Mary Rose Mead

Mary Rose Secondine Mead, beloved mother, grandmother, community leader, and faithful servant, passed peacefully on June 11, 2026, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. She was born on October 26, 1939, in White Oak, Craig County, Oklahoma, to Edward Buck Secondine (Delaware) and Mamie Alice Carpenter (Cherokee, Loyal-Shawnee).

Mary’s Loyal Shawnee Indian name, Pelewawkawpawsi (a horse standing off), is a name that reflected strength, grace, and dignity throughout her life.

Raised in Oklahoma, Mary was proud of her Native heritage. She was Miss Pawnee Homecoming Princess as a teenager and in 1956, she was a contestant in the Miss Indian America Pageant, placing in the top three finalist. During this time, she met Dennis Alley, whom she later married.

Dennis was in the Marines and Mary and their daughter Denise, traveled abroad to be stationed in Morocco, Africa. During this time, she experienced the heartbreak loss of her infant son, Dennis Jr., who passed away and was lovingly brought home to be buried at the Red Rock Otoe-Missouria Tribal Cemetery. Mary’s second daughter Diane, was also born in Morrocco. They later moved back to Tulsa where her son David and daughter Delaine were born.

Later in life, Mary married Ray Vern Mead, an Army veteran, and they shared many years together in Oklahoma before his passing. He is buried in the Shawnee Cemetery.

Mary was the loving mother of Denise Alley (Gilbert, Arizona), Diane Alley and David Alley (Tahlequah, Oklahoma), Delaine Alley (White Oak, Oklahoma), and David and Daniel Mead (Tahlequah, Oklahoma). Her children and family remained the center of her life, and she loved them deeply.

Mary devoted more than 23 years of service to the Cherokee Nation, working in various departments and leaving a lasting impact on countless lives. One of her accomplishments was founding the Cherokee Nation VISTA Program, that promoted volunteerism and support to Cherokee communities utilizing college students from across the country.

In recognition of her tireless service and dedication, the Mary Mead Volunteer Award was established in 2014 upon her retirement. Still given annually today, the award honors a Cherokee Nation citizen who exemplifies service to the Cherokee community, continuing Mary’s legacy of generosity and compassion.

Faith was an important part of Mary’s life. She was a devoted member of the Secular Franciscan order, serving on a national level, and faithfully attended St. Brigid Catholic Church and served on the Women’s Guild. Her kindness and servant’s heart touched many people both within and beyond her community.

For the past four years, Mary made her home at Go Ye Village, where she formed treasured friendships and was deeply loved by those around her. She cared for others with sincerity and warmth, and in return, she was cherished by many.

Mary leaves behind 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, with two additional great-grandchildren expected this summer.

Mary Rose Secondine Mead will be remembered for her loving heart, devotion to family, service, and unwavering faith in the Lord by her family, relatives, friends and community members.

Her legacy lives on through the generations she nurtured, the communities she strengthened, and the countless lives she touched. She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever honored.

Visitation will be held at Reed-Culver Funeral Home on June 16, 2026 from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm, followed by the Rosary Service beginning at 6:00 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St Brigid Catholic Church on June 17, 2026 at 11:00 am with a Wake Services to follow at the Loyal Shawnee Community Building in Vinita at 6:00 pm.

She will be laid to rest on June 18, 2026 at 10:00 am at Lewis Shawnee Cemetery in Vinita.

Pallbearers will be Daniel Mead, David Mead, Sonny Hawk, Benjamin Anton, Ray Smith, and Donick Garfield, with honorary pallbearers The Order of the Secular Franciscans, David Alley, Don Greenfeather, Joxie Carpenter, John Daugherty, and Sonny Chivitty.