Janice Sawney

Janice Carole Sawney was born February 14th, 1967, in Stilwell, OK. She passed peacefully, at the age of 56, on March 17, 2023.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sallie Marie Sawney and Jim Killer of Stilwell, Oklahoma: her sister Dorena Alexander of Ada, Oklahoma, and her brother, Edward 'Jim Boy' Sawney of Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

She is survived by her sisters; Willie Mae 'Dolly' Alexander, Christine 'Chris' Hawk and Mary 'Tanay' McDonald of Ada, Oklahoma and Letha 'Hootie' Crittenden of Colcord, Oklahoma; her brothers Jerry Hawk of Westville, Oklahoma; Jesse Hawk of Stilwell, Oklahoma; Thomas 'Yogi' Hawk Jr of Lincoln, Arkansas and Stevie Sawney of Ada, OK: her children Russell R. Sawney and wife Victoria Gonzales and their children Rustin, Reuben and Reyna Sawney of Pryor, Oklahoma; Sevan G. Big Hair and her children Keldyn L Cashman, Levan G. Big Hair of Tahlequah, Oklahoma and Lawrence W. Big Hair III of Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

In her earlier life she attended Zion grade school and graduated from Sequoyah High School. She had also attended Little Bighorn College in Crow Agency, Montana, and received many awards and scholarships due to her academic skills. Studies of Law, Development, Psychology, and Neurology were her most favorite subjects from a young age throughout her adult life. She was a homemaker and later had a focus on a career of oilfield work, construction and heavy equipment operating. She was employed with Ellsworth Construction LLC of Tulsa, OK.

She was a very loving, understanding, and stern woman that held Almighty Father above everything. She was very protective, firm, and graceful with her children and grandchildren. Mom always had a way with words when they needed to be addressed. Love was her language!

She was a hardworking woman that earned her keep and stood by her word. She was the meaning of grit. Her days away from work consisted of binge-watching crime TV, SVU, Seinfeld, and western movies. Her home and quality time is what made her. Washing dishes, doing laundry, or just sitting around with her children and grandbabies was her comfort zone. Laughing and smiling were her utmost characteristics that everyone recognized and enjoyed. She was a fanatic of the Steve Miller Band, Van Halen, Hank Williams Jr, Pow Wow music and of course her Oklahoma State Cowboys!

One thing that she always told her kids and grandkids, was to pray, live and be happy. Her most common phrase was '...all that good jazz.' God, family, and respect were very important to her.

She will be deeply missed! Her light shone upon every path she took and there weren't any strangers to her upbringing spirit. Mom, your miracle is alive. Family over everything.

Diiawachissik.