Graveside services for Bernice Poncho Polite, 89, of Livingston, Texas, will be held Thursday, July 31, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. in the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation Cemetery in Livingston, Texas. Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 30, 2014 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas.

Bernice was born June 7, 1925 in Livingston, Texas to parents, Mike Poncho and Ida (Johnson) Poncho, and passed away July 27, 2014 in Livingston, Texas. Bernice was also known as Ah'po and Ah'po Chuba to her family. She was a very proud mother and grandmother and a member of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe. There are 12 Clans of the tribe and she belongs to the Bear Clan. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends and was an influence to them all with her sense of humor, and personal stories and quotes she loved to tell.

Before her retirement, she was employed for many years with the Alabama-Coushatta Tribal Enterprise in various locations. In the complex or museum, when on a tour, she was one of the best frybread makers in the "Indian Village" and always gave an extra piece of frybread. Another job was one she enjoyed the most, which was becoming a pottery maker at the pottery plant. Before finishing her employment days, she worked alongside with the Ah'po's creating handmade quilts. After a hard day of work, she enjoyed many things such as collecting small trinkets, dolls, and baskets. She also loved gardening, beading, quilting, and cooking and often made sof-key at home. She always worked in and out of her home as there was always something to do. She managed to do all this before retirement and upon retirement she would enjoy her favorite rocking chair for hours or sitting on her porch before bedtime.

She touched not only her family but many other people in her life with her kindness. Although she was tiny, she gave everyone an amazing amount of courage and hope and reminded us all of the preciousness of life. She spent her life doing things for her family and she was always there for her children during their years of growing up. They praise her lifelong dedication to them which only increased when her grandchildren arrived and she did many things for them as well. Our loss is deep but we will always be comforted by the remembrance of her.

Mother and Grandmother will always be loved and fondly remembered by her family.

She is preceded in death by her parents; companion, Roscoe D. Stafford; sisters, Ruby Thompson and Wilma Williams; sons, Frank Paul Polite and Ervin "Mussie" Polite; grandchildren, Gervin Polite and Frank Charles Polite; great grandchildren, LaSonna Williams, LaDonna Williams, and Priscilla Polite.

She is survived by her son, Baxter Polite of Livingston, Texas; son, Ardie Polite and Maxine of Livingston, Texas; daughter, Laberta Williams of Livingston, Texas; the AH-PO's: Doris B. and Kathleen B.; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers: Daniel Williams, Armand Polite, Brandon Polite, Delvin Polite, Nathan Williams, Lendrick Polite.

Honorary Pallbearers: Brad Bullock, Clay Polite, Ashton Polite, Cedric Polite, Lonnie Willaims, Curtis Williams.

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh.com .