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Maxine Edwyna Cissel Horner was one of the first African American women to serve in the Oklahoma State Senate District 11, serving from 1986 to 2004, along with Vicki Miles-La- Grange. Horner held the position of Democratic Caucus Chair, as well as Chair of Business and Labor and Government Operations, and Vice-Chair of Adult Literacy. As Democratic Caucus chairwoman in the late 1990s she was a sponsor of the legislation creating the group now known as the Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission.
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Attorney and federal judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange, first woman U.S. Attorney in Oklahoma, was born in Oklahoma City on September 30, 1953, the daughter of educators. Selected for American Legion Auxiliary’s Girl State, Miles-LaGrange was prohibited from serving as governor at the national convention because of her race. This early experience with racism shaped her career and led to her fight for equality for all Americans. In 1974 Miles-LaGrange graduated from Vassar College and in from 1977 Howard University School of Law. She worked at the U.S. Department of Justice until her return to Oklahoma City in 1983. After working for the Oklahoma City district attorney’s office, she successfully ran for the Oklahoma Senate in 1986, becoming the first African American woman elected to that body. During her term Senator Miles-La- Grange fought for leg-islation to improve the welfare of both women and children.
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At age 16, Vicki Miles-LaGrange ’74 learn-ed a painful lesson about inequality. As she recounts, after being overwhelmingly elected by 416 peers as Governor of the 1970 Oklahoma Girls State, sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, she was denied the opportunity to represent Oklahoma in Washington, DC, because she was a “Negro.” The tradition had been that the Auxiliary selected the Governor and Lt. Governor to represent Oklahoma at Girls’ Nation in DC.
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Julia Francine Tiger passed away Thursday, February 18, 2021, at St John’s Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 60.
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Wanda Corinne Crawford Shanda Our precious Corinne danced into heaven February 18th from her home in Angier, NC at the age of 86. Awaiting her was the love of her life Jim, darling daughter Ginny, son Mike, beloved sisters Joy, Judy, Betty, dear brothers Jack, Tom, and Junior, her adored parents Laura and Leonard along with a host of many relatives. Corinne had a life filled with love and family. Joy flowed from heart as she cared, helped, and shared her life with the less fortunate. Marrying Jim, becoming “my bride” as he lovingly called her, brought them much deserved happiness as they traveled, moved, baked, helped, and loved life. Making her home in California for a while, earned them a chance at owning a restaurant. Working together side by side with her family was one of her fondest memories. Corinne spent her final years loved and cared for by her treasured son Steve, his wife Tracy, and great grandson Josh (now serving in the military in Germany) in Angier, NC. She is also survived by grandsons Chris (Jessica), Greg (Kirsten), and Bill (Sylvia); 10 great grandchildren; sister Mary (Jenny), brother Allen (Barbara), sister in law Helen; nephew David (Ladonna), along with many nieces and nephews who loved Aunt Keene dearly. Corinne was born April 19, 1934, raised, attended school at Lamar (but graduated from Moss), so it’s only fitting that she return “home” for her final resting place surrounded by family at Lamar Cemetery. Internment pending.
Read moreJohn Terry Eddington passed away Friday, February 5, 2021, at the VA Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at the age of 89.
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Billy William Jay passed away in Holdenville on Saturday, February 6, 2021, at the age of 73 years.
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