Home > United States of America > South Dakota > Oglala Lakota County > Pine Ridge > Red Cloud Cemetery > Evelyn Mary “Inie” Ecoffey Matthews

Evelyn Mary “Inie” Ecoffey Matthews

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Birth	:	8 Feb 1908 Merriman, Cherry County, Nebraska, USA
Death	:	6 Mar 2004 Martin, Bennett County, South Dakota, USA
Burial	:	Red Cloud Cemetery, Pine Ridge, Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate	:	43.0776839, -102.5837514
Description	:	PINE RIDGE - Evelyn Mary "Inie" Matthews, 96, died March 6, 2004, at the Bennett County Nursing Home in Martin, S.D. Inie was born at home in Merriman, Neb., on February 8, 1908. Her parents were Joseph and Rose (Nelson) Ecoffey. Her siblings by birth order were Louise Keith, Frank "Posey" Ecoffey, Ethel Merrival, Lenore Ecoffey, Lawrence "Prunes" Ecoffey and Edward Ecoffey. Two sisters, Alvina and Stella, died in early childhood. She spent her younger years in Merriman and Gordon, Neb., and on the family ranch located in the sand hills north of Gordon. Inie attended grade school at the... Read More	PINE RIDGE - Evelyn Mary "Inie" Matthews, 96, died March 6, 2004, at the Bennett County Nursing Home in Martin, S.D. Inie was born at home in Merriman, Neb., on February 8, 1908. Her parents were Joseph and Rose (Nelson) Ecoffey. Her siblings by birth order were Louise Keith, Frank "Posey" Ecoffey, Ethel Merrival, Lenore Ecoffey, Lawrence "Prunes" Ecoffey and Edward Ecoffey. Two sisters, Alvina and Stella, died in early childhood. She spent her younger years in Merriman and Gordon, Neb., and on the family ranch located in the sand hills north of Gordon. Inie attended grade school at the Catholic School in Rushville, Neb., and at the elementary school in Gordon. She spent her freshman year at the Bureau of Indian Affairs School in Flandreau, S.D., and the next two at Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kan. Inie, an accomplished violinist, began taking lessons while the family lived in Gordon. In high school, she sat as first chair for the Haskell Institute Orchestra. The Ecoffey siblings were all of good voice and could sometimes be heard singing in harmony at family gatherings. In the fall of her senior year, Inie transferred from Haskell Institute to Hot Springs High School in S.D. On May 6, 1927, The Hot Springs Times reported that Inie was a cast member in the senior play, "Amazon Isle," a farce comedy. She played the role of Lulu Palaza, the white queen of the Amazons - a head-hunter. The paper went on to say her pastime was "driving a Ford" and that she was noted for "Being absent at meetings." After graduating in 1927 from Hot Springs High School, Inie took business courses in Rapid City, S.D., and later did clerical work at the Sioux San in Rapid City. In 1929, Inie won the title of "Miss Original American" in an Indian Beauty Pageant at Hot Springs and was given the name "Ta Makoci Win," meaning "Her Country Woman" or "Miss America." About this same time, Inie won a beautiful foot contest and she and her brother Prunes were routinely winning dance contests. Inie moved to Martin, S.D., where she worked at the the Court House for the Bennett County Attorney. Her duties included announcing the daily court docket from the courthouse steps. There she married and later divorced Stanley Sigman. Her daughter, Darlyne, was born of this marriage. Inie married Gilbert L. Matthews on New Year's Eve in 1938 in Alliance, Neb. Five children were born to this union: Gilbert Jr. "Butch," Marirose, Robert, Daryl and Michele "Micky." She and Gilbert divorced in 1954. During 28 years of civil service, Inie worked in the Bureau of Indian Affairs Education Office, as secretary to the BIA Superintendent and as a clerk and eventually the manager of Property and Supply. Evelyn Whirlwind Horse, now 97 years old, was Inie's supervisor at the Education Office. She remembers Inie as being a wonderful person to work with and said, "You could depend on Inie; she was always meticulous with her work." After retiring from the Bureau, Inie worked for the Oglala Sioux Tribal College Center as the Business Manager for about five years. Following a move to Rapid City, she worked for the Johnson O"Malley Program for five years. Inie's interests and activities included reading Louis L'Amour and playing Yahtzee, canasta and other card games with her family. She enjoyed gambling at the horse races and on the dogs. An avid bowler, she even went to bowling school to be an instructor. Her competitive spirit brought her home with many tournament wins. She enjoyed steak, black jellybeans and BINGO, a favorite pastime in her later years. Inie is survived by her son, Robert of Watertown, S.D.; three daughters, Darlyne Clements of Pine Ridge, S.D., Marirose Morris of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Michele Anne Crowe of Denver, Colo.; daughter-in-law Rona Matthews of Colorado Springs, Colo.; 19 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Inie was preceded in death by two sons, Gilbert Jr. and Daryl, her parents Joe and Rose, and all of her siblings. She embraced life and brought incredible warmth and joy to many during her 96 years. Her beauty, intelligence, humor, grace and willfulness will long be remembered. A one-night wake will be held on March 8 at Sacred Heart Church in Pine Ridge, S.D. Services will be held on March 9 at Sacred Heart Church in Pine Ridge, with Father Steve Sanford, S.J., officiating. Inie chose to be cremated. Final arrangements will be at a later date with immediate family. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. Published in the Rapid City Journal on 3/8/2004.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Evelyn Mary “Inie” Ecoffey Matthews's memorial?
Evelyn Mary “Inie” Ecoffey Matthews's memorial is located at: Red Cloud Cemetery, Pine Ridge, Oglala Lakota County, USA.
When did Evelyn Mary “Inie” Ecoffey Matthews death?
Evelyn Mary “Inie” Ecoffey Matthews death on 6 Mar 2004 in Martin, Bennett County, South Dakota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Evelyn Mary “Inie” Ecoffey Matthews's memorial?
Latitude: 43.0776839
Longitude: -102.5837514

