Betty Windel

Luginbuel Funeral Home - Vinita - 918-256-5555..... Betty Jo Windel, age 84 died Friday, December 5, 2014, at Vinita, Oklahoma. She was born March 24, 1930, in Delaware County, Oklahoma. Her parents were Joe S. Weaver, from Kentucky and Lucy Luona (Graham) Weaver, from Tennessee. Her grandparents were Scott & Ellen (Yadon) Weaver, of Kentucky, and William Crosyer & Sarah L. (Brient) Graham, of North Carolina. William Crosyer Graham was a third great-grandson of Cherokee Indian Chief Moy-Toy (Matoy). Her third great- grandfather, James Matoy came into the territory in 1834, with the Indian removal to Indian Territory. Betty's great-great-grandparents, William & Mary Ann Matoy, came into Indian Territory, in 1875, and settled on the Cowskin Prairie. Her Weaver grandparents arrived by wagon in Grove, Oklahoma at 2:00 p.m. on November 16, 1907, two hours after statehood, so they really could be considered early Oklahoma settlers. As a child, Betty lived on what is now Monkey Island, and attended school at the "Old Bernice" school for four years. When Grand Lake was built, the family farm went under water, so the family moved five miles south of Afton. Betty then went to Cleora school, where she graduated in 1947. After graduation, Betty furthered her education and went to work. She was involved in real-estate for a number of years, and worked as a bookkeeper at the old Glass House restaurant over the turnpike, in the 1960's. On June 6, 1948, she and Charles Windel were married at Wagoner, Oklahoma. After their marriage, they moved seven miles east, and a little over a mile south of Vinita, in the Success community. Their only child, Keven Charles Windel was born while they lived there. In 1955, they purchased the Windel farm from Charles' parents. She assisted Charles with the farm, until his health forced him to retire. Betty helped care for Charles, until he died on June 17, 2004. Betty was always full of spunk and fire, and lived a full and varied life. She loved going "antiquing" collecting all kinds of things, including Indian memorabilia and John Deere toys. She never found a tractor driving Indian, but she would have grabbed it up, and took it home if she had. Photography was a hobby, but she was an avid genealogist, and traced hers and Charles' families back multi- generations. She taught others how to do Indian research, some of whom now assist others, and do a great deal of research today. She published several family histories, old records from Delaware County, and other records, including her book on the Yadon-Pennybacker lines. She was a member of the Abraham Coryell Chapter of DAR and the Craig County Genealogical Society of which she was president at one time. She was especially proud to be part Cherokee, and a descendant of old Chief Moytoy Old graveyards were another love for Betty. She and her best genealogy buddies had a hard time passing one without stopping to look around. But you didn't want to get in her way when she was ready to leave. Oh no. Even if you were stuck in a fallen tree, she would leave you there, only offering to "set the tree on fire, so you can get out easier." as she traipsed out in the knee high grass! Betty's personality was a cross between the Queen of England, the cartoon character, Betty Boop, a squaw on the warpath, and Lucille Ball, in "I Love Lucy". Betty got herself into (and out of) more fixes in her lifetime, than even she could remember, laughing with friends and family at all the crazy things she was into. Friends and family will greatly miss her smile and laughter. And our "red-headed Indian". Betty was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and two brothers, James Weaver and Howard Weaver. Survivors include her son Keven, and wife Marlene (Goins) Windel, of Wasilla, Alaska. One granddaughter, Melissa Windel, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; A sister-in-law, Katie Weaver, several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, her friends, and a special neighbor, Donald Matoy. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Monday, December 15, 2014 at the Luginbuel Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be at the Luginbuel Funeral Chapel, 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 16, 2014. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemories.com

Visitation Details

Monday, December 15th, 2014 5:00pm - 7:00pm, Luginbuel Funeral Home Vinita

Service Details

Tuesday, December 16th, 2014 2:00pm, Luginbuel Funeral Home