North Indian Cemetery

Pawnee, Pawnee County, Oklahoma

© Poteet Funeral Home
Submitted by: Terry Dudley

Sara Clementine Patterson Howell

May 12, 1949 ~ October 26, 2025

Sara Clementine Howell, 76, of Pawnee, Oklahoma, journeyed to the stars while surrounded by her loved ones on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Pahuhkirikskat Tiwari, Walks in the Moonlight, lived her life as beautifully as she was named.

Sara Clementine was born in Pawnee, Oklahoma in 1949 to Phillip Gover and Reva Lenore Patterson. Sara Clementine graduated from Chinle High School, Arizona in 1968 and then attended Haskell Indian Nations University. She returned to Pawnee to work for the Indian Health Service as an executive billing administrator for many years, retiring in 2015.

Sara Clementine met her perfect match in William Howell. Each with their biting wit and humorous banter will be fondly remembered. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married on March 22, 1980.

Sara Clementine and William could often be found on the various sports fields and gyms throughout Oklahoma and beyond supporting and encouraging their children and grandchildren. They also spent much of their time traveling and supporting various cultural events throughout Indian Country.

Sara Clementine was rooted in her Pawnee traditional ways and was known as the Auntie that showed her love and care through "gentle" reminders on how to do it right. She took great pride in supporting William's service as wife of the head chief, kuska haru ceremony, and the Pawnee Indian Veterans Association. She was a fixture at Pawnee Homecoming where she would care for family and friends with her mussy corn soup, William's fall-off-the-bone BBQ ribs, prayer and was quick to welcome all who came to visit the Howell family camp. She endeavored to follow the kuska haru teachings ensuring a properly run camp at all times. She stood by William's side while he served as head chief and in the many leadership roles.

Even as her health waned her love for family, culture and an opportunity to tease never ceased.

Sara Clementine was preceded in death by her parents Phillip and Reva Gover of Pawnee, Oklahoma, her husband, William "Bill" Howell, and siblings Pauline Cox, Bill Gover, Sandra St. Clair, Phillip "Chief" Gover II, Garry Gover, and is survived by siblings Phyllis Morales, George "Butch" Gover, and Charles Gover; Son, Douglas Gover-Miller; Daughters, Angela Reid, Lisa Howell, Angel Riding In, and Reva Howell Garcia and grandchildren Sara Llamas Howell, Arianna Riding In, Jaslene Garcia Howell, Yessenia Garcia Howell, Nathanial Riding In, Vivianna Riding In, Lillianna Riding In, Annesa Davis, Aaron Gover, Aubrey Gover, Jaylene Good Fox, Jolene Gover-Miller, Becky Howell, William Wade Howell, Brandon J. Galvan, Bradley J. Galvan, Ethan W. Galvan, Emma C. Galvan and many auntie, nieces, nephews, grandkids and great grandkids.

A prayer service is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28th at the Pawnee Ceremonial Roundhouse starting at 7 pm. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 29th at 10 am at the Pawnee Ceremonial Roundhouse, followed by a gravesite service at the Pawnee Indian North Cemetery returning to the Roundhouse for a traditional Mourners Feast.