Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre, passed away at the age of 111 on Monday. Her grandson, Ike Howard, confirmed her death and said she had “a beautiful smile” and a deep love for life and people.
Fletcher was a key witness for survivors pursuing justice through lawsuits against the city of Tulsa. These legal efforts alleged city complicity in the massacre and sought reparations for ongoing effects.
The Tulsa Race Massacre erupted on May 31 when a false accusation against a Black teenager triggered violent retaliation from White mobs. The violence lasted approximately 16 hours, devastating 35 city blocks and many Black-owned homes and businesses.
Eyewitness accounts describe widespread destruction, including the burning of churches, schools, hospitals, and over a thousand residences. Hundreds of Black residents were beaten, killed, or arrested during the attack.
Fletcher openly shared the trauma she experienced that day, stating she “never got over” the fear and loss. Despite living in Tulsa since the massacre, she confessed to enduring sleepless nights due to lingering memories of violence and destruction.
Efforts for reparations suffered a setback in June when the Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed a survivor-led lawsuit claiming compensation for damages. This ruling extended the struggle for justice more than a century after the attack.
Fletcher’s brother, Hughes Van Ellis, who also survived the massacre, passed away recently at 102 years old. Their stories remain vital reminders of the massacre’s enduring impact on the Black community and Tulsa’s history.
Survivors like Fletcher have contributed important testimonies and helped keep the memory of the Tulsa Race Massacre alive. Their courage continues to fuel conversations about reparations and racial justice in America.
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