Erma Lee Spencer, 88, Quapaw, Okla., died Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at Windridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Miami, Okla.
Born January 4, 1938, in Apple Glen, Ark., Erma was the daughter of Benjiman Franklin and Lessie Mable (Dyson) Imbeau. She had lived in the Quapaw, Okla. area all her life. She was a member of the Quapaw Nation.
Erma had worked as a seamstress at Glen Berry, King Louie, Burlington and Baxter Casket Company. She had also worked at Ace Electric in Columbus.
Erma was preceded in death by her husband Merle Ted Spencer; her parents; three brothers, Lewis Walter Imbeau, Art Imbeau and Leroy Imbeau and six sisters, Frances Burnett, Dorothy Marbut, Velma Jimerson, Hazel Burnett, Louise Hildebrand and Betty Stand.
Survivors include by daughter, Sonjia Leone and husband Anthony of Weir; son, Doug Spencer and wife Tina of Chanute; four grandchildren, Asheley Hickman, Cassie Spencer, Callie Spencer and Ariel Leone; and three great-grandchildren, Bo Hickman, Bear Hickman and Kane Hickman.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday, June 22 at Quapaw Tribal Building, southeast of Quapaw, Okla. Interment will be in Sherman City Cemetery in Sherman. Erma lied in state at Quapaw Tribal Building starting at noon Sunday, June 21. Services have been placed in the care of Paul Thomas Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Miami, Okla.