VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 2/2/16)—Amelia (Two Bulls-Petter) OldCrow, 72, of Lodge Grass, Mont., died on Jan. 27 at her daughter’s home in Huntley, Ill. She served on the board of directors of American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) and American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS), for which she also served the Indian Ministries Caucus and its Northwest region.
She was the wife of Newton OldCrow Sr., whom she married on Nov. 3, 1980.
Born Feb. 21, 1943, in Lame Deer, Mont., to Joe and Eva (Limpy) Two Bulls, she was adopted and raised by Laura Petter.
She and her husband pastored two churches in Lodge Grass—First Crow Indian Baptist Church and Little Brown Church—from 1997 to 2008. Before that, they served as pastors for three churches in Seiling, Canton and Watonga, Okla., from 1989 to 1997.
OldCrow earned a three-year ministerial certificate from Charles Cook Theological School, Tempe, Ariz. She was ordained by ABCUSA in 1989. In addition, she was the first Native American woman to be ordained in the Mennonite General Conference USA, into the Canton, Okla., Yoke Ministry, in 1990.
A dedicated volunteer, she helped those dealing with substance abuse and domestic violence. She was a member of the Kiowa Gourd Clan and War Mothers, Oklahoma, and South Cheyenne Gourd Clan. She and her husband co-founded the Christian Cowboy Fellowship.
“Amelia trusted the Lord, knowing He was the foundation of her life,” says Harvey Stewart, ABHMS’ Western coordinator, Indian Ministries. “While helping others, she didn’t just see things as they appeared, she saw beyond the circumstances to what could be with the love and forgiveness of Christ.”
In addition to her husband, she is survived by sons, Knute, Bill and J.R.; daughters, Jodi (Martin), wife of Mark Sallee, Edwina, Anne and Bobbi Ann; brothers, Dan Petter and Valdo Petter; sisters, Amy (Petter) Guerena and Darlena (Whiteman) Marceau; and grandchildren.
A viewing was held yesterday at Bullis Mortuary, Hardin, Mont. Funeral services were held today at Spirit of Life Foursquare Church, Crow Agency, Mont. Interment followed at Lodge Grass Cemetery. Arrangements were by Bullis Mortuary.
American Baptist Home Mission Societies—the domestic mission arm of American Baptist Churches USA—ministers as the caring heart and serving hands of Jesus Christ across the United States and Puerto Rico through a multitude of initiatives that focus on discipleship, community and justice.
American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with over 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.