Imogene Vann

Imogene (Jean) Vann passed away peacefully at Pleasant Valley Health Care Center on February 24, 2023, at the age of 100. Jean was born to Hazel (McClure) and Clem Vann, both enrolled Cherokees, on March 9, 1922, near Porum, OK. She had memories of riding in a horse drawn wagon into Porum with her family. The family moved to Muskogee in 1928 where Jean attended Elementary school. She later graduated from Muskogee Central High. During WWII, she worked in Washington, D.C., for the State Department and shared many stories about her time there. Upon her return to Muskogee, she went to work as an Executive Secretary at Phoenix Federal Savings and Loan Association, eventually retiring as a Vice President. She worked with her sister, Virginia Vann Perry, researching Cherokee family histories and genealogies for the Cherokee Heritage Center. Jean volunteered for many years at the annual fundraising book sale for the Muskogee Public Library and at the Muskogee Visitors Center. She was a member of the Webbers Falls Historical Society, Muskogee County Historical Society and Oklahoma Historical Society. Jean is survived by her niece, Karen Coker of Muskogee OK, nephew, Frank Vann Perry of Longmont CO, great-nephew Christopher Thomas Velona of Muskogee OK, great-nephew Theodore Vann Perry of Longmont CO, and numerous extended family members. Gracious thanks are extended to Pleasant Valley and Compassus – Muskogee for the compassionate care provided to Jean. Upon the death of her mother, Jean and her sister established the Hazel McClure Vann Memorial Scholarship at Northeastern State University to support students who are graduates of Cookson Hills High School, Oaks Mission High School or Porum High School attending Northeastern State University. Online donations via credit card may be made at www.nsugiving.com/donate. Checks may be made payable to “NSU Foundation” with the fund (Hazel McClure Vann Memorial Scholarship) listed on the memo line and mailed to: NSU Foundation, 812 North Cedar Ave., Tahlequah OK 74464. A celebration of Jean’s life will be 2PM, Thursday, March 2, 2023 at Greenhill Cemetery with Rooshawn Pratt officiating.

Imogene Vann

March 9, 1922 - February 24, 2023