Week #10: Strong Woman

These women are my grandmother's two sisters, Ada Denver Padia and Bobby Denver  Freeman. (both sitting) Theresa Denver is standing behind them. All three of these women attended Sherman Indian School.  At the time the government required all Indian children to attend boarding schools.

Theresa was married to my mom's uncle, Milton. He was the youngest of the Denver children. He died in 1968 from a heart attack.  Aunt Theresa never remarried. They had three children.

Aunt Ada was married several times. Her first husband was Earl LeBeau.  They had six children:  Bennie, Tommy, Wade, Jola, Yvonne and Ronda.  She is now married to Jerry Padia and lives in Orlando, Florida.

Aunt Bobby married Robert Freeman for Pala, California. They had four children.

All three of these women raised children, grandchildren and nieces and nephews without a husband due to early deaths or divorce. They have influenced the women in my family to be strong and independent. They also keep family and Native American traditions alive.

Back Row Left to Right:  Jola LeBeau, Judi Sixkiller Mojado (my mom's sister), Theresa Denver, Shawna DeCola (Jola's daughter).  Front Row: Bobby Freeman and Ada Padia