Neva Horsechief Moore

Neva Horsechief Moore, who received her mother's Indian name Sta-wiri-wah which means “She brings good news” was born on Feb. 17, 1922, near Oakgrove, OK. She was born to Delbert Horsechief, Sr. and Minnie Ruth Moses. Neva was a full blood Pawnee of the Kitkehahki and Skidi bands. She had 7 brothers, Delbert Jr. Vance, Levi, Algar, Lewis, Ellis, and 2 sisters, Adeline and Susan Mae.
Her maternal grandparents were Rebecca White and John Moses. Her paternal grandparents were Spottedhorse and Lucie Running Eagle.
Neva graduated from 8th grade at Oak Grove School and graduated from Pawnee High School with her brother Levi, Class of 1941.
Neva married Francis Williams (Ottawa-Peoria) in 1942, and that marriage ended in 1947.
In 1948, Neva met and married Dewey Sampson Belvin (Choctaw). Neva and Dewey (m. 1948, d. 1956) are survived by four daughters: Linda Sue Cockrell and husband Leroy (Ruidoso NM), Wilma Jean and husband Col. Frank Richardson (Newport News VA), Delberta Ruth Belvin (OKC), Ellen Mae and husband Vic Gutierrez (OKC). They are also survived by two grandsons Eric Leroy Cockrell (Houston TX) and Jason Duane Belvin (OKC). Granddaughter Jamie Renae Cockrell Berdzar and husband Loren live in Castle Rock, CO, with great-granddaughters Leah Wren and Kenzie Rae.
In 1956, she began working for Lyon’s Indian Store and met and married Thurman Frank Moore (Otoe). They had 8 children, Neva, Mike, Allen, Denise, Melvin, Ronnie, Nancy, and Steve. She worked for Lyon’s Indian Store even after the death of her husband in 1970 to the present day.
Neva enjoyed NAC meetings, handgames, ceremonial dances, loved to cook for the Young Dog Dance and the Pawnee/Wichita Visitation. She was a War Mother, Service Club member, and was baptized at the Pawnee Indian Baptist Church and taught Sunday School classes.
Neva lived a long life and was able to see grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
98 years young!