Maheo came to take Viola “Tweety” Sooktis Washington, Taaxemeoo’e (Buffalo Wallowing Woman) home on March 4, 2013. Tweety was born on February 11, 1954 in Crow Agency to Elmer and Mable (Sooktis) Fighting Bear. Tweety attended school at St. Labre Indian Catholic School. After graduating from high school May 24, 1968 she worked as a secretary and numerous other jobs. Tweety married Isaac J. Washington Sr. on October 12, 1978. From this union they had 10 children and blessed with 17 grandchildren. Tweety was very active in the Birney and Lame Deer communities. She had a very big loving heart for her Cheyenne people and always helping in any way that she could. She loved her family very much and always made sure her grandchildren and children were taken care of, by cooking for them and seeing that they were comfortable and had the things they needed. Tweety loved all her grandchildren and would make it a point to spend time playing and laughing with them. She made numerous trips to Wyoming to see her grandchildren that lived there. Just to name a few, some of her hobbies were beading, gardening, arts & crafts, traveling , visiting family and teaching her grandchildren the Cheyenne language. She also took part in translating and spelling of Cheyenne words in the Cheyenne language dictionary. Tweety was one of the sweetest, most loving people and always put a smile on ones face. She knew just what to say when someone was going through hard times and would try to help anyway possible. Family of Tweety often called her the Rock and foundation of them all. She will be forever loved and cherished.
Viola is survived by her husband Isaac J. Washington Sr., Daughters: Kimberly J. Washington, Claudia Washington, Gayla Washington, Mabette Washington (Darwin Spoonhunter Jr.), Bethany Washington (Ronald J. Monroe Sr.), Kelsey Washington (Joseph Little), Amber Goudreaux. Sons; Alroy Washington, Cordell Washington, Isaac Washington Jr. (Crystalynn Shoulderblade), Kayle Washington (Jamay Ghostbear), Milan Goudreaux (Angelina Bearquiver), Dustin Goudreaux (Nikkita Shakespear). Sisters: Nancy Fighting Bear, Veta Fighting Bear (Joe Bear), Effie Beartrack, Myrna Burgess, Penelope Riveare, Henrietta Mann, Dorothy Jackman, Ruby Sooktis, Mary Grace Medicine Top. Brothers: Clifton Sooktis, Silas Big Left Hand, Perry Fighting Bear, Harvey Big Head Man. Grandchildren; (Cordell) Leandra, Cordell Jr., Charlie, Justus Washington, (Isaac) Baby Isaac Washington III, (Gayla) Brihanna Washington, (Maybette) Darwin “D3”, Jessalynn, Mariah, Donovan, Kyrie Spoonhunter, (Bethany) Tristan, Clifton, Ashton, Leo Monroe, (Kelsey) Kharlin Little, (Kayle) Zyrin Washington. Viola is survived by her aunts Ruby Rabideaux, June American Horse and Susie Cain.
Preceded in death by her mother, Mable (Sooktis) Fighting Bear and her step-father, Elmer Fighting Bear as well as her aunt and Uncle Raphael and Ruth (Sooktis) Big Left Hand who helped raised her. Also preceding are her cousins, Emma Jean Little Bear and Joann Sooktis, Alvin and Edwin Big Left and Andrew L. Sooktis, Frank Sooktis as well as her uncles Charles and Andrew Sooktis. Viola came from a close-knit family and she regarded her cousins as sisters and brothers as defined by the Cheyenne Kinship System.
Viola’s family background includes both the Northern and Southern Cheyenne families through her mother. Her Southern Cheyenne side of the family she is the great-grand-daughter of White Buffalo Calf Woman and Big White Man. On her Northern Cheyenne side of the family she is the great-daughter of Northern Cheyenne Chief American Horse and Flora American Horse. She is the granddaughter of Josphine American Horse Sooktis, (Northern Cheyenne) and Medicine Bird Sooktis (Southern Cheyenne). Because of her great-grandfather Chief American Horse Viola is a member of the Cheyenne Chief Family.
Her Northern Cheyenne Relatives: Big Left Hand, Sooktis, Young Bear, Little Coyote, American Horse, Teeth, Flying, Limber Hand, Wounded Eye, Russell, Red Woman, Red Neck, Medicine Bull, Elk Shoulder, Kills Night.
Her Southern Cheyenne Relatives: Mann, Standing Water, Twins, Hart, Running Water, Heap-Of-Birds, Parton, Rabideaux. Our family is large so if we forgot to mention someone we apologize.
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
6:00 p.m.
Friday March 8, 2013
Washington Family Residence
Birney, Montana
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Ann Knows His Gun & Family says
Deepest Condolences to Viola’s Family
Lynette Spang says
Prayers to the Washington family!!
William & Clarice Walksalong & Family says
May Maheo watch over each of you, prayers for you all. There are no words that I could say to you that could ease your pain. I do know that your mother, wife, sister and aunt is now safe in Maheo’s arms and no longer feels pain.
Florris & Kimberly Medicine Bull & Family says
Isaac, Crystal & Family, So sorry for your loss, Viola was a great lady and will greatly be missed. Send our prayers and condolences to you and your family.
DOROTHY SEMINOLE says
sending my condolences to the Fighting bears, Sooktis and Washington family’s and i want you all to know your all in my prayers, she was a great Women :(* sorry for your loss.
Ed Jones says
So sorry for your loss, my condolences to the family.
Destiny Biglefthand says
I miss you so much grandma.
I love you.
And I pray for a safe journey to the other side.
Please watch over us.
Joanie Abbott says
Isaac, Crystal & Family, Grieving hearts can be so fragile. Please take care of yours.
Ruth Costilla & Family says
To the family of Viola, I am so sorry for your loss. You all will be in my prayers and be strong, she is no longer suffering.
Ruthie Shoulderblade says
To Tweety’s children, losing your mother is one of the most difficult times in your life, the upside is you have gained a spirit helper, your mother will help you in your spritual growth, she has already given values through her actions and gentle talks with you. Your mother loved you very much, she always spoke about you and her grand children. Your mother was my friend, one of the greatest friends in my life, I love her as a sister and I miss her dearly. Tweety is now at peace and has the ability to continue to love you and help you in your daily lives. I pray for healing for your family.
Georgia Burns says
Tweety was always friendly and treated me with respect and Love. Ike prayers to you, your children and grand children. Prayers to all her family and loves ones. She was a one of a kind lady and may her spirit of caring and love live on in all of our souls. God Blessings for all of you!!!!
Wayne Leman says
Tweety was always so friendly. I’m glad I got to work with her in the late 1970’s when she was a secretary at the Bilingual Education program in Lame Deer. I share the sorrow of her family as she has gone to the other side.