Lenora Rosa Fields

Lenora Rosa Matin Fields passed away peacefully with her family by her side Sunday, November 8, 2015 at the age of 90 years, six months, and nineteen days.

Lenora was born April 20, 1925 in the Indian Village in Hominy, Oklahoma. She was the youngest of three daughters born to Walter and Helen Pratt Matin.

Lenora was raised in a traditional Osage home where she learned and observed Osage customs. She was an Osage first-language speaker who interpreted for her mother from early childhood. She participated in the Elonshkah dances and followed Native American Church practices, supporting her father, Walter Matin, leader of the Bug Creek Camp Fireplace.

Lenora's Osage name is Eh-Nah-Do-Op-Pe meaning The Only One To Look At and belonged to the Tsi-zho Wa-shta-ke Clan.

She was a descendant of prominant Osage families. Her paternal Great-grandfather was Wa-ti-an-ka who scouted the area of the Osage Reservation for the tribe's move from Kansas to Oklahoma in 1872. Her paternal grandparents were Mah-zeh-no-peh (Iron Necklace) and Hun-gah-we, Belle Big Elk. Her maternal grandparents were Nom-peh-wa-tha, Henry Pratt, and Hun-gah-we, Josephine Chouteau Pratt.

She began her education in first grade at Hominy's little rock schoolhouse. She graduated from Hominy High School in 1943. After graduation she joined the workforce to support the war effort, working as a government aircraft radio inspector. She worked in Chicago, St. Louis, as well as Omaha, Nebraska.

She later returned to Hominy and met the love of her life, John Alvin Fields. They united in marriage on June 22, 1949 in Barnsdall, Oklahoma. This past summer they celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary.

Lenora and John Alvin made their home west of Hominy, on her father's original allotment, where they raised their five children. The two have farmed and raised cattle on the family farm where they currently reside.

Lenora enjoyed all the holidays, decorating and cooking for her family. Her Thanksgiving turkey, dressing, and pumpkin pies were eveyone's favorites. She loved rock 'n roll music, especially Elvis, as well as opera and ballet. Lenora and John Alvin were horse racing fans, traveling to their favorite race tracks for many years.

Lenora had been a member of Hominy's Rebekah Lodge for many years, where she served as Noble Grand.

In addition to her parents, Lenora was preceded in death by her son Patrick Stanley Matin Fields, and sisters, Lucille Robedeaux and Marguerite Waller.

Survivors are her husband John Alvin of the home; four children, John Walter Fields of the home, Janis Carpenter of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Marsha Holding of Hominy, Oklahoma, and Stephanie Dobbins of Cleveland, Oklahoma; twelve grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren, and numerous other relatives and friends.

Services will be held at 10:00 am at the home of Marsha and David Holding. Burial will follow in the AJ Powell Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home. A traditional feast will follow the services in the Indian Village. Friends may share a memory with the family online at www.chapman-black.com.