Sharon Neddeau Pipestem
BY Staff Reports
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Obit=8835892
On Saturday morning at her home in Skiatook, Sharon Neddeau Pipestem left behind her failing body, entered the presence of the Lord, and celebrated a joyful reunion with her husband, Browning, her parents, and other loved ones. She passed on peacefully surrounded by family and friends. Sharon was born on August 18, 1942, in Topeka, Kansas, where mother Marjorie lived and worked for the Indian Health Service. Her father Leroy was serving in the Navy in World War II at the time of her birth. Sharon grew up in Shawnee and Tahlequah at Sequoyah Indian School where her mother was a nurse and her father was a carpenter. She graduated from Tahlequah High School in 1960 and attended the University of Oklahoma. Sharon and her husband Browning lived and worked in many communities, including Norman, where they raised their family. Sharon made Skiatook her home in 2005. A member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Sharon was passionate about American Indian rights and the preservation of tribal cultures. She worked in the law office of her husband Browning for many years, a practice that was devoted to advancing the interests of Indian people. A member of the First Baptist Church of Sperry, Sharon’s faith in Christ defined her life. Sharon leaves behind a legacy of dignity, love, and laughter. Sharon was a master at crossword puzzles, making people laugh, and comforting those who were in pain. Sharon leaves behind her children, Veronica, Francis Browning Jr. (“Rock”), and Wilson (“Wolf”) Pipestem; brother Donald Neddeau of Hollister, California; grandchildren Katelynn, Kingston, Kayla, Mattea, Parrish, and Truman Pipestem; numerous relatives; and many surrogate children that she loved and welcomed into the family. Family preceding her in passing include her parents, Marjorie and Leroy Neddeau, and her husband Browning. Services for her will be held at her home in Skiatook, located at 16659 Ranchland Road, on Sunday and Monday at 7 pm. Her funeral service will take place at her home on Tuesday at 10 am. Following the funeral service, she will be interred at the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Cemetery in Red Rock, Oklahoma. A meal will follow at the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Complex. This obituary was published in the Tulsa World on 11/13/2012.
