Elvita Jefferson

Elvita Louise Pratt Jefferson passed peacefully from this life on July 3, 2025, at the age of 86, at St. John's Hospital in Tulsa, surrounded by loved ones.

She was born on May 3, 1939, in Pawhuska City Hospital to parents Vina Marie (Washington) and George Pratt, Sr. Her paternal grandparents were Henry and Josephine (Chouteau) Pratt, both of whom were of Osage descent. Her maternal grandparents were Walter Wahington (Absentee Shawnee and Creek) and Minnie (Thorpe) Rider (Sac and Fox). Her great-uncle is Jim Thorpe, an Olympic Athlete.

Elvita, nicknamed "Sally," attended Sunset Country School, Hominy Public School, and Ursuline Academy, a Catholic Boarding School for girls in Paola, Kansas. She's of the Men of Mystery Clan, also known as the Thunder Clan. Sally married Thomas E Fugate (Osage and Kaw) in 1957 in Pawhuska. They had two daughters, Tammy and Tina. She later married Richard Rusk, Jr., and Omer (Sonny) Jefferson, Jr., both of whom are deceased.

Sally had a long career at Bessmers, Vandevers, and Mayo Furniture and was known for her impeccable style and being a classy dresser. She loved traveling with her family to many destinations abroad and in the States. She is survived by her two daughters, Tammy Fugate Baldauff and Tina Fugate Mendieta (Tony); grandchildren Somer Turley of Colorado Springs, Bridget Gibson (Adam) of Lincoln, Alabama, Benedict Baldauff of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Brice Baldauff (Victoria) of Amman, Jordan; Basil Baldauff (Brooke) of Houston, Texas; great grandchildren Angel Gutierrez of Colorado Springs, CO, Noah Mendieta-Olrich of Colorado Springs, CO, sister Marcelle (Judy)Maker of Colorado Springs, CO, nephew Cameron Pratt (Nicole) of Pawhuska, Oklahoma and many cousins, great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, brother Michael Sylvester Pratt, niece Jo Nell Pratt, granddaughter Chelsea Mendieta, and several half-siblings.

Rosary services will be at 7:00 pm Sunday at the Hominy Indian Village Chapel with the Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM Monday, July 7, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hominy with Fr. Ken Iheanacho as the officiant. Burial will follow in the A J Powell Memorial Cemetery, Hominy, followed by the traditional Indian meal at the Community building in the Indian Village. Services were entrusted to the Powell Funeral Home of Hominy. www.powellfuneralservice.com