Nyu-pe-do-grane, Looking Out Over Beautiful Land, was born April 4, 1949 to Gloria Collins and Levi Moncooyea at Pawnee Indian Hospital, Pawnee, Oklahoma. Vernice graduated Enid High School, 1967 and went on to OSU Tech where she studied and was cheerleading when she met Robert Lowrance. Vernice apprenticed with Tulsa Tribune, a union worker; she would go on to be master proof reader before the newspaper went to print. Vernice is preceded in death by her mother Gloria Collins, father Levi Moncooyea Sr, husband Harold Willis, siblings Colin Snake, Stanley Snake, Clyde Warrior, Levi Moncooyea Jr, and Alvanita DeLodge. Her memory lives on through siblings Charles Moncooyea, Glenda Harp, Holly Kemble and Susan Moncooyea.