Thelma Perez

Thelma Smith Perez, longtime Oklahoma City resident, passed away at her home. She was 83 years old.
Thelma was born to Leonard Smith and Julia Burtt on December 15, 1926 in Pawnee, Oklahoma. She attended Pawnee Indian School and moved to Oklahoma City where she worked in home health.
Thelma loved playing bingo, shopping and telling stories of long ago. She also loved to visit and was always on the go. Thelma was one of approximately six tribal members left that spoke the Ponca Language fluently. She was a loving mother and grandmother and her gentle spirit will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her children, Thomas Roy, Chela Bermea Martinez, Tina Dilbeck, Donny Bermea Fernando Bermea and Bruno Bermea and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren and greatgreat grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents son, Robert Roy daughter, Darlene Enriquez brothers and sisters, Lenora Smith Buffalohead, John Franklin Smith and Gladys Smith nieces, Brenda Smith, Adeline Smith, Amelia Smith Warrior and Phyllis Smith.
Casket bearers for the service will be Danny Page, Robbie Page, Gabriel Perez, Baptist Roy, Julian Serrato and Paris Roy.
Honorary bearers will be Michael Cardenas, Alfredo Cardenas, Dano Cornell, Arnulfo Serrato, Santos Serrato, Luis Herrera, Adrian Cardenas, Blue Roy and Joe LeClair.
The traditional noon meal will be held on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at the Ponca Indian Methodist Church. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. with The Rev. David Long and Brother Jimmy White officiating. Burial will follow in the Ponca Tribal Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.