Kimberly Anne Bear passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by family and friends during a prayer service arranged by her son, Phillip, on April 15, 2024.
Kimberly was born September 8, 1962, in Pawnee, Oklahoma, to Norma Osage Byrd and William H. Byrd Jr. She was Osage and Ioway and belonged to the Grayhorse District. Her Osage name was Xhu-Eh Doin, “Looking at the Eagle.”
She will be remembered for her boundless capacity to love, her nurturing instincts as a mother and her selfless generosity. Her devotion to her grandsons was great, and her active presence in their lives will be deeply missed. She found solace in caring for others and treated everyone she encountered as family.
Raised in Columbus, Georgia, she was the only girl in the house with four brothers. She was tough. She moved to Oklahoma when she was a young adult and was embraced by her Osage people. She loved her Osage culture and was a cook for the Bear camp. This is where she also taught her children how to cook Osage food.
She was a childcare provider for 10 years, taking care of many children. She also worked in the casino industry in later years. She worked at Duck Creek Casino, Osage Casino for many years, Ioway Casino, and finished her last day working in March at the Osage Casino in Sand Springs. Her work ethic and commitment to serving her tribes made her a respected mentor to many.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Kimberly was known for her impeccable sense of style and her knack for hairstyling, a talent cherished by her nieces. And her shoes! All her nieces adored her style.
The loves of her life were her children, grandchildren and Curtis Bear. There was just something about her and Curtis, no matter where their lives took them, no matter whether they were apart, they always came back together. Curtis stayed by her side during her last days. He loved her so much.
She is survived by her longtime love, Curtis Bear; sons, Phillip Pyahhunkah Brave and Elijah Bear; daughters, Mary Katharine Brave Byrd and Kimberly Brave. Son-in-law (who she loved like a son) Darren McGhee; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Connie and Cliff Bishop; grandsons, Spencer McGhee, Alex McGhee and Phillip Pyahhunkah Brave II; siblings, James Dailey, William Byrd III, Joe Byrd, Patrick Byrd, and Calvin Byrd; and a host of cherished family, friends, nieces, nephews and “bonus kids.”
Kimberly was preceded in death by her grandparents, Joe Osage and Mabel Kihega (Ioway); her parents, Norma Osage Byrd and William H. Byrd, Jr.; and her daughter, Jamie Nicole Bear.
Kimberly will lie in state at her family’s home in Bartlesville, located at 601 Hudson Lake Road. A meal will be served at 6 p.m. before the rosary on Thursday, April 18, followed by traditional singing. Cameron Pratt and Taos Barrone will conduct an Osage service at 9 a.m. on Friday, April 19, at the family home, followed by a 10 a.m. service by Talee Redcorn, at the home. Interment will be at her family cemetery, with a meal to follow at Wakon Iron Community Building in Pawhuska.
Pallbearers are Richard Rulinghisson, Phillip Tinker, Cyler Barrone, Joe Hall, Benjamin Bear and Clark Batson.
Kimberly’s legacy of love will continue to resonate within the hearts of those who knew her. The outpouring of love and support from our closest family, friends, and loved ones has been profoundly appreciated by our family.
