Funeral services for Shirley Garnette, who died on her 76th birthday, are Friday, April 21, 2023 at 10:00 at the Mother Butler Center in Rapid City, SD, with Pastor Elton Yellow Boy officiating and traditional Lakota services by Tyrel Salway.
Burial follows at noon at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD.
A one-night wake service will be held Thurs from 5:00 – 9:00 PM at the Mother Butler Center in Rapid City.
Online condolences may be left at siouxfuneralhome.com.
Shirley Rose Garnette (Wakinyan Tunwapi Peti’ jan’jan’ win – “The Light/Fire Inside the Lightning Woman) entered this world on April 15, 1947, in Rapid City, SD, to Alvina Lavina Means and Arthur Glade. She made her journey to join our ancestors on April 15, 2023, after a courageous fight against cancer that ultimately took her from her family far too quickly.
Shirley was the second of 5 children and graduated from New Underwood High School in 1965. In her early years, she rode horses and enjoyed barrel racing.
As a young, driven Lakota winyan, she quickly found her true passion as an educator when she took on the job of teacher’s aide in Wanblee, SD.
She wasted no time and immediately earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Black Hills State University in 1969, followed by a Master’s degree in Secondary Education, also from BHSU. Shirley added another Master’s degree in Counseling in 1976 from South Dakota State University.
She then made it her life’s work to guide and support youth in pursuing their educational goals. Initially, she taught in Wanblee and Pine Ridge, then became a Principal for Loneman Elementary and the Wounded Knee District Schools. She was also a school counselor and teacher at Little Wound School for 4 years.
Next followed a total of 10 years as Director of Indian Education in 3 cities – in Sioux Falls, Phoenix, AZ, and Rapid City – before she found her home at Pine Ridge High School. Shirley eventually retired there after nearly 25 years of dedicated service as a Counselor, Grant Writer, and Dorm Manager.
In addition to her long list of academic accomplishments, Shirley was a child advocate caseworker Rapid City Casey Family, where she helped foster children of all ages find safe, supportive, and permanent families.
Outside of her service work, Shirley enjoyed selling Avon products and both conducting and going to garage sales. On spring and summer evenings, you might have caught her walking alongside her husband, Joey, in Canyon Lake Park and Sioux Park.
Shirley met the love of her life, Joey Carl Garnette, on Dec 12th, 1975, in Pine Ridge. They instantly knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. This whirlwind romance resulted in nuptials after only 12 days of courtship.
Shirley and Joey married on a crisp winter afternoon on December 24th, 1975. Together they had two sons, Joey “Joe” Clay Garnette II and Joel “Shawn” Garnette.
Shirley achieved many significant accomplishments in her life, but what she valued most was the well-being of her family. On her very last day, she reunited her family to celebrate one last birthday before joining those who came before us.
Shirley is survived by her husband of 48 years, Joey C Garnette; their two children Joey C Garnette II and Joel “Shawn” Garnette (Tada); her grandchildren Brittnie A Garnette, Jordan AD Shott, Tanner A Garnette, Kaylee G Garnette, Joey “Chance” Garnette III, and Precious “Grace” Garnette; her great-granddaughter Emaleigha R Loftus; and her siblings Jim Glade and Betsy Mackey.
She was preceded in death by her firstborn son Albert White, her younger brother Jerry Glade, and her parents Arthur and Alvina Glade.
Pallbearers will be Joey “Chance” Garnette, Tanner Garnette, Eli Black Bear, Steve Yellow Hawk, and Cole Glade.
Honorary pallbearers will be all friends & relatives.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge.
Find peace with our ancestors, Shirley; you will be forever missed by all who knew you.