Elizabeth West Townsend, Okmulgee, died July 30, 2021 at her home at the age of 82. She was born June 29, 1939, at Claremore Indian hospital in Claremore, the daughter of Sallie Spaniard Gouge and stepdaughter of Albert Alley Gouge. She grew up in the Hanna area and attended school at the old Trenton Church and Eufaula boarding school.
Elizabeth fondly known as “Liz” was of the Deer Clan and Weogufkee Tribal Town and was a member of Wainwright First Baptist Church. Liz moved to Okmulgee in 1977.
Liz was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Sallie Spaniard Gouge, brothers Earnest, Wilford, Wilbur and William Gouge, sisters, Peggy DeeAnn Gouge, and Nancy Gouge Deere, nephews Stephen Albert Gouge, Michael B. Wood and Delsin Gouge and one grandson Kiah Fyecv Smith.
She is survived by her sisters: Kristine Gouge of Houston Tex., Helen Gouge of Wetumka, Evelyn Wood of Okmulgee; three daughters: Cynthia Smith and Husband Mike, and children Autumn and Elias of Morris, Anne Townsend-Edwards and son Chiler of Glenpool, and Johnna Criner and husband Clint and daughter Emree of Twin Hills; grandaughter Lyndsey Reyes and Husband Anthony, and children Toni, Malia and Mateo of the home in Okmulgee and a host of family and friends.
View and visitationwill beTuesday, Aug. 3, 2021 from 4 until 6 p.m. at Integrity Funeral Service in Henryetta. A wake service will be held from 6 until 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021 at 2 p.m. at the Weogufkee Indian Baptist Church in Hanna with Pastor Kevin Wadsworth and Reverend Jesse Bible officiating. Burial will follow the service at the Soloman Family Cemetery in Hanna.
Serving as casket bearers will be Matt Harley, Nocv Francis, Raymond Francis, Jeff Smith, Leonard Gouge and Charles Harley. Honorary casket bearers will be Mateo Reyes, Chiler Edwards and Elias Smith.
Services are under the direction of Integrity Funeral Service, 410 East Trudgeon, Henryetta, Oklahoma.