IN LOVING MEMORY OF VELMA WALKER (Ameha)
April 12, 1934 – December 8, 2016
Velma was born 83 years ago in a log cabin along the Rosebud Creek that her father built for his family. Grandmothers Annie Black Bird (Stan Lame Woman) and Margaret Rising Sun (Willis American Horse) assisted in bringing her into this world. She was born to Sam Lame Woman and Laura American Horse and was the firstborn grandchild to both Suhdaee’ grandmothers. Lack of employment and her father’s fear of thunder led his family to Omak, Washington where thunder-storms are unheard of. Her aunt Jessie followed with her family. Cousin-sister Judith was seven (7) years younger and remembers her first day of school. She spoke only Cheyenne and didn’t understand what was being said. She couldn’t stop crying. Velma was in the upper grades. When the teacher realized she spoke English she brought Velma into her classroom to calm Judy down. This went on for a few weeks. Velma was her interpreter in the classroom. This was the day her mother said, “No more talking Cheyenne.” Judy fondly remembers how she and her cousins looked up to Velma. She was so pretty and dressed really well. They wanted to be like her. Velma and her mother later left Omak to come home where she experienced the unconditional love of her grandmothers the link to our tribal past. Velma married Sam Walker Sr. They later divorced. She received her education at the Tongue River Boarding School in Busby and later worked as a teacher aide and cooks helper. She excelled at beadwork and never gave up speaking the Cheyenne language to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. Her beadwork reflects the traditional way of life the elders refuse to let go. Her journey to the next camp (where all the relatives dwell) began on December 8, 2016 at the St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, Mt. after succumbing to respiratory failure.
Velma’s sons: Sam (Kameron, Shyrin, Vivianne), Charles (Shirley, babyboy, Charles Jr.), Jesse Mascarena, Melbourne (Jayna, James, Choelena, Daniel), Rueben (Jessie, Jericho, Andi); daughters: Sandra (Stanley, Linda, Hawk, Linnea, Daniel, Bethany, Jo, babyson, Calvin, Malaysha, Natalie, Calvin Jr., Annabelle, Delray), Laura, Shirley, Penny (Derek, Jennifer), Tammy (Steven, Ayla), Audrey (Armund, Alexis, Alex, Ronota, Reisa, Lyle, Riley, Jasmine), Neela (Blaine, Megan, Rainy), Suzanne & sons. Unconditional love was handed down to the next generations. Sisters/cousin sisters and their families: brothers/ cousin brothers and their families; uncles/aunts and their families; Special aunts: Jeanie Strange Owl, Jessie Copenhaver, Mary Looksbehind; Julia Round Stone; Uncles: Ben Bearchum, Austin Two Moons Sr., Ernest American Horse; sisters: Judith and Ellen; brothers: Edward Sandcrane, Kenneth Looks Behind, and Benji Bearchum; nieces: Denise, Laureen, and Brooke; friends Irene Bearquiver, Francis Swallow and their families; all Medical teams that assisted in her care. Ne ya shim.
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 PM
Monday December 12, 2016
Christ The King Catholic Church
Busby , Montana 59016
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Tuesday December 13, 2016
White River Cheyenne Mennonite Church
Busby, Montana 59016
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 PM
Monday December 12, 2016
Christ The King Catholic Church
Busby , Montana 59016
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Tuesday December 13, 2016
White River Cheyenne Mennonite Church
Busby, Montana 59016
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Mrs. Lillie says
I’m sorry for the loss of your dear loved one, Velma, may you find comfort in the God of all comfort, Jehovah, (2 Corinthians 1:3,4) in his word, the bible, in Psalms 34:18: Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; He saves those who are crushed in spirit. God’s word, also says in Isaiah 25:8: He will swallow up death forever, And the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces..For Jehovah himself has spoken it.(Psalms 83:18; Titus 1:2) Isaiah 33:24; Revelation 21:3-5; / John 5:28,29; John 11;25,26; Acts 24:15. This is what God’s Kingdom under Jesus Christ rulership, will accomplish in the near future, for all those who love righteousness. The true God, also promises in his word, in Psalms 37:11,29: The meek will posses the earth, And they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace, 29: The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it. (Psalms 104:5; Psalms 115:16; Ecclesiastes 1;4; Job 33:25; Isaiah 35:5,6; Isaiah 65:21,22; Psalms 37:34. (New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures)
Lori & Troy Killsontop says
Our prayers are with the family of Velma. While growing up in Busby she was always good to us. Now she gets to see Shirley and Laura. Our prayers are with you all. Rest In Peace Velma.
elizabeth fisher says
Dolly , Tom and family…sorry to hear of Velmas passing. But I know that her and my mom are talking away in Cheyenne in the spirit world. She was my moms friend. They were the same age. She was also an awesome beader and made some beautiful moccasins for my 2 daughters. May Maheo comfort you knowing that she is no longer in pain.
Georgia Ann Burns says
My prayers to Velma’s family…prayers of comfort and strength!
Willow says
My Condolences and Prayers go my Aunt Velma’s Family , and the opportunity to see you at the St. Vincent Hospital.
T. Kelly says
My heartfelt condolences to the family on the loss of your loved one. May God Almighty, Father of tender mercies and all comfort continue to strengthen you all (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4). How eager we all are to see the fulfillment of Gods promise to completely remove death, tears, mourning, outcry and pain (Revelation 21:4). The Bible also provides assurance of the resurrection hope for our dead loved ones (John 5:25). May these promises from God bring you comfort.
Neela Walker says
Blessings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The years that have passed, since my mom, left this earth, have gone without, the heaviness upon, thine heart in remembrance, of initial heartache, and sadness, that iniquity wrought, upon she, we, her children, and grandchildren, and loved ones, at the circumstance surrounding her passing, only by His omnipotent Grace, Father Lord’s, did we sustain, what more abdomance, may have incurred, had we known, what His majestic Love, sheltered we from. Revelation is now occurring, only at Godspeed, that which is nor ourn, knowest mercy lies, in wait of Heaven’s eternal glory, may God have mercy, on those transparent, to the Law, here on His majestic earth, and in Kingdom come, her death is in lay, of Hobesa’s, etormatia, thousest love ye mom, mehoste
Neela Walker says
Always knowest, your grandson, Calvin adores ye, blessed is he, who washed your feet, fed ye, nursed ye in holy adominant, may YHWH clean, the scar caused, by the diviant of testaste, hopa