Vivian Ann Poolaw

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Funeral Service at First Baptist Church, Walters, Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 1:00 p.m., Edward Eschiti officiating under the direction of Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home in Walters with interment in the Walters Cemetery. A prayer service will be held at Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home Chapel on Monday evening at 7:00 p.m.

Vivian Ann Poolaw was born to Moses Edward “Mose” Poolaw and Jennie Titchywy Poolaw on March 28, 1941 in Lawton, OK at the Kiowa Indian Hospital and departed this life in Walters, OK on April 11, 2025, at the age of 84 years and 14 days.

Vivian grew up at Walters, graduating from WHS in 1959 and attended college at Northeastern State University. She soon moved to California and eventually made her way to Washington D.C. and Virginia where she worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. On one occasion she rode the elevator with Lydon B. Johnson. Her image is forever documented in the archives of the Smithsonian Museum wearing Indian regalia. She returned to Walters and worked various jobs for several years before going to work at the Lawton Indian Hospital and retiring in 2015.

Vivian was a member of Brown Baptist Church south of Walters. She enjoyed square dancing and going to the casino. She could make $20 last until 5am on the penny slots with her lucky vibes and magical touch. She was always taking care of everybody else and stayed busy spoiling her nieces, nephews, and said “all the kids are like grandchildren.” With a generous heart she raised her nieces Jeannie Poolaw and Diana Poolaw Bell as her own.

She also enjoyed attending powwows at Sultan Park and loved family reunions. She had a true servant’s heart and was loved by all whose lives she ever touched. Born a Comanche and Kiowa she was a fierce and loyal Kiowa tribal member her entire life.

Though the months of her decline and in her final days she was lovingly cared for by Ryan Cox and his girlfriend, Kimberly Brister.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Jennie and Mose Poolaw; her brothers, Horace John Poolaw, Moses E. Poolaw Jr. and bonus brother Mickey Titchywy; sister Delores Sumner; and her beloved niece she raised, Jeanine Poolaw Collins.

She is survived by her sister, Goldie Phillips of Tulsa; many beloved nieces, nephews, Ryan Cox of Walters, Shayne White and Chelby of Walters, Echo Foster of Lawton, Ashton Foster of Walters, Journey Collins of Walters, Dora Poolaw of Duncan, Sheri Poolaw of Duncan, Diana Poolaw Bell & Damon Bell, Jessie, and Keaton Fowler all of Carson City, NV, Jacob Fowler of Marysville, WA, James Phillips and spouse Angela Purdom of Tulsa, Vivian Phillips and spouse Brian Jenkins of Tulsa, Cynthia & Bret Masterson of Seattle, WA, Rodney & Patti Sumner of Tahlequah, OK, Deeann Dickerson, Larry and Pam Sumner, Rosemary Sumner and their families; many cousins and friends.