Tulsa Race Riot Survivor's Legacy Remembered

By Russell Hulstine & Chris Howell, NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OKLAHOMA -- A survivor of the Tulsa Race Riot who passed away last week is being remembered by her family for encouraging her children and grandchildren to look to the future and not be afraid to pursue their dreams. 

Eldoris McCondichie died on Friday.  Her family had just celebrated her 99th birthday two days before.

One of her grandsons, Captain Andre Fields, who is stationed in Japan with the U.S. Army, said he looked forward to coming home to visit.  

"I think this area representative of that, you now, formally known as the Black Wall Street of Tulsa, and it is kind of beginnings of her roots as far as dreaming and not being afraid and reach for the stars," said Captain Fields.

Eldoris McCondichie was 9-years-old when the riot began on May 31st, 1921.  No one is sure how many people died, but some believe it could have been as many as 300.  The riot destroyed more than 1,200 homes and left 10,000 people homeless.

Joi McCondichie says her grandmother leaves an important legacy as a survivor.  

"She was not inhibited to show the fact about she had gone through such a difficult time. But she showed it with strength and dignity and that is the legacy that we will carry on," said Joi McCondichie.

Eldoris McCondichie's funeral will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, North Tulsa on North Greenwood.