Wannie Jean Whiteshield

Wannie Jean Whiteshield, Little Woman, was born June 17, 1959, in Thomas, Oklahoma, and journeyed to the Happy Hunting Grounds on January 6, 2026. Surrounded by her mother, children, and granddaughters, she took her final breath at the OU Edmond ICU.

Wannie was the daughter of Ercel Whiteshield and was raised between Thomas, Oklahoma, and Denver, Colorado. She attended Thomas High School and spent much of her youth in Denver as well. From a young age, Wannie was grounded in strong traditional Cheyenne values, lovingly instilled by her grandparents, Gertrude and Richard Tallbull. She often spoke of cherished memories frying chicken for community feeds at the Denver Indian Center—volunteered by her grandmother—and helping with beading classes alongside her sister, Ronda. Family meant everything to Wannie. She could spend hours sharing stories about Edward, Sara, Tator, and Dubee, and she was immensely proud to be their big sister.

As an adult, Wannie devoted her life to her children. She would laugh when recalling the early years of raising George, Benji, and Robert, joking that it felt like caring for triplets. Later came her girls, Sara, Lauren, and Tiffani. Motherhood was her greatest accomplishment, and nothing brought her more joy than seeing her children happy and thriving.

Wannie worked for 16 years at the Clinton Indian Service Unit before retiring. She truly loved her job and took pride in advocating for her patients whenever needed. Through her work, she formed many lasting friendships, and even after retirement, she deeply missed being there and seeing familiar smiling faces.

In 1982, Wannie met her companion, Lawrence Sittingbear. They shared 43 years together until Lawrence’s passing in November 2025. As grandparents, they loved their grandchildren fiercely and cherished time spent watching movies together and visiting the casino.

Wannie was a talented beader and an excellent cook. She enjoyed listening to audiobooks during long drives with her daughter Sara, watching The Golden Girls, and attending her grandchildren’s school events. Above all else, she adored her grandchildren: Davi, Gertie, Nellie, LaQuita, Baby Will, Benji, Lars, Georgie, Jazzy, NaNami, Harviann, Truman, MaKayla, Evan, Aleck, and RJ.

Wannie’s last days were spent in Weatherford with her daughter Sara, helping raise her grandchildren. Outside of work, Wannie and Sara were rarely apart, sharing a bond rooted in love, laughter, and devotion to family. Another past time they enjoyed was taking her mother, Lou, to the casino.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Sittingbear; her brother, Edward Whiteshield; her sister, Sara John; her nephew/son, Benjamin Whiteshield, and James Whiteshield; her father, David Whiteshield; and her grandparents, Gertrude (Lonebear) and Richard Tallbull Sr., and Nellie and David Hamilton.

She is survived by her mother, Ercel Whiteshield of Thomas; her daughters, Sara Whiteshield, Lauren Whiteshield, and Tiffani Sittingbear, all of Weatherford; her sons, George Whiteshield of Thomas and Robert Whiteshield of El Reno; her sister, Vivian Whiteshield of Watonga; and her sixteen beloved grandchildren.

An all-night wake will be held Monday, January 12, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Clinton ERC. Funeral services will take place Tuesday, January 13, at 1:00 p.m. at Freedom Worship Center in Thomas. Wannie will be laid to rest at Thomas Cemetery. Gerald Panana will officiate, and services are under the direction of Lee Hometown Funeral Home.