Funeral services for Christene Marie Poncho, 80, of Livingston, Texas will be held Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Livingston, Texas with Brenda Battise officiating. Interment will follow at Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation Cemetery in Livingston. Visitation will take place Friday, April 25, 2025, from 5:00-8:0 p.m., at the funeral home.

Christene was born August 8, 1944 in Livingston, Texas and passed away April 23, 2025 in warmth of her own home. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest Drew Thompson and Nettie Caroline Battise; sister, Rebecca Thompson, Etta Mae Abbey, and Beatrice Thompson Martinez; brothers, Everette Thompson, Harris Thompson, and Maurice Thompson; brother-in-law, Sidney Poncho; and sister-in-law, Laverne Rivera.

She was an employee of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe for nearly 40 years. She worked at the Tribal Enterprise at the Inn of the Twelve Clans Restaurant and served as a head cook at the Head Start Program for 28 years before her retirement in 2010. After retirement, Christene returned to work as the head cook for the Tribal Day Care Center.

She is survived by her husband, James "Cody" Poncho; sons, Eldon Keith Poncho and Justin Poncho and wife Jennifer; daughter, Waynne Poncho and husband Floyd; grandchildren, Drew Poncho, Morgan Poncho, Taylor Thompson and partner Clarisa; great grandchildren, Parker, Sophia, Graciela, Gunner, Hunter, and Cooper; sister, Diane Thompson; brother, Vernon Poncho and wife Geroldine; brothers-in-law, Adrian Poncho and Marcel Poncho; and sisters-in-law, Ida Langley and Grace Poncho; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Pallbearers: Drew Poncho, Taylor Thompson, Michael Abbey, Jeffery Abbey, Maynard Williams, Shane Poncho, Colin Poncho, and Jalen Abbey.

Honorary Bearers: James "Cody" Poncho and Jeffery Celestine.