist Church. A noon meal will be served on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at the Ponca Indian Baptist Church followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. Burial will be in the Ponca Tribal Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Casket bearers are Baptiste E. Collins, Cody Mountain Collins, Dusty Collins, Big Elk Jones, Ricky Jones and Les Williams. Honorary casket bearers are Keith Buffalohead Jr., Dwight Buffalohead, Jimmy Williams, Curtis Williams, O.J. Littlecook and Pete Buffalohead.