Janie Tartsah

Janie Marie Tartsah, a loving mother, figure to thousands, a Blessing to many, and a friend to all- went to be with the Lord on the evening of August 30th, 2020, at her home in Anadarko, OK, encompassed by her loving family. She was 83.
Born September 4th, 1936 in Binger, Oklahoma, to John Wesley & Agnes Wilson Smith. Janie was a member of the Caddo Tribe of Oklahoma.
Janie graduated from Binger High School in 1954, where she loved to play basketball and softball. She then went on to live with her sisters in Oklahoma City right out of high school, where she began her career working at the State Capital Building. While working in downtown Oklahoma City Janie was introduced to Douglas "Jim Brown" Tartsah, whom she would soon fall in love with and marry on Sept 1, 1955. Janie's career led her to Chickasha, OK working in the records division where she would start to build her family. After a brief hiatus from work, and being busy with raising her family, Janie decided to enter the workforce again.
Janie would begin working at Riverside Indian School in 1973, where she devoted 46 years of her life to strengthening the lives of other young natives. Over the span of nearly half a century, Janie had profoundly touched thousands of Riverside Indian School students lives while serving as Dormitory Manager. Students came from all over the nation to attend Riverside Indian School, and they say passing through the care of Ms. Tartsah was a blessing. She focused on improving the quality of life of her students by teaching them empowering life skills and self-sufficiency ideals. Ms Tartsah loved to devote extra time to decorating her rooms, she id this to make her kids feel comfortable and loved. Ms. Tartsah enjoyed incentivizing her students in order to keep school work a priority. Within the walls of the dormitory, the students knew they had a caring dorm mother, and many held her as their own grandmother. In Ms. Tartsah's final year of service at Riverside Indian School, Janie had perfect attendance, yet another example of her dedication to her students.
One unique story on Janie's medical journey involved an encounter with a nurse at a local heart hospital a few years back. Janie was sitting up in the bed and her nurse had just stopped in, the RN did a double take and said "MS. TARTSAH IS THAT YOU?!", Janie recalled the girl's name, they hugged. The nurse went on to say that if it hadn't been for Ms. Tartsah and her inspiration throughout school, she would probably not have become a nurse.
Janie retired from Riverside Indian School on October 31st, 2016, she had retired for 4 years.
In 2018, Janie was awarded and received the AARP Honors Elders Award for her stewardship while employed at Riverside Indian Schools. She was excited to hear of the news and she was even more thrilled with the event itself.
Janie enjoyed watching her family at various sporting events, traveling, visiting with friends and loved ones, she loved to shop and garage sale, ... there's one thing about Janie she just loved life, she sure did cherish it.
Janie was preceded in death by her husband Douglas "Jim Brown" Tartsah; parents John Wesley Smith & Agnes (Wilson) Smith; brothers, Andy, Dale, Jackie, Johnnie, Wesley, Lloyd, Alvin, Paul, Chiefy; sisters, Cassey, Millie, Lillie, Bertha, Nadine & Bonnie and her baby son.
Janie was survived by her four children: Kevin & Garrell Moore of Pendleton, OR; Carolyn & Adrian Sierra of Anadarko, OK; Douglas Brock & Dora Tartsah of Kayenta, AZ and Theron & Tina Tartsah of Anadarko, OK. 11 grandchildren: Rochelle & Trevor Helfrecht, Telles Nelson, James Nelson, Douglas Moore, Cara & Michael Cantu, Jared Tartsah, Daryl Sierra, Jemma Tartsah, Kayla Tartsah, Corey Tartsah, and Lisa Tartsah. 16 great grandchildren. 2 Brothers: Alan & Betty Smith, Darrell & Lana Smith.
2 sisters: Mary Lou Villanueva, Louise Green; and a host of many other relatives and friends.
The family welcomes you to celebrate Janie's life at a viewing from 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2nd, 2020 at Ray & Martha's Funeral Home located at 1115 S. Mission St, Anadarko, OK 73005. Funeral will be 2:00 p. m. Thursday, Sept. 3rd, 2020 at First Baptist Church located at 700 W. Petree Rd, Anadarko, OK. Interment will be at KCA (Ware's) Cemetery, Hog Creek, OK.
The family wishes to thank Lifeline Home Health, Lifeline Hospice, Anadarko Emergency Services, Anadarko Indian Health Clinic and many others that assisted in the compassionate care for Janie.