Delores Poncho was a proud Dine’ (Navajo) who was adopted to the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas in 1969. She was born to Jack Woodie Sr. and Minnie Jean (Russell) Woodie, on December 2, 1944, in Winslow, Arizona who was of the Naasht’e’zhi Ta’chii’nii which means ‘Zuni red running into the water clan’ including Kinyaa’a’anii clan of the ‘Towering House People’. She married her Fort Sill High School sweetheart Roland Poncho and recently celebrated their 60-year anniversary. She went to her Heavenly home on September 30, 2025 at her residence in Livingston, Texas at the age of 80.
Delores was a respected educator in Arizona in the Arizona Indian School system and later moved back to Livingston, Texas where she worked as a Tribal Librarian from August 1991 until her retirement in February 2022. She loved working with the tribal community, especially the young children. Passionate about reading, she started the Summer Reading Program which has grown to be a popular program. She produced several plays such as the Texas Critters and the Alabama-Coushatta legends. In the early days, Delores was the Alabama-Coushatta Girl Scout leader in which her oldest daughter Cindi participated. Delores was also instrumental in the planning of the new learning center Iisa Aabáchilka which opened in May of this year.
She was also one of the earliest members to start the Alabama-Coushatta annual powwow held in June, which was started by founding members of the Tribe including her husband Roland, Jack and Lawrene Battise, Darlene Williams and Rosa Thompson to name a few. Delores also introduced the famous Indian taco to the committee and it has been sold at every powwow event to this day.
In the mid-1990s, she and her niece started the Cultural Committee to promote and preserve the proud culture of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe.
Delores is survived by her beloved husband Roland Poncho; daughters, Cindi Flores, Lori Battise and husband Roddy; special son, Aaron Flores; siblings, Barney Woodie, Linda Tsosie, Randy Woodie, Marylou Tewanema, Amelia Yazzie and Jack Woodie Jr., Lawrence Yellowhair, Lolita Sandoval, Theresa Todecheenie, Cheryl Tsosie, Virginia Begay, Nathanial Begay and Elaine Lester; grandchildren, Anthony Hernandez, Kristian Poncho and Faith Flores, Caleb Wilson and wife Selena Wilson and Krisalyn Lorin Flores; great-grandchildren, Gabriella Battise, Kynslee Hernandez, Braydon (Bubz) Hernandez, Skyler Annette Battise, Alani Hernandez, Kane Maxwell Poncho, Esaleah “Sissy” Hernandez and Avana Rose Poncho; her in-laws, Jennifer Poncho, Rodney Poncho, Melinda Sylestine and husband Don, Anna Lou Obe, Jackie Battise and Sylvia King; as well as many other loved ones and a host of friends.
Delores is preceded in death by her father, Jack Woodie Sr. and Willie Begay; mother, Minnie Jean Woodie; sons, Darrell Vaughn Poncho and Calvin Wilson; brother, Al Begay; sisters, Judy Phillips, Rachel Tamnie-Yazzie, Priscilla Puente and Jackie Cayedito; and sisters-in-law, Nellie Sylestine and Sharon Sue Morris.
Pallbearers will be Anthony Blake Williams, Sheldon Thompson, Kirk Sylestine, Dylan Walker, Chris Battise and Gregory Battise. Honorary pallbearers will be Dwayne Anderson, Cecilia Flores, Floyd Poncho, Chesson Williams, Baxter Polite and Shayne Yazzie.
A wake was held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at Indian Village Assembly of God Church in Livingston, Texas. A celebration of the life of Delores Poncho was held at 10 a.m., Friday, October 3, 2025 at Indian Village Assembly of God Church in Livingston, Texas with Pastor Keith Tucker officiating. Interment followed at the Indian Reservation Cemetery in Livingston, Texas.
Please leave online condolences at www.pacefuneral.com. 573
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