Linda Lou Ponkilla-Deere

Linda Lou Ponkilla-Deere went to her eternal home on June 13, 2021 in Shawnee, OK. She was born February 11, 1937 in Cromwell, OK to Jessie and Mord Deere (Harjo). She graduated from Chilocco Boarding School.

She married Chester Lee Ponkilla and they had six children together. She was a loving wife and devoted mother through hard times who overcame all odds to raise a family of six.

Linda’s hobbies included sewing, writing, babysitting, cooking, baking, and bible studies. She was an avid sports fan and loved to watch college sports, NBA, and the NFL.

Linda was a member of the Police Association, the Sheriff Association, and the Fireman Association. She attended various churches, but she always kept faith in the Holy Bible of King James and enjoyed her bible studies.

Her proudest moment was getting to watch her grandchildren and great-grandchildren graduate!

Linda played the role of mother to all she could, even her children’s friends as the years went by. She hung in there to her last breath. Linda was a tough mother and tough old lady. All the neighborhood children loved her cooking, especially the fried chicken she made. There were some she did not get to say farewell to before she parted ways.

She was cherished by her daughter Kathy L. Ponkilla and husband Johnson of Shawnee, OK; son Carl W. Ponkilla of Shawee, OK; daughter Carol A. Ponkilla of Shawnee, OK; son Baby Boy Ponkilla of Shawnee, OK; son Edmond L. Ponkilla of Shawnee, OK; daughter Lena L. Ponkilla-Villalobos and husband Jaime of Shawnee, OK; brother Judson Deere and wife Nancy; sister Lora Deere of Cromwell, OK; sister Hannah Deere of Cromwell, OK; sister Flora Deere of Cromwell, OK; sister Shirley Deere-Johnson and husband Richard of Okmulghee, OK; grandchildren Rebecca, Darrell, Brent, Richard, Eric, Ashley, Marquitta, Rosa, Hector, Fernando, Gabriella, Enrique, Valentina, Francisco, and Constantina; many great-grandchilren, nieces and nephews. And her best friend Wilma Jackson. GOD BLESS ALL!