Lavena Cole-Dominguez

LaVena “Vena” Cher Cole-Dominguez, 48, left this world on March 7, 2022, at OU Medical Center after a long-term illness. She was born to Constance Cole on October 10, 1973 at the Ponca City Hospital.

She attended and graduated from Ponca City Senior High School in 1992. While in high school, she played many instruments in the band, her main being the clarinet. She was also a candy striper at the Ponca City Hospital during her high school years and loved volunteering there.

After high school, she went on to attend Northern Oklahoma College and received her Associates Degree in Business in 1995. This degree would help her later on in her work with the Ponca Tribe, where she was a director and coordinator for many of the Tribal Programs. She also helped oversee and direct the design for the Clyde Warrior Building.

On April 23, 2001 she married the love of her life, Manuel Dominguez and had a very beautiful wedding at the White Eagle Methodist Church where she was a lifelong member and made very wonderful memories of that day.

LaVena was always laughing and happy and was always the life of the party and was full of love for everyone.  She was a firm believer in living life to the fullest in everything she did. She was the voice of reason for many members of her family and those closest to her. She was always willing to help anyone who called upon her, especially her family. Vena brought joy to anyone she was around and loved spending time with her nieces and nephews, especially her nephew Hawk. She was also like a second mom to her mother’s 4 grandsons who she raised. She was a good cook and loved going to casinos, often having very good luck there and winning.

Vena was also very proud of her Ponca Tribe and heritage and culture. She was a descendant of Yellowberry and also a member of the Deer Clan. Her love for her culture was a big reason she liked to go to the powwows and would go to every one she could.

LaVena is survived by her mother Constance Cole, one sister Leah White Plume, 5 nephews, and 3 nieces.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Gilbert Cole, Jr and Florence (Calls Him) Cole. As well as her 4 uncles who she adored: Delbert, Colbert, Robert, and Talbert Cole.

Evening services will be held on Wednesday March 9, 2022 at 7:30 pm at the Ponca Cultural Center and funeral services will be held on Thursday March 10, 2022 at 2 pm following the Traditional Noon Feast and giveaway. Pastor Jim White and Reverend Dr. Louis Headman will be officiating. Casket bearers will be George White Plume, Alexander White Plume, Cheston Cole, Richard Littlecook, T.J. Calls Him, Starling Whitestar, Gabriel Primeaux, and Cluwebster Campbell. Honorary casket bearers are Nathaniel “Hawk” White Plume, Sheldon Tawkoyty, Neal Roughface, Blue Blueback, Sonny Cole, and Oohanzinga Littlecook.

Online guest registry can be found at www.gracememorialchapel.net.