Velma Jones

Velma Louise Jones, resident of Ponca City, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 15, 2008 the same day in September her mother died 45 years earlier. She was surrounded by her loving family. Velma was given the name Mii Ma Shin meaning rising moon and was born the daughter of Narcissus Pensoneau and Elizabeth Littlecook Pensoneau Hernandez on January 15, 1913 at Fox Town on the Ponca Indian Reserve. She grew up in Ponca City and attended Chilocco Indian School. She worked for the Miller Brothers Store where she adopted a pet badger the 101 Ranch owned. She was the eldest matriarch and an icon in the Ponca Tribe who led a life devoted to volunteer work and community service. Velma was on the board of directors for OIO Oklahoma Indian Opportunity and helped bring OIO to the tribe. She was a member of the Federation of Indian Women as well as a member of the Hi Sa da Clan. Velma was also a successful business owner of Wimpys Caf. A woman ahead of her time, Velma was instrumental in helping establish the first Head Start Program for the Ponca Tribe in 1968. She also organized home health care. Velma was a longtime political advocate for quality Ponca Tribal Government. Velma was a leader in everything and excelled in all she set out to accomplish. She enjoyed playing the violin and ribbon work. She was a Master of Ribbon Work and her art work has been widely worn on traditional regalia. She also had a role in the Trial of the Standing Bear movie. She believed in working hard and doing the right thing. Velma was truly a graceful woman whose presence will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Due to the Ponca way, Velma leaves behind many sons, daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews far too numerous to mention. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lee Otis Jones; siblings, Edward Pensoneau, Daniel Hernandez, Otilla Hernandez and Francis Hernandez. Casket bearers for the service will be Mark Flood, Buck Jones, Paul Mark Jones, Chris Littlecook, Andrew Lieb, Talbert Cole, Eugene Cameron and Chester Kline. Honorary bearers will be Dwight Howe, Warren Curtis Jones, Bruce Jones, Delbert Cole, Lloyd Deere, Steve Pensoneau, Larry Hernandez, Bruce Hernandez, Tony Hernandez and Raul Ramirez. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, September 18, 2008 at the Ponca Indian United Methodist Church with Brother Jimmy White officiating. Burial will follow at the Ponca Tribal Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.