Bertha Louise (Jones) Tilkens

Bertha Louise (Jones) Tilkens, 87, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma resident and former Seminole County resident, passed away, Friday, February 23, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Bertha was born on October 24, 1936 in Konawa, Oklahoma to Thomas Jones and Linda Gibbs Alexander. Bertha grew up in Seminole County and later moved to Shawnee, Oklahoma where she graduated from Shawnee High School in 1955. Bertha enjoyed sewing, quilting and patchwork.

Bertha served her country in the United States Navy for 2 years. She worked many years for the State of Oklahoma as an accountant. Bertha co-authored Mvskoke-Creek language books and used to teach at the University of Oklahoma. She established and was the first Director of the Community Health Program of the Seminole Nation. She was the Senior Miss from 2009-2010.

Bertha leaves to cherish her memories her son Gary Tilkens and his wife Valerie of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and her daughter Anna Cooper of Suisun City, California. Her three brothers Thomas F. Jones of Seminole, Oklahoma, Paul Alexander and his wife Sue of Tecumseh, Oklahoma and Marvin Alexander of Shawnee, Oklahoma and nine grandchildren.

Bertha was preceded in death by her parents Thomas Jones and Linda Gibbs Alexander, her son Burt Tilkens, her sisters; Bonnie Gibson and Geneva Jones, her brothers Raymond Alexander and David Alexander.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at the Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole, Oklahoma, with Cheban Kernell officiating. Burial will follow at the Jones Family Cemetery in Northeast Seminole County.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.