Vivian Poolaw, 84

Walters, OK

Funeral service for Vivian Poolaw will be held at First Baptist Church, Walters, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., with Edward Eschiti officiating under the direction of Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home. Interment will follow 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 in Walters, graduating from WHS in 1959 and attending college at Northeastern State University. She later moved to California and eventually to Washington, D.C., and Virginia, where she worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. On one occasion, she rode the elevator with Lyndon 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 before joining the Lawton Indian Hospital, where she retired in 2015. Vivian was a member of Brown Baptist Church south of Walters. She enjoyed square dancing and going to the casino, where she was known for making $20 last until 5 a.m. on the penny slots with her lucky vibes and magical touch.

Vivian was known for her generous heart, always taking care of others and spoiling her nieces and nephews, often saying, “all the kids are like grandchildren.” She raised her nieces Jeannie Poolaw and Diana Poolaw Bell as her own. She enjoyed attending powwows at Sultan Park and cherished family reunions. She had a servant’s heart and was deeply loved by all who knew her.

Born a Comanche and Kiowa, Vivian was a fierce and loyal Kiowa tribal member her entire life. During her final days, she was lovingly cared for by Ryan Cox and his girlfriend, Kimberly Brister.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jennie and Mose Poolaw; 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.

Survivors include her sister, Goldie Phillips of Tulsa; beloved nieces and 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 and Sheri Poolaw of Duncan, Diana Poolaw Bell and Damon Bell, Jessie, and Keaton Fowler 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 and Bret Masterson of Seattle, WA, Rodney and Patti Sumner of Tahlequah, OK, Deeann Dickerson, Larry and Pam Sumner, Rosemary Sumner and their families; along with many cousins and friends.