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Clara Elizabeth Bowen Cunningham Obituary

Clara Elizabeth Bowen Cunningham, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma passed away on February 29, 2016 surrounded by her family. Clara was born on March 7, 1983 to Kelly Bowen and Amy Oldfield. Clara was raised at Possum Hollar in Osage County. She was a member of the Osage Nation and her tribal name was “Me Son” meaning White Sun. She attended First Lutheran Elementary School and graduated from Ponca City High School in 2001. Clara continued her education at the University of Oklahoma where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and her Master’s Degree in Social Work. She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. 

As a social worker Clara served hundreds of people working as an advocate for children in foster care, supporter of hospice patients and provided court testimony as a tribal expert witness. She was a member of the Oklahoma State Post Adjudication Review Board.   

Clara’s first love was her family. Clara made her family a priority and brought humor to every family event. She was known for wearing her OU t-shirts in a family full of OSU Cowboys fans. Clara enjoyed traveling with her mom and grandmother Frances and frequently met her dad, step-mom, sister and brother for family dinners. Clara’s greatest accomplishment was her son Emmett. Clara created a home for her son rooted in God, teaching him the importance of kindness. Each day Clara told Emmett “you’re the best” and he responded to her “no mommy, you’re the best”. Clara and Emmett faithfully attended Life Church.

Clara is survived by her son, Emmett Baird Cunningham of OKC; father, Kelly Bowen & wife Diana of Weleetka, OK; mother, Amy Oldfield and Wayne Ray Mitchell of Burbank, OK; sister, Kelsey Beth Bowen of OKC; brother, Tanner Frost Bowen of Weleetka, OK, Emmett’s father, Thad Cunningham and Emmett’s brother, Thaddaeus Cunningham of OKC; grandmother, Wanda “June” McMahan of Shawnee, OK and numerous other loving family and friends. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Harvey Bowen, Jr., Roy McMahan, Bill and Peggy Cline, William Baird and Frances Oldfield; aunt, Nancy McMahan and uncles, Bill Oldfield and Lee Oldfield.

A Celebration of Her Life will be held at 11:00 am Thursday March 3, 2016 at Life Church located at Walker and I-240 in Oklahoma City, OK. Services will be under the direction of John M. Ireland & Son Funeral Home and Chapel, Moore, Oklahoma. 

In lieu of flowers per Clara’s request please make donations to the trust fund of her son Emmett.  Contributions can be made to the Clara E. Cunningham Trust, 227 70 Road, Ponca City, OK 74604. 


By

Osage News


Original Publish Date: 2016-03-01 00:00:00

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  • Osage News Staff

    Stories that are not primarily written by an Osage News staff member will have a “Osage News” byline. These stories include press releases and other community content that was drafted by someone externally but reviewed and approved for publication by Osage News. As an independent news organization, we strive to report news and information with fairness and balance. While being the official news organization of the Osage Nation, we base our news judgements on our loyalties to our readers and Osage citizens, and we are not directly beholden to the Executive, Legislative, or Judicial branches of the Osage Nation.

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Osage News Staff
Osage News Staffhttps://osagenews.org
Stories that are not primarily written by an Osage News staff member will have a “Osage News” byline. These stories include press releases and other community content that was drafted by someone externally but reviewed and approved for publication by Osage News. As an independent news organization, we strive to report news and information with fairness and balance. While being the official news organization of the Osage Nation, we base our news judgements on our loyalties to our readers and Osage citizens, and we are not directly beholden to the Executive, Legislative, or Judicial branches of the Osage Nation.
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