Etta Johnson

Obituary of Etta McDonald Johnson

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Etta McDonald (Postoak) Johnson, age 95, passed away on Monday, January 27, 2025, in Ardmore Oklahoma. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, February 1, 2025, in The Chapel at Griffin ~ Hillcrest with Pastor Mike Gross officiating. Interment to follow in McAlister Cemetery, Carter County, Okla. Etta was born on December 28, 1929, to Sam Postoak and Bernice (Gillard) Postoak, in Carter County, Okla. Etta is an esteemed American Indian elder. She grew up during the Great Depression of the 1930s. As a little girl, she did not realize times were tough for many people because her mom and dad worked hard to do what had to be done, making the most of what they had. They taught Etta and her siblings the same family values. Her family grew their own fruits and vegetables, as well as raised cattle, hogs and chickens. They had plenty to eat and plenty to do. As a young girl, Etta would help cook the family meals but still had to milk three of their 29 cows. They pitched in to plant and reap corn and cotton. Her family worked together to live off the land and enjoyed family life together. When chores were done, the children played in the creek catching crawdads or chasing June bugs in the cow lot. Some evenings, the family gathered around the radio, which was powered by a car battery. Etta's father made a wind charger to recharge the car battery. The family might hear a Joe Louis boxing match or President Roosevelt's monthly address. In those days, there was no electricity or running water. There were wells on the land, so her family had to carry big buckets of water to the house. Etta and her sisters attended Bloomfield/Carter Seminary, an all-girls Indian school, from first through eighth grade. She continued her education at Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas. Upon graduating from high school, she took a two-year commercial business course at Haskell and graduated in 1951. After graduation, Elta worked for Fox Rig & Lumber Company in Ardmore as a secretary-bookkeeper. Etta married Leroy McDonald in 1951 in Gainesville, Texas. The couple moved to Texas, where she worked for the state tax division. Her marriage ended with Leroy in 1970. Later, she worked as a secretary, copywriter and editor for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and retired after 26 years. Etta Married Rudolph Johnson, Sr. in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 21, 1992. Etta was a member of Choctaw Council of Ardmore, Chickasaw senior center and Chairperson of The Board of Trustees for McAlister Baptist Church. Her hobbies included painting, pottery, Choctaw and Chickasaw languages and singing, photography and reading. She really enjoyed taking trips and making memories with her husband. Etta is proceeded in death by her parents, husband, Rudolph Johnson, Sr., and ex-husband, Leroy McDonald. brothers; John Postoak, Walter Postoak, Calvin Postoak, Ed Postoak, Jack Postoak, and Keith Postoak. Sisters; Martha Watson, Lucille Keith, Nora Birdshead, and Teresa Postoak. Etta is survived by her son, Robert McDonald, of Ardmore, grandson, Chris McDonald and wife, Candace, of Norman, Okla., and granddaughter, Kasie Burns of Dickson, Okla. great-grandson, Bandy Burns, great-granddaughter, Rowan McDonald, brother, Wayne Postoak, Sister, Barbara Postoak and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Gaylen Griffin, Josephe Griffin, Justin Smith, Clint Pletcher, Chase Pletcher, Conner Pletcher, and Sammy George Postoak. Honorary bearers will be Ken Postoak and Barry Taylor. Visitation will be from 6:00pm until 8:00pm, Friday, January 31, 2025, at Griffin ~ Hillcrest Funeral Home.
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Friday
31
January

Visitation

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Friday, January 31, 2025
Griffin~Hillcrest
1610 C St. SE
Ardmore, Oklahoma, United States
580-226-5556
Saturday
1
February

Funeral Sevices

2:00 pm
Saturday, February 1, 2025
The Chapel at Griffin~Hillcrest
1610 C St. SE
Ardmore, Oklahoma, United States
580-226-5556

Interment

McAlister Cemetery
D3265 Rd
Ardmore, Oklahoma, United States
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Etta Johnson

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Etta Johnson

1929 - 2025

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