Tributes

Carole Yvonne Cornsilk Johnson, age 72, of Huntsville, Arkansas, passed away in her home on May 13, 2011. She was born March 23, 1939 at Huntsville to Dester Fred and Lorene Ogden Miller who preceded her in death. She and her parents and brother lived many places across the United States through the years before returning home to her native Arkansas that she loved so much. She attended William Jewel College in Liberty, Missouri and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She worked many jobs, mostly in the legal community as a bailiff and administrative assistant to judges in Olathe, Kansas and then as legal secretary with several attorneys. She retired as Office Manager for Fleetpride Truck Parts in Kansas City, Missouri. She was proud of her Native American heritage and her Cherokee name Cornsilk. She was a tribal member of the Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas where she currently served on the Tribal Council and had previously served as Deputhy Chief Speaker and Speaker of the Council. She also held the title of Beloved Woman in the tribe. She loved to give Cherokee presentations at schools and other places, dance, cook, grow flowers and play her wash board when she had the chance. She especially loved to tap dance which she started at the age of 3 or 4 and was thrilled to have tapped on stage in Kansas City with professional dancer Gregory Hines when she was in her 60's. One of her other notable passions was to pay tribute to military men, women and veterans, shaking their hands and thanking them for serving whenever she met them. She was member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Post #137 in Huntsville. Survivors include: her four children, Quentin Arthur Black Fox Martin II of Seattle, Washington, Vincent Fredrick Red Horse Martin of Arlington, Washington, Brett Anthony Blue Jay Martin of Belton, Missouri and Michelle Swift Water Martin of Discovery Bay, California; her brother Dester Fred Miller, Jr. and his wife, Barbara Jean Miller of Silver Lake, Indiana and her husband, Gary Wayne Pureheart Johnson of the home. She is also survived by grandchildren, Daniel Saeil Martin, Christina Miae Martin, Brandon Martin, Nathan Martin, Avery Karber and daughters-in-law, Jill Karber and Eun Joung Martin, cousins, Levon (Earl) Ogden and wife, Diane of Prairie Grove, Arkansas and Charles Floyd and wife Bev of Bowling Green, Kentucky along with several nieces, nephews and cousins. Graveside services will be held at 1:30 P. M. Thursday, May 19, at the Ogden Cemetery with Chief Kenn Grey Elk Descombes officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Brashears Funeral Home www.brashearsfuneralhome.net of Huntsville, Arkansas. Memorials may be made to The Northern Cherokee Nation of Missouri and Arkansas, Post Office Box 413, Cuba, Missouri 65453-0413 or American Legion Post #137, Post Office Box 481, Huntsville, Arkansas 72740-0481.

Tributes

Carole Yvonne Cornsilk Johnson

March 23, 1939 - May 13, 2011