Ernestine T. Mitchell

Shawnee, Oklahoma resident, Ernestine T. Mitchell passed away on June 16, 2025, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was born on October 9, 1938 in Pawnee at the Indian Hospital to Evelyn Tanyan and Edmond Tiger. She was raised by her grandparents, Sallie Davis Tanyan and Nina Tanyan in Seminole, OK. Her grandpa was a preacher, so she grew up in the church and going to camp meetings. Seminole was her first language, and she grew up singing her Seminole hymns. Ernestine stayed with her grandparents until she was able to go to school. Then she attended Strothers and Carter Seminary and then Chilocco where she met and married her first husband Gordon Roy. They had 4 boys and traveled because he had joined the Air Force. She lost two of her sons when they were teenagers. Even though it was rough and hard on her, her faith was strong and that got her through. That is how Ernestine was, she loved her Jesus and relied on her faith in all things. In 1982, she moved back home from North Dakota to help her son with his first child. She helped raise her grandkids. Ernestine loved Jesus and her family. She enjoyed sports and was a huge OU, Thunder and Golden State Warriors fan. While in North Dakota, Ernestine worked as recreations director for Minot Air Force Base. She later worked as manager of a bowling alley.

Ernestine is survived by her son, Michael Roy; grandchildren, Melissa Hubbard, Michael “Coogs” Dahlen, Candice Boyett, Gina Rivas, James Delray Roy, Joy Roy and Michael Roy; siblings, Ernest Tanyan of OKC, Christine King of New York and many other family and friends.

Ernestine was preceded in death by her parents, Evelyn Tanyan and Edmond Tiger and children, James Darrell Roy, Robert Roy and Delray Roy and her brother, Artemis Tanyan.

Viewing will be held on Friday, June 20 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday, June 21 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, June 22 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.at Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.

The funeral service will be Monday, June 23, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole, Oklahoma with Thomas Little officiating. Cremation will follow the service.

Arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.