Maxine Wildcat Barnett, 96, of Sapulpa, Oklahoma passed from this life on August 27, 2021 in transition to Porta Caeli House in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Maxine was born on May 9, 1925 at home in Sapulpa to Maxey and Lizzie (Bighead) Wildcat. She was valedictorian when she graduated the eighth grade at Pickett School. She went on to graduate high school at Chilocco Indian School. She was a home health nurse for Muscogee Creek Nation and retired from Sunshine Home Health.
Maxine married the love of her life, Harrison Barnett. She was a devoted member of Pickett Chapel United Methodist Church where she served many roles, including teaching Sunday school and her beloved Euchee language. Maxine was also a faithful member of the United Methodist Women. She served as president of her local unit and also held office on both the district and jurisdictional levels. Her work with UMW took her to New York City to minister on the streets in the days after 9/11. She also traveled to the West Indies where she worked with women of different cultures from all over the world. Inspired by her trip to the West Indies, Maxine’s mission in life became to share the Euchee language with all who were willing to learn. She spent countless hours preparing lessons and stories to share with the Euchee children, with whom she was always willing to share her life experiences. She spent the later years of her life as a treasured consultant at both the Euchee Language Project in Sapulpa and the MCN Euchee Language Learning Center in Kellyville, Oklahoma. Maxine enjoyed traveling to church events and listening to Euchee and Creek hymns.
Maxine is preceded in death by her parents Maxey and Lizzie (Bighead) Wildcat; husband James Harrison Barnett; sister Josephine Wildcat Bigler; brothers Jimmie Wildcat, Nathaniel Wildcat and Andrew Wildcat; son Donald Lane Wildcat; daughter Patsy Elaine Wildcat; infant daughter Elizabeth Barnett; and her faithful companions Pistol and yastA Barnett.
She is survived by a son, Dennis Barnett of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren; several great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and family. She also leaves behind her many students of the Euchee language, who knew her as gOlaha (grandmother).
Wake services will be Monday, August 30, 2021 at 7 PM at Pickett Chapel United Methodist Church in Sapulpa, Oklahoma.
Funeral service will be Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 10 AM at Pickett Chapel UMC.
Interment will follow at Green Hill Cemetery in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Services will be officiated by Pastor Louis McGeely, Jr.
