Photo courtesy of Stumpff Funeral Home & Crematory
The late Viola Ford Fletcher (1914-2025) was recognized by the Bartlesville City Council on Monday night with a mayoral proclamation.
“Mother Fletcher, as she was affectionately called, was a former Bartlesville resident who, at the time of her death, was the oldest known survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre,” said Mayor Jim Curd. “She led a remarkable life of resilience, dignity and unwavering strength.”
Fletcher was born on May 10, 1914, in Comanche, according to her obituary, and was only 7 years old living in Tulsa when she survived one of the darkest moments in American history. A century later, in 2021, she appeared before Congress to ensure the stories of Tulsa would never be forgotten. In 2023, she released a memoir, “Don’t Let Them Bury My Story.”
Fletcher died on Nov. 24 in Tulsa and is buried at White Rose Cemetery in Bartlesville.
“Over 111 years, Mother Fletcher became a symbol of endurance, justice and unbreakable spirit,” said Curd. “It is a profound honor for the Bartlesville City Council to recognize her legacy with this proclamation, ensuring that her story and her strength continue to inspire generations to come.”
To further honor her memory, the City will install a commemorative plaque in the Bartlesville Area History Museum — a lasting tribute to Fletcher’s impact and a reminder that her voice and courage will not be forgotten.