Naomi Sue Yellowbear

Naomi Sue Yellowbear, 40, of Ethete, Wyoming, passed away on March 5, 2026. She was born on July 7, 1985, in Riverton, Wyoming, to Byron B. Yellowbear and Jean Karen (Yellowplume) Yellowbear.

Naomi grew up in the Ethete area. She attended St. Stephens and Wyoming Indian Schools and later Arapaho Charter School, where she received her high school diploma. She went on to study Criminal Justice in college. A devoted Catholic, she found deep fulfillment in attending church, sweats, and sundances, and took great pride in helping during ceremonies. She was honored to be initiated into the War Bonnet Society through her grandmothers Mary Bear and Florita Soldierwolf, an honor she carried with pride throughout her life.

Naomi cherished her time with family and cared for her nieces and nephews as if they were her own. She was a talented seamstress and a wonderful cook who loved sewing and preparing meals for others. She also enjoyed attending powwows and craft fairs and listening to country and traditional Native American music. Over the years she worked at 789 Deli, as a delivery driver for Pizza Hut in Lander, and in housekeeping. Those who knew her remember her as a caring, loving, and patient woman who touched many lives.

Naomi spent most of her life in Ethete but fondly recalled her time in Santa Ana, California, and often spoke of wanting to return there one day to show her daughters and grandson the ocean.

She is survived by her husband, Brandon James Brown; her adopted sons, Patton, Windyboy Yellowplume, Jerrod Friday Jr., Andin Oldman, Bryce Armstrong, Donavan Underwood, Jonathan Underwood, David Oldman, and Gabriel Oldman; her daughter, Mabel Mary Sunrhodes; her grandson, Kalvin Royce Yellowbear; her adopted daughters, Tazlyn Jenkins, Medallyon Yellowbear, and Tylene Oldman; her goddaughter, Maggie Perry; nephews Benny Moss and Jesse Moss; and two grandchildren. She is also survived by her parents, Jean Karen Yellowbear and Byron Yellowbear Sr.; her brothers, Byron Yellowbear Jr., Theron Willow, Jude Warren, Jason Armstrong, Mike Yellowplume, Eric Armstrong, Lloyd Goggles, Chester White, Calvin White, Ronald White (Marie White), and Derrick Willow Sr.; and her sisters, Kerri Yellowbear, Sereta “Sweets” Yellowbear, Alvena Oldman, Melvena Oldman, Andrea Oldman, Stephanie Armstrong, Terri Smith, Jerri Smith, Natalie Brown, Francis Mejia, Ruth Sunrhodes, La Rae Brown, Danielle Brown, Mariah Friday, Eddie Biglake, Ronda Felter, and Chala Brown.

Naomi was preceded in death by her daughter Kathryn Brown and by many beloved family members including Ruth Biglake, Sassite Underwood, Andrew Yellowbear Sr., Maryrose Yellowbear, Violet Yellowbear, Calvin Yellowbear Jr., Eloise Yellowbear, Charlene “Macy” Yellowbear, Vincent Yellowbear Sr., Inez Whiteman, niece Sassite Underwood, nephew Charlie Washington, her maternal grandparents Royce and Alberta (Welsh) Quiver, her paternal grandparents Mary Bear, Philip Bear, and Calvin Yellowbear Sr., and her uncle John R. Yellowplume and Brother Austin Goggles.