Inez Strong

Inez Rose Strong ‘Iilaysii’ 75 died peacefully May 12, 2022, at Cottage in the Meadows. Inez was born January 30, 1947, in Wapato, WA to Robert Strong Sr and Lucille Johnson. She was an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation. Inez graduated from Granger High school, Class of 1965. Following graduation, Inez attended one year of college at Central Washington University. Inez was a life-long fan of the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners. She was also a huge fan of Elvis Presley. Inez grew up learning and practicing the Yakama Nation cultural ways of life. She learned to pick berries, dig roots, can foods, take care of fish and meat, spent her life teaching and passing down the traditions to younger generations. She dedicated her life to practicing the Shaker religion and was the third elder of the 1910 Satus Shaker Church. Inez had an impressive resume under her belt. Inez began working in the fields, working in the hop, cherry, apple and apricot orchards. Inez worked at numerous Yakama Nation programs that included BIA Superintendent, Camp Chaparral, Cultural Resources, Cultural Center Gift Shop, Foster Retirement, Head Start, Realty/Probate, and Tribal Maintenance. Inez had many interests and hobbies growing up. Inez was truly a big sister to her younger siblings, helping her parents by taking care of the younger ones when needed. Inez played two sports, basketball and fast pitch. She was a part of the CWU choir program. Inez traveled to many places in Washington State, Oregon and Canada. Inez also played in the pool league, BINGO and going to Legends casino. She loved to be creative, sewing was her passion, holidays were her treasure and teaching was her heart. Inez is survived by her children Georgia Fae (Lucei) Garcia, Brandon Kelly Walter Root, Colithea Fawn Strong and adoptive daughter Samrayeal Strong. Eleven grandchildren Jeanetta, Anthony, his wife Brittany, Domineke, Jeremy Garcia, River and Isha George, Aiyana, Dymelle and Seneca Root, Aramis and Anson Strong, Cassandra and Linda Randall, and Percy Strong-Martinez. Four sisters, Ne’sha Nellie Jackson, Roberta Strong, Emma Tanewasha, and Matilda Tanewasha, one brother George Strong and numerous nieces and nephews. Also the Johnson, Strong, Tanewasha, Anderson, Kuneki, numerous relatives and extended families. Inez was proceeded in death by her parents Robert and Lucille, stepfather Kelly Tanewasha, siblings Robert Strong Jr, Reginald Strong, Samuel Strong, Priscilla Strong, Anita Tanewasha, Laurence Tanewasha, Anson Tanewasha and Jerry Tanewasha. A private dressing service was held on Saturday May 14, 2022, 10:00 a.m. at Valley Hills Funeral Home in Wapato, WA, with a garment service and viewing following at 1910 Satus Shaker Church. Burial service will take place on Monday May 16, 2022, 8:00 a.m. at McCoy Cemetery. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Inez Strong, please visit our flower store.