Family Members:

Parent

Joseph Canute Ecoffey

(1877 - 1957)

Rose Powell “Princess Blue Waters” Nelson Ecoffey

(1880 - 1972)

Spouse

Gilbert Louis Matthews Sr.

(1917 - 1983)

Siblings

Alvina Ecoffey

(1896 - 1896)

Louise Pacificque Ecoffey Keith

(1899 - 1976)

Frank Albert Ecoffey

(1901 - 1978)

Stella Marie Ecoffey

(1903 - 1903)

Ethel Ecoffey Merrival

(1906 - 2001)

Lenore C Ecoffey

(1910 - 1989)

Edward Ross Ecoffey

(1913 - 1947)

Lawrence R “Prunes” Ecoffey

(1915 - 1973)

Children

Capt Gilbert Louis “Butch” Matthews Jr.

(1941 - 1971)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Red Cloud Cemetery
Pine Ridge, Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0776839, -102.5837514

2. Cortier Family Cemetery
Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1160000, -102.6210000

3. Pine Ridge Presbyterian Cemetery
Pine Ridge, Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0235200, -102.5506200

4. Holy Cross Cemetery
Pine Ridge, Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0194016, -102.5503006

5. Tashnke-Ko-Ki-Pa-Pi Cemetery
Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1222000, -102.6560974

6. Saint James Cemetery
Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1356010, -102.6397018

7. White Clay Cemetery
Rushville, Sheridan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9732820, -102.5667230

8. Lamont Cemetery
Wounded Knee, Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1006012, -102.4107971

9. Wolf Creek Community Cemetery
Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0405750, -102.3966490

10. Saint Peters Episcopal Cemetery
Oglala, Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1697200, -102.7328200

11. Saint Matthews Episcopal Cemetery
Slim Butte, Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0780530, -102.7873140

12. Our Lady of the Sioux Cemetery
Oglala, Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1864550, -102.7314260

13. Saint Paul Cemetery
Porcupine, Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1863700, -102.4290800

14. Holy Jumping Eagle Family Cemetery
Manderson, Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2028590, -102.4513820

15. Messiah Episcopal Cemetery
Wounded Knee, Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1499300, -102.3779400

16. Black Tail Deer Family Cemetery
Manderson, Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2258400, -102.4787900

17. Presbyterian Cemetery
Wounded Knee, Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1503300, -102.3781000

18. Native American Cemetery
Oglala, Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0886002, -102.3550034

19. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Cemetery
Slim Butte, Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0619800, -102.8166200

20. Slim Buttes Cemetery
Pine Ridge, Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0621700, -102.8168100

21. Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery
Wounded Knee, Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1445912, -102.3657458

22. Wounded Knee Monument
Pine Ridge, Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1410300, -102.3619600

23. Spotted Bear Family Cemetery
Denby, Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0608200, -102.3376600

24. Saint Agnes Catholic Cemetery
Manderson, Oglala Lakota County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2441000, -102.4739200