January 13, 2016
TULSA – Wilma Marie Whitaker, 77, passed away January 13, 2016, in Tulsa, OK. Wilma was born July 26, 1938, in Claremore, Oklahoma, to Cherie and Marcel Darling. She was a citizen of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, and of Cherokee descent.
Wilma was a graduate of Tulsa Central High and OSU Institute of Technology, and received a B.A. in Museum Studies from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Wilma was a talented watercolor artist. She loved to travel and her love of art took her all over the world making new friends. She was an active member of the Tulsa Indian Methodist Church. Wilma also was active in civic affairs: She was a member of the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission and the Oklahoma Arts Council.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years Don Whitaker, her parents, her daughter Willa Stephens, her grandson Anthony Whitaker, her sister Rochelle Robertson, and her sister Marcella Postoak.
She is survived by daughter Julia Ziegler and husband Danny, son Tony Whitaker, son Steve Whitaker, and son Phillip Whitaker and wife Lisa, 13 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, her brother Joe Darling of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in Kansas and sister Nedra Darling of Alexandra, VA.
Viewing will be 10:00 A.M. til 8:00 P.M., Sunday, January 17, 2016 at Moore’s Southlawn, 9350 E. 51st, Tulsa, OK. Service will be 10:00 A.M., Monday, January 18, 2016 at Moore’s Southlawn Chapel. Moore’s Southlawn 918-663-2233