Virginia White Feather
September 30, 1935 ~ July 31, 2023
Esther Virginia “Ginnie” White Feather, 87, of Dupree, passed away Monday, July 31, 2023, at Cheyenne River Health Center, Eagle Butte.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. MDT, Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Eagle Butte, with a procession at 9:00 a.m. from the four mile east of Eagle Butte. Burial will follow in St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cemetery, Cherry Creek.
Esther Virginia Eagle Chasing was born September 30, 1935, to Narcisse and Gracie (Lillibridge) Eagle Chasing. She attended school at Old Cheyenne Agency, SD.
On January 16, 1959, Virginia married Lamont White Feather at Dupree, SD. They welcomed six children. In 1970, they moved to Dupree where she lived the remainder of her life.
Virginia began her work career in 1972 as a MCH worker then in 1973 became a CHR worker. On July 18, 1977, she began as a Community Health Representative for the Dupree Area. In April of 1979, she received her G.E.D. and has had many accomplishments since then. She received her Basic CPR Training in October of 1977 in Rapid City. In 1980 she became an Emergency Medical Technician and would help with the Teton Ambulance Service when needed. She had numerous training courses to help her better serve her clients, from Vitals training, HIV, STD, Counseling, Co-dependency, Alcoholism, and Self Defense to name a few.
Ginnie has dedicated 37 years of her life to the people of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. She has served under numerous CHR Directors, and Tribal Chairmen. The life of a CHR is very difficult because you must leave your family and tend to the ill and injured, travel to the hospital in all types of weather, blizzards, ice storms, thunderstorms, and extreme heat.
It takes a special person to be a CHR, as they show dedication, compassion, and empathy. CHR stands for CHALLENGE…HELPFULNESS…RESPONSIBILITY. Virginia stands for all of this and more.
Virginia is survived by her children: Robin (Grady) Claymore, Mickey L. White Feather, Kennedy J. White Feather, Gail L. White Feather, and EvAnn H. White Feather; grandchildren: Jayde, Rikki, Bryce, and Brad Claymore, Lani M. Fleury, Mikki C. (Matthew) White Feather-Hostert, Jenna White Feather, Willo C. Pretends Eagle, Sydnee L White Feather (Chris Makes Him First), Tyson J. (Kelli) Thomspon, Charla J. White Feather (Parker Ducheneaux), and Joseph Brewer; great grandchildren: Brielle E, Kyan J, Kellen G, Britnee R, Jack, and River Claymore, McKayla Trotter, Kali, Kenidi and Kaydence Hostert, Dallas White Feather, