Walking On -- Shirley Snell, Norma Billings & Vicki Long

 Shirley Mae Snell

June 27, 1935 - Sept. 25, 2014

Tribal Elder Shirley Mae Snell, 79, of Batesville, Ark., walked on on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014, in Batesville.

She was born June 27, 1935, in Flint, Mich., to Fred Allen and Marie LaChance Allen. She was a preschool director for many years and later returned to school and became a nurse.

Shirley dedicated her life to God, her family, loving her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and is most remembered as someone who put all others before herself. Shirley was proud of her Native American heritage and belonging to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.

She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, sewing and reading. She enjoyed classic TV and movies. She had a special love for teaching children and caring for seniors.

She was a very devoted mother and grandmother, and lived her life serving God and others. She was a faithful and loving, spiritual and prayerful woman who made an impact on the many lives she touched.

Survivors include her three daughters, Jamie Smallwood of Batesville, Tracy Schwarz of New Braunsfels, Texas, and Andrea Singleton of McMinnville, Ore.; a brother, Eddie Allen of Flint, Mich.; five grandchildren, Candena Fuller, Stephanie Rosas, Christopher Dickie, Josh Gamel and Jennifer Dickie; and four great-grandchildren, Nathan Rosas, BreKalyn Gamel, Adelynn Dickie and Hadley Fuller.

She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant daughter, Michelle Smallwood; her first husband, James Smallwood; five sisters, Deloris Good, Jean Bedard, Dorothy Allen, Mary Sims and Ann Spohn; and three brothers, James Spohn, Robert Allen and Richard Allen.

Services were held Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Willis Funeral Service in Batesville. Interment followed in Barnes Cemetery. Pallbearers were Josh Gamel, Christopher Dickie, Paulina Rosas, Dennis Fuller, Steve Singleton and Justin Withrow.

Arrangements were by Willis Funeral Service of Batesville. www.willisfs.com.

Norma Jean Billings

July 3, 1944 - Sept. 29, 2014

Tribal Elder Norma Jean Billings of Grand Ronde walked on on Sept. 29, 2014, at the age of 70.

She was born in McMinnville, Ore., on July 3, 1944, to Jasper and Blanche (Ford) Lillard. Norma was a lifetime resident of Oregon. She graduated from Willamina High School and later, on Sept. 22, 1973, she married Alvin Billings in Willamina. He preceded her in death in 2003. For a time she worked at Corridor Café in Grand Ronde as a waitress before moving to Lincoln City, where she and Alvin managed the Wycliff Motel. Eventually, they moved back to Willamina, where she enjoyed her role as a homemaker/caregiver.

After her husband's death, she moved to Grand Ronde and became part of the community. Norma had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Her hobbies included road trips, camping at Fort Stevens, going to the beach, clothes shopping and, most importantly, she loved spending time with her family.

She is survived by her children, Tammy Childs and Eddie Feack; brothers, John Lillard and Phil Warren; sister, Vonnie Merrow; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jasper and Blanche Lillard; sisters, Donna Casey, Shirley Flansberg and Ruthie Cooper; and brother-in-law, David Billings.

A memorial service was held at the Grand Ronde gym on Saturday, Oct. 4. Contributions can be made to the National Parkinson Foundation in her memory.

Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center cared for the family.

Vicki Patricia Long

Feb. 27, 1943 - Sept. 28, 2014

Tribal Elder Vicki Patricia Long was born Feb. 27, 1943, to Harris and Valoris Reibach and walked on on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, surrounded by her large family. She grew up in Grand Ronde and southwest Portland.

She was the eldest of three children, a wonderful and caring big sister to her brothers, Jan and Michael. Vicki was proud of her Native American, Austrian and Jewish ancestry. She was a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.

She became a mother at a young age and spent her life raising her six daughters in a most loving home. Somehow, she always had time to make everyone feel loved, unique and special. She was an incredibly generous and forgiving person. Vicki was known to keep an impeccable home and garden, always making sure all shoes were removed before entering the house. All of the girls' friends thought of Vicki as their own mother. She had a knack for quick wit and inappropriate jokes that could make anyone laugh. Right up until the end, she had us all laughing and rejoicing in her unbreakable spirit. Her spirituality and faith in Jesus carried her through a colorful life of many challenges and changes.

She loved her family, gardening, storytelling, her kitties, her malamutes in Heaven, her pet raccoons and making people laugh. Vicki could strike up a conversation with any stranger and have an instant friend.

We will miss this amazing, strong woman who taught us all there is know about life and living.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father; stepmother, Carol Odom; father to her children, William Long; brother, Michael Reibach; daughter, Pamela Fay Sheker; and beloved grandson, Samuel Isaac Elkins.

She is survived by her longtime partner, BK Bullock; daughters, Dawn Peterson (Brad), Valerie Sheker Tovey (Dave), Illauna Long (Ronnie Johnson), Marjorie Long and Nikki Elkins (Ray); 11 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and an abundance of lives touched by this incredible lady. We love you a bushel and a peck.

A private burial next to Sam Elkins was held Friday, Oct. 3, in Lincoln Memorial Park. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.