Rita Jane Black (Cheyenne: Nóvá'késo "Slow Growing Woman") was born on October 20, 1937 to Dana and Mary May (DeBrae) Black on the home place East of Seiling in Fonda, Oklahoma. Rita was a great-great granddaughter of Cheyenne Chief Black Kettle. She attended elementary school at Pumpkin Ridge School in Fonda before she attended Seiling Public Schools. In 1987, Rita was married to Leon Turner in Seiling. Rita had a daughter, Sandra.

Rita was fluent in her Cheyenne language, and she worked to help others learn their Cheyenne names and the language. She worked for Seiling Public Schools for 30 years. She was a member of the Rusty Needles Sewing Club. She was a member of the Seiling Indian Mennonite Church and attended the Seiling Church of Christ. She enjoyed sewing, going to Indian dances and pow-wows, and she enjoyed taking care of her yard and her flowers. Most of all, Rita loved spending time and visiting with her family and friends.

Rita passed from this life on June 26, 2019 at the age of 81 in Seiling. She is preceded in death by her parents, Dana and Mary May Black; sisters Elizabeth Bull, Mary Little Coyote, Alice Littleman, and Norma Buffalomeat; brothers Marvin Black, Sr., and Larry Black; sons Steven Ray Black, and James Darrel Black; son-in-law Dale Hinshaw; and special daughter-in-law Leilani Jackson Shafer.

Rita is survived by a sister, Norma Smith of Woodward, OK; daughter Sandra Hinshaw of Seiling; grandson Seth Black of Seiling; granddaughter Melissa Hinshaw of Ardmore, OK; granddaughter Maci Hinshaw of Broadway, NC; granddaughter Vicky Darlington of Monte Vista, CO; grandson James Black of Colorado; granddaughter Megan Pascoe of Colorado; granddaughter Randi Ortega of Colorado; 7 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, and a host of loved ones and friends.

A traditional Cheyenne wake will be held Sunday, June 30 at 7:00 p.m. at the C-1 Building in Seiling. Funeral services are to be held July 1 at 1:00 p.m. at the Seiling Restoration Church with burial to follow at Brumfield Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the:

Seiling Ambulance Service

c/o Redinger Funeral Home

PO Box 236

Seiling, OK 7363