Edith Knight

Edith Marie Knight, youngest daughter born to William Catcher and Lula (Jackson) Catcher, in the Piney Community of Adair County on December 6, 1939.
She attended her early school days in Oak Grove and Chalk Bluff schools and attended Stilwell High School where she graduated in 1957.
In 1958 she dated and married the love of her life, Owen Edward Knight and they made their home in England Hollow. She and Owen remained together for 58 years.
Throughout her life, she exemplified excellence in being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She taught her girls to cook, sew and how to work hard. If they started something, she was there to ensure they finished whatever they had started. Throughout her life and career she worked as a cook at Christie School, got her EMT certification. She and Owen worked as EMT ambulatory workers. She also worked at Stilwell Foods as a book keeper, a USDA inspector at Stilwell Foods, Quality Control at FACET, a supervisor at CNI and worked in the Finance office at Mayetta School.
She was interested in kids and helped with 4H work and attended ballgames to cheer students on. Also known for her excellent meals, she was known for her hot rolls and pies. She became known as the "Kanutchi Lady" from the O-Si- Yo TV and it tickled her when someone recognized her from the show.
She even tried her hand at politics, running for tribal council, and even though she didn't make the run offs, she became more active in tribal affairs. She began entering food in the Holiday Food Fair, and won several blue ribbons. As her grandchildren came along, she began making tear dresses, ribbon shirts. She was recognized and honored at the Cherokee National Holiday for her ability to make traditional Cherokee tear dresses and in 2015 was recognized for a Lifetime Achievement Award for Cultural Preservation.
She and Owen stayed busy enjoying retirement. They loved going to dances, flea markets and yard sales. She always encouraged people to learn about their heritage and honor traditional ways.
Edith was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Karen Kay (Knight) Sheats; a grandson, John Lance Kelley, brothers, Tem, Anderson and Floyd Catcher and sister, Carlene Ketcher.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years: Owen Knight. Daughters: Lesa Lynn Nichols and husband Amos of Sand Springs; Nikki Lynn Edwards and husband Zach of Oklahoma City, Diane Kelley and husband Dale of Stilwell, sister Zona Thurn of Stilwell. Son in law, Burce Sheats of Pryor; grandson, Brannon Bradley of Pryor; granddaughters, Dala Kelley of Tahlequah; Cheyandra Barton and Taelor Barton of Tulsa. Great grandsons; Zachary Edwards; Brett Edwards of Oklahoma City, and Jaden Bradley of Pryor. Great-granddaughters, Madysen and Kameryn Bradley of Pryor and Dylan Edwards of Oklahoma City. Also an adopted daughters, June Maher and Brenda Doyle Stephenson and granddaughter Shawna Ellis. Also a host of other relatives and many friends.
She wanted to be remembered by her family and all who knew her, that she was a giving and loving person and that was all she could ever want.
Funeral service held at 1 pm on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at Roberts/Reed-Culver Chapel, Stilwell, OK with Bro. Darrell Lacie officiating. Interment followed at Stilwell City Cemetery, Stilwell, Oklahoma