Lena Tony

Tony Lee Lena, 45 year-old, Seminole resident passed from this life on Saturday, January 1, 2011 at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  He was born May 14, 1965 in Claremore, Oklahoma. Tony grew up in the home of his grandparents, Walter “Knoc-nee” and Stella (Barnett) Lena. Tony was always referred to as “Little Brother” by his aunts and uncles, Louie, Dean, Leon, Benny, Mark, Linda and Kaleetah. He graduated from New Lima High School in 1983 and went on to serve in the Army National Guard where he was stationed in Honduras during Desert Storm. When he returned to the United States he worked in construction.  Tony was also a proud member of the Seminole Nation and Creek blood – Tom Palmer Band.  He accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of the Indian Nation Baptist Church in Seminole he was baptized by his great uncle Rev. Bill Barnett. Survivors include his grandmother, Stella Lena of Seminole; his mother, Shirley L. McBride of Muskogee, Oklahoma; three daughters, Keiona Nicole Lena of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Ashley Tiger of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Tanna Lena of Shawnee, Oklahoma; seven brothers, Chebon L. Barnoski of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Ricky J. Barnoski of Muskogee, Oklahoma, Lance Barnoski of Muskogee, Oklahoma, Phillip Barnoski of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Jonathan Barnoski of Kansas, Oklahoma, Johnny Robinson of Holdenville, Oklahoma and William Johnson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and a host of other family and dear friends. His grandfather, Walter “Knoc-nee” Lena, precedes him in death. A wake service will be held at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Thursday, January 6, 2011 at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole, Oklahoma. Rev. Houston Tiger and Merle Berryhill will officiate the service.  Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Seminole with military honors. Casket Bearers will be: Wayne Pebworth, William Haynes, Ronnie Lewis, Cris Factor, Carlos Mitchell and Tyrone Jackson. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma. Funeral Information: January 6, 2011, 1:00 PM Swearingen Funeral Chapel located at 1001 N. Milt Phillips Ave., Seminole, OK 74868