The world lost a shining presence on April 9, 2024, when Jociline “Jody” (Jackson) Hawzipta of Tokeland, WA died at the age of 95 following a fall.
Born in Anadarko, Oklahoma in 1928, Jody was a proud member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma. The Great Depression and the Dust Bowl forced Jody’s family to migrate to fertile Bakersfield, CA when Jody was a toddler. Following the death of their mother from tuberculosis at the Phoenix Indian Sanatorium, Jody and her brothers were sent to Stewart Indian School in Carson City. For 10 years they were the only citizens of the Kiowa nation at the school.
At Stewart, Jody and her brother Ronald formed dear friendships with Sally (Kaye) Melendez, Norman Snooks, Geraldine Smokey, Julia (Domingues) Parker, and Earl Dunn. Following graduation, Jody married classmate Romaine Smokey, Sr.
Jody was blessed with a large and loving family. Survivors include her partner Kelly Knight of Tokeland, WA; grandchildren Rollin and Romaine Smokey III of Gardnerville, Jenny Smokey of Washoe Valley, Sadie Jo Smokey-Crews of Phoenix, AZ; Trina Ternes, James, Bobbi, Ricky, and Kenny Dunne, and Brandon Smokey of Washington state.
Jody has been reunited in love with her children Romaine, Linda, Charles, and Leonard Smokey, and Richard Dunne, Jr., her parents Albert Hawzipta Jackson, Sr., Bessie (Taylor) Jackson, brothers Ronald and Albert Jackson, Jr., and sister Roberta Ruth (Hawzipta) Attocknie.
A Celebration of Life was held in Seattle, WA.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions in honor of Jody Hawzipta to Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum, 1 Jacobsen Way, Carson City, NV, 89701 (775) 687-7608