Funeral services for 89-year old Theresa Godwin are Tuesday, Sept 1, 2020 at 10:00 AM at the Advent Chapel in the Calico Community near Pine Ridge, SD, with Fr Edmund Yainao, S.J., officiating.
Burial services will be at Holy Rosary Mission Catholic Cemetery, Pine Ridge
A one-night wake service starts at 4:00 PM, Monday, August 31, 2020 at 4:00 PM, also at the Advent Chapel in the Calico Community
Theresa Marie Left Hand-Gowin “Wocekiya Yuha Mani Win” was born to Andrew Frank Left Hand and Josephine Jessie (Marrowbone) Left Hand on August 3, 1931 in Pine Ridge, SD. She was blessed with two brothers, Eugene and Isaac, and three sisters, Cecelia Agnes, Catherine and Agatha. She also grew up with her cousins, Aloysius “Dominic” and Patrick Running Hawk, Stanley Kindle, Caroline Brown Bear, and Ollie Kindle. Theresa made her journey to the Spirit World on August 22, 2020 in Pine Ridge, SD.
Theresa attended Holy Rosary Mission for grade school and high school. She never had negative stories to share of her dorm life at Holy Rosary, only good times with her friends.
Theresa met Charles L. Smallwood and to this union, 6 children blessed their lives; Bernard, Charlene, Chrysan, Richard, Josephine, and Anthony. Later in life, she met and married Roy Gowin. And to this union, one son was born, Michael John; 14 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Ron, Charles Jr., Robert, Charlotte, Johnnie, Cynthia and Billy Smallwood; she helped raise Warren Blue Bird as her own and one hunka daughter, Beverly Pipe On Head. Our mother was so loving and kind that everyone who met her wanted to be adopted by her. She was very quick to forgive and always helped everyone out with what she had.
Theresa loved all her children and considered her grandchildren and great grandchildren her greatest blessings. Her home was always welcoming, and she always had coffee on and a huge pot of potato soup on the stove. That huge pot of soup was made with love and was comfort food everyone shared.
In 2015 Oglala Lakota College honored the Lakota speakers on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Theresa was one of the elders that were honored. The Lakota language was her first language and she was quite proficient in speaking the old language. Our mother was very shy and did not like to be called upon but on this day she was proud to be honored in this way.
Our mother is enjoying a huge family reunion in the land beyond the sky with her three children, Charlene, Josephine and Michael. Included in this joyous reunion are her parents, Andrew Frank and Josephine Jessie; brother, Eugene; sister, Catherine Left Hand-Little Hawk; cousins, Stanley Kindle, Ollie Kindle, and Cyrus “Patrick” Running Hawk; uncles, Jacob Left Hand and Adam Left Hand; aunt, Julie Left Hand; nephew, David Whipple, beloved daughter-in-law, Tina Two Two; grandparents and several other relatives before her.
We will miss her in this lifetime until we meet again.. We love you so much Mom.
Pallbearers will be Jordan Herman, Andrew Herman, Richard Lee Smallwood, Reuben Smallwood, Eric Red Cloud, Eugene Running Hawk, Adonis Herman and Jason Two Two.
Honorary pallbearers will be Isaac A. Left Hand, Aloysius Dominic Running Hawk & Family, Gloria Returns From The Lodge-Goggles & Family, Dolores Returns From The Lodge-Shoulderblade & Family, Cecelia Agnes Left Hand-Red Cloud & Family, Agatha & George Palfy & Family, Erica Yellow Hair & Family, Vernona Kills Right & Family, Berta Jean Kills Right & Family, Angie Big Crow, Marie Kills Right & Family, Lester Running Hawk & Family, Robert & Eileen Running Bear, Nicolas, Aaron and Lane Smallwood, Audrey Shields & Family, Pedro Sharpfish & Family, Cheryl Bentino Whipple, Audrey Little Hawk-Thompson, William Marie, Ira Makes Him First & Families, Phillip Yellow Hawk & Family, Tobacco Families, Catches Families, All Children, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and All Friends & Relatives.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD