Josephine Harjo

Josephine Mae (Yarbrough) Harjo, 91 year-old longtime Seminole resident passed from this life Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at Seminole Care and Rehabilitation Center in Seminole, Oklahoma.  She was born May 15, 1920 in Oklahoma to parents Albert Yarbrough and Betsy (Lena) Yarbrough. She married Wilson Harjo and he preceded her in death on June 8, 1971. Josephine worked as a nurse’s aid until her retirement at Pioneer Nursing Home in Seminole.  Following her retirement she enjoyed being a homemaker, being with family and visiting area Native American Churches. Survivors include sons; Stanford Harjo of Seminole, Oklahoma, Lucian Harjo of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Vincent Mike Harjo II of Seminole, Oklahoma; daughters, Lois Hicks of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Delores Haynes of Seminole, Oklahoma, Deborah Pennock of Seminole, Oklahoma, Cindy Mitchell of Seminole, Oklahoma, Sherry Harjo of Seminole, Oklahoma; one brother, James Yarbrough of Seminole, Oklahoma; one sister, Katherine Gibson of Konawa, Oklahoma; 32 grandchildren and a number of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other family and dear friends. Josephine is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wilson Harjo; three sons, Vincent Mike Harjo I, Frankie Tholocco, George Harjo; one sister, Stella Bender; 2 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 1, 2011 at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole, Oklahoma. Rev. David Little, and Rev. Abraham Jackson will officiate the service. A wake service is scheduled for Friday, September 30, 2011 at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Hitchitee Cemetery northeast of Seminole, Oklahoma. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma. Funeral Information: October 1, 2011, 2:00 PM Swearingen Funeral Chapel located at 1001 N. Milt Phillips Ave., Seminole, OK 74868