Lorene Culley

Lorene Cook Culley of Wetumka, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025, in the comfort of her home at the age of 93. She was born on Sunday, October 23, 1932, by the Canadian River in Hughes County to Reuben Cook and Mary Scott.

Growing up in both the church and ceremonial ground, Lorene was a woman of strong faith. She grew up attending Salt Creek Indian Baptist Church in Wetumka, with her mom and aunt, Sukey, where she was lovingly known as Miss Sunday. As a child, she was a member of Tokepvtce Tribal Town and lived with her parents at Thlopthlocco Tribal Town. Later in life she, along with her husband, Paul, found a home at Greenleaf Ceremonial Ground, where she camped for more than 50 years. You could always find Grandma sitting by the campfire watching her beans cook and getting the coffee ready for visitors.

Lorene was married for 39 years to Paul Culley and had 6 children together. Being a military wife, she and her family moved across the United States to places like Georgia and Maryland. They eventually settled into what would be their family home in Wetumka.

Lorene dedicated her life to caring for others. She was a sweet, kind, loving, compassionate woman. Whether you called her Grandma, Miss Sunday, or Aunt Lorene, you knew you were going to be met with a smile and a hug. She enjoyed watching OU football and wearing her favorite red OU jacket. She loved going to stompdance, she loved stickball season, she loved cheeseburgers, and she loved her family and friends. And don't forget the ice-cold Coke!

Lorene is preceded in death by her husband, Paul Culley; four children, Paula Hill,Farron Culley, Deborah Harjochee, and Dennis Culley; four grandkids, James Johnson, Jeri Culley, Anresa Hill, and Jess Harjochee; two great-grandkids, Reese Culley and Heidi Tiger; and her parents Reuben Cook and Mary Scott.

She is survived by her son, Arron Culley of the home, daughter, Mary Culley of Shawnee, daughter-in-law, Irene Culley of Mason, 9 grandkids, 35 great-grandkids, and 18 great-great-grandkids, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation for Lorene Culley will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 1:00pm-8:00pm at Williamson-Spradlin Funeral Home in Wetumka, OK.

Wake service will be held Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 7pm at Salt Creek Indian Baptist Church, Wetumka.

Funeral services will be held Monday, December 15, 2025, at Salt Creek Indian Baptist Church at 1:00pm in Wetumka with Rev. J.B. Fish officiating. She will be laid to rest, immediately following, at Salt Creek Indian Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Jeremiah Johnson, Jeay Harjochee, Jacob Johnson, Devon Pack, Cordell King, and Toney Hill. Honorary pallbearers will be Reuben Culley, Paul Harjochee, Brian Culley, and Greenleaf Ceremonial members.

Services are under the direction of Williamson-Spradlin Funeral Home of Wetumka.