Rose Wilkins

Cherokee Rose (Roberson) Wilkins, 84, passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at Freeman Health System in Joplin, Missouri. Services will be 10:00 AM on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at First Baptist Church in Miami with Reverend Rick Longcrier officiating. Interment will follow at the Bluejacket Cemetery under the care of Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Miami. There will be a visitation from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Miami. Rose was born at Porum, Oklahoma September 24, 1929 to William Clyde and Cherokee Starr Roberson; she married Clifton L. Wilkins in Muskogee, Oklahoma on August 27, 1954 and was married 59 years. Rose graduated from the Chilocco Indian School in 1947, then Northeastern State University in Tahlequah with a BA in Education and attained her Master’s in Education from Pittsburg State University. Rose taught school for 37 years. After her practice teaching she was hired in Tahlequah public schools. From there, she continued to teach at Miami High School, Chilocco Indian School, Oaks, Jay and Miami Jr. High. While at Miami High School, she also taught Physical Education and started the Miamiettes drill team. She spent the last 19 years of her career teaching Physical Education and English at NEO A&M College, where she also sponsored intramural sports and restarted the women’s basketball program. She was a member of the Oklahoma Retired Educators, Ottawa County Retired Educators. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Miami and taught a Sunday School Class and was active in Women’s Missionary Union. Rose was a proud descendant of Nancy Ward “Great Lady of the Cherokees.” Mrs. Wilkins is survived by her husband of 59 years, Clifton of Miami, son William Clifton Wilkins and his children Dr. Brek Wilkins and his wife Karen, of Tulsa, Quinn Wilkins and Faith Eileen Wilkins of Fayetteville Ar., son James L Wilkins, his wife Paula, and their sons Cameron Wilkins, his wife Krista, and Corbin Wilkins of Bluejacket. Also surviving are sisters Mary Pate and Margaret Hazlewood of Muskogee Oklahoma. Ex daughter-in law Lisa Wilkins Fayetteville Ar. The family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the Baptist Children’s Home in care of the Funeral Home. Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Mrs. Wilkins’ Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.

Rose Wilkins

September 24, 1929 - January 30, 2014