Florence Marie (Flossie) Mathews was born on July 7th, 1930 to Pearl and Jake Whitecrow in
Miami, OK. She expired on February 27th, 2022 at her home surrounded by many loved ones
She gave a lifetime of service, which included education, tribal government aed philanthropy.
At a young age, Flossie started giving. She was found giving her time and helping others
throughout her life. Her giving was with her heart, but if you told her you would pay her back,
that was what she expected. She was always listening and taking everything in. Just talking
with her made your problems melt away like lemon drops. The number of people she has
reunited is countless.
She loved her family more than they know and made sure to tell them regularly. She made sure
they were each equally taken care of. If one person got 20 dollars, everyone got 20 dollars. She
rarely missed anything, ballgames, she was there, birthday parties, she was there, plays, front
row, always supporting whoever needed rooting for, she was everyones number one fan. Her
Grandchildren loved staying over at her house where she was always found offering healthy
snacks, apples with cheese, celery with cream cheese, or maybe a pickle and peanut
buttersandwich. They would play pente and watch Rikki Tikki Tavi. if they were real lucky they
got a trip to the Bear’s Den where she enjoyed her lake time.
She loved all of her friends, they were so dear to her. She called them or stopped by their place
on a regular basis. Her bestie (Snookie) was always getting scooped up to run and get a coke,
next thing you know it had been 8 hours and they still weren’t home, their kids would worry sick.
Snookie and Flossie took belly dancing when they were in their 50’s. She loved dancing and she
was so much fun to watch. Those who saw her really got treated to a great show.
Flossie traveled with all her Kids, grandkids and Great grandchildren. Whether it was Disney,
cruising, sitting on the beach or on a mountain somewhere she was enjoying herself. Just being
surrounded by family and friends made her heart happy. She wanted her family to see the most
beautiful place she had been: Hawaii. She treated 23 of her family just two month before her
passing.
Education was one of the most importing things to “mom”. She was always educating and
“may I make a suggestion”. She wanted people to pursue their education and wanted to help
make it affordable to our people. She was instrumental in the formationof ATEC (All Tribes
Education Consortium). She got her bachelor’s, master’s, and education specialist’s degrees
while raising 3 children with the help of her husband Willis. She taught school from kindergarten
to 6th grade, and was a counselor, for 35 years before retiring. She then went to Haskell Indian
Nations University to help college students obtain their education.
Flossie is survived by her children, Jerri Montgomery of Quapaw,OK, Jr and Beth Mathews of
Miami, OK, Perry and Lori Mathews of Grove, OK, 9 grandchildren, 11 great grandhchildren,
numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Flossie was preceded in death by her grandpartents Mary and Harry Crawfish, her mother Pearl
Crawfish Dukes, her father Jake Lester Whitecrow, her step father Leroy Dukes, her brother
Jake Whitecrow and grandson Seneca Blackelk Mathews.
Flossie loved her tribe and her people. She was on the Business Committee for many years
after her brother Jake talked her into running for office. She always wanted better for her tribe.
If you needed anything, ask Flossie. She was an awesome listener as well as a giver. She
gave of her time, her money, and all of her heart. We are all better people because we knew
her.
Celebration of Life Service will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at First Christian Church, Miami, OK. Ernest Martin will officiate. The family will receive friends at Flossie’s home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in Mom’s name to either the LeRoy and Pearl Dukes Memorial Scholarship, Jake Whitecrow Scholarship at NEO A&M Jr College, or to the Seneca Black Elk Mathews Scholarship at Oklahoma State University. Services have been placed in care of Paul Thomas Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Miami, OK. Online condolences may be made at www.paulthomasfuneralhomes.com.