Anna Dale

Anna Dale was born on July 25, 1948 in Hulbert, OK the daughter of Martin and Esther (Smith) Welch. She was raised with five brothers and one sister, Key, Noah, Charley, Jimmy, Spade, and Verlita Sugar and husband Chris of Tahlequah, OK. She graduated from Hulbert High School in 1966 and soon met her husband, Steven Dale from Picher, OK. Steve Dale and Anna were married for 52 years on May 13, 1971 and raised two children together; Stephanie West married to Todd West of Hulbert, OK and Sonya Wynn married to Marty Wynn of Hulbert, OK. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren included: Ty and wife Shana West, Spencer, and Trey West; Cole and wife Katelyn McNeil, Gracie, and Daylee McNeil; Meg and Jered Wynn, great grandchildren Saylor and Theo West, Karter, and Blakely McNeil. Her nieces and nephews included: Scott Sapulpa, Ray Welch, John Welch, Justin Sugar, Joseph Welch, Jennifer Thompson, Janelle Welch, Chrissie and Summer Sugar, Lanette ORourke and Janette Welch, and numerous great nieces and nephews. Anna was preceded in death by her mother, father, brothers, Key, Noah, Charley, Jimmy Welch, and niece Janelle Welch.

Anna was an active member of the Native Praise Choir for 25 years and traveled to 16 states and out of the country to England, Ukraine, and NW Territory Canada. Anna was a full-blood Cherokee and the Native Praise Choir sang in multiple languages including Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Muskogee Creek Nation, and Seminole tribes. She loved her choir sisters dearly especially Esther Gee and Augusta “Gus” Smith and traveled many miles and sang many Gospel hymns.

Anna was the Girls in Action Missions Director for Cherokee Association WMU for four years which held camps for grades 1-6 and taught girls’ missionary work. She taught Vacation Bible School to children on mission trips and at the Western Oklahoma Indian Baptist Family camp for nine summers. Anna was the treasurer for the Keener Cemetery Committee and helped with meetings, bylaws, fundraising, and upkeep on the cemetery grounds. She took great pride in helping and advocating for her Native Ancestors.

Anna enjoyed spending time with her grandkids and was the best "Mema" any child could have ever wanted. She traveled on many vacations to the beach and cruises with her family and grandkids. Mema took her grandkids to Vacation Bible School, church camps, piano lessons, and Sunday school. She knew the importance of children learning about God and did her job as a grandmother in teaching how to serve God and live life to the fullest. Mema was not the kind of grandparent to cook whatever the grandkids wanted. Instead, she would take them to Braums (her favorite) or whatever restaurant the kids desired.

During Anna's illness, she needed extra help and Steve Dale cared for her every need. Steve Dale was very attentive and assisted her during all the doctor visits, dialysis, hospital stays, and caring for her at home. He was what Anna needed during her last few months of life.

Anna worked for the Cherokee Nation for many years as an aid for home visits. Her true job was mission work and caring for her grandkids. Anna was a member of Keener Baptist Church where she served many roles; song leader, treasurer, secretary, and teacher. She always had a smile on her face and greeted everyone she met. A true one-of-a-kind Mema, Mom, Aunt, Wife, Sister, and Friend.

A visitation for Anna will be held Tuesday, May 14, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Reed-Culver Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Reed-Culver Chapel with Pastor Sam Keener officiating and obituary reading by Brother Robert Hogner. Anna will be laid to rest in Keener Cemetery in Lost City.

Serving as pallbearers are Ty West, Spencer West, Cole McNeil, and Trey West. Honorary pallbearers include Ray Welch, Scott Sapulpa, Justin Sugar, John Welch and Joseph Welch.