Cecelia Stringfellow

Cecelia Cindy Bates Barrett Stringfellow, also known as Miss Buffalo passed away on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at the St John Medical Center in Tulsa at the age of fifty-seven years, one month and twenty-eight days.

Cindy was born January 15, 1950 in Booneville, Arkansas. She was the daughter of Clifford Barnes and Jean Marie Green. At an early age, Cindy moved with her family to Beverly Hills, California where she was raised and attended school.
While residing in California, Cindy had three beautiful children, Ronnie, Donnie and Stacy. She later moved her family to Claremore, Oklahoma where she raised her family and worked hard to provide for them.

In 1991, Cindy and her family moved to Osage, Oklahoma where she later married Carl Buffalo Stringfellow on June 17, 2000. The couple made their home in Osage and owned and operated the Buffalo Tavern. Buffalo and Cindy enjoyed attending motorcycle rallies, poker runs and benefits. The couple was very active in their community, helping children and people in need. They were known for their generosity to many organizations. Prior to Buffaloís tragic death as a result of injuries received in an automobile accident on February 16, 2005, they had been active as the organizers and chairpersons of the Cimarron Valley Toy Run for nearly sixteen years. The toy run benefited under privileged children in Pawnee County through the Department of Human Services. They operated the annual toy run with the help of their friends, BACA (Bikers against Child Abuse) and many other clubs, organizations and individuals. The first toy run resulted in the participation of twelve motorcycles and four cars and has continued to draw more and more riders; with nearly 200 participants annually. Cindy and Buffalo were also the organizers and sponsors of the annual Easter Egg Hunt in Osage.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Clifford Barnes and Jean Marie Mitze Green; her husband, Carl Buffalo Stringfellow; a son, Ronnie Bates; and her step-father, Lindy Green.

She is survived by her son, Donald Gonzales and his wife, Chris of Owasso, Oklahoma; daughter, Stacy Vaughn and her husband, Gaylen of Cleveland, Oklahoma; a sister, Margaret Ann ìBlondieî Bear of Claremore, Oklahoma; her grandchildren, Ashley Danielle Bates, Jessica Dawn Gonzales, Ronnie Dale Bates Johnson, Lucas Cole Vaughn, Caitlyn Ruby Leigh Vaughn and Donnie Gonzales, Jr.; a great-grandchild, Jazen Race; and many other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held at the Cleveland Public School's Event Center at 1:00 pm, Wednesday, March 21, 2007.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in memory of Cindy Stringfellow, % Cleveland Bank, 100 North Broadway, Cleveland, Ok 74020; all donations for the Cimarron Valley Toy Run, benefiting children through the Pawnee County Department of Human Services.