Leola was born on June 8th, 1940 in Tahlequah, OK. She was the daughter of Leo Smith and Jennie Chunestudy-Pritchett. She attended Cave Springs Indian Day School in the Dry Creek Community and graduated Chilocco Indian School in New Kirk, OK. After graduating, she worked at Stilwell Canning Factory, Muskogee Floral, and Cherokee Nation Industries. Once her children were raised, she worked for many years as a File Clerk at the Cherokee Nation, until she retired. Leola enjoyed retirement by traveling, watching her favorite teams play basketball and football, reading, doing crosswords, and playing games on her tablet. The best part of any day was visiting with her family and friends. She was a loving and caring mother to eight children, Dora Dunn, Sandra Baker, Michael Baker, Todd Girdner, Tonya Tidwell, Tyson Girdner, Tawanna Bennett, and Alton Ben Girdner lll.
Leola is preceded in death by her grandparents, her mother and father, and her son, Michael.
Those left to cherish Leola’s memory are her children, a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and loved ones.
Graveside memorial services Friday, June 10th, 2022 at 2:00pm at Barber Cemetery with Pastor Ross Wolfe officiating. Honorary pallbearers for Leola include Anthony Pritchett, Michael Girdner, Doug Holt, Paul Brown and Johnny Perry.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.reedculver.com for the Girdner family.
