Etta Jean Conner

Etta Jean Conner, resident of Glenpool, OK, died on Thursday, September 27, 2018 in Tulsa, OK. She was 73 years old. Etta was born on March 31, 1945 in Dustin, OK to Mose and Bessie Wiley.

Etta attended Graham Public School and Weleetka Public School. She graduated from Weleekta High School with the class of 1963. She attended Haskell Institute in Lawrence, KS and graduated from the Business Department in 1965. She then went to work with the Bureau of Health Services Financial Management Branch in Silver Spring, Maryland. While working in Maryland, she met and married Rick Conner on May 31, 1966 in Washington, D.C. They had 2 children: daughter Sheila and son Richard. Although Rick and Etta later divorced, they remained lifelong friends.

Etta also went on to work with the Medical Services Branch Indian Health Service in Rockville, Maryland, the United Southeastern Tribes, Inc. in Sarasota, Florida, the Office of Tribal Affairs of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Special Assistant to the Principal Chief of the Muscogee Nation, the Social Services Administration of the Muscogee Nation, the American Heart Association in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, the City of Tulsa Department of City Development, Secretary to Deputy Director of the Indian Health Service in Rockville, Maryland and Executive Administrative Assistant for the Muscogee Nation Department of Health before retiring at age 63.

Etta loved going to the movies, enjoyed live music and could often be found following her favorite sports teams, especially her beloved Weleetka Outlaws, attending any game she could to cheer them on. In her youth, she excelled in basketball. As an adult when her health allowed her to, she continued to participate in recreational sports, playing in tournaments involving basketball, softball, tennis, bowling, and billiards.

She was preceeded in death by her parents; 6 brothers: Tommy Ray Wesley, Richard Wesley, Louis "Speedy" Wiley, Wilburn "Sonny" Wiley, Charles Wiley, and Keeper Wesley; 5 sisters: Nettie Wesley Scott, Leatrice Wiley Coachman, Eloise Wiley, Polly Ann Wiley, and Francis Wiley Miller.

She is survied by her 2 children: Richard Dutch Conner of Glenpool and Sheila Melson and her husband Leroy of Beggs; 5 Grandchildren: Erick Ryan Barnett of Glenpool, Sean Barnett of Stilwell, Robin Barnett of Glenpool, Samuel Melson of Beggs, and Benjamin Melson of Beggs; 2 great grandchildren: Peyton Schoonover of Glenpool and Kihekah Barnett of Glenpool.


Public Viewing will be at Solid Rock Baptist Church in Glenpool, Oklahoma on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at 4:00 PM and continue through the night with a Wake service to be held at 7:00 PM.

The funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 3, 2018, at 11:00 AM at Schaudt's Funeral Service Chapel in Glenpool, Oklahoma.