Obituary of Bernice Carol Alexander

Bernice Carol Alexander (Harjo) was born on May 8, 1939, in Holdenville, Oklahoma to Barney Harjo and Annie Cornell and was of the Sweet Potato clan of the Muscogee (Creek) and Seminole tribes. Bernice, given the nickname ‘shorty’, attended Eufaula Boarding school and later graduated from Chilocco Indian School where she studied Home Economics and was involved in the Journalism Club, Band, Student Council, the Honor Society, and F.H.A. At Chilocco she was nominated the “most friendly”. She went on to work at Modern Bindery in Tulsa, which she would go on to retire from. Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, Barney Harjo and Annie Cornell; grandparents, Willie Cornell and Ellen Tea; aunt, Lucy Kemble; her children, Jimmy Alexander Jr., LeAnn Alexander, and Jimmie Carol Dunn. She is survived by her son, Rick Alexander of Glenpool; grandchildren, Jerrod Baptiste of Pawhuska, Kristen Alexander of Seattle, Melanie Dunn of Sapulpa; great grandchildren, Jeralynn and Izabella Baptiste; as well as a host of nieces, cousins, and lifelong friends. Bernice enjoyed playing the piano, reading books, crossword puzzles, cooking, singing creek hymns, being around family, attending church, and helping others. She was a loving, caring, generous, and humble woman who was very loved and will be greatly missed.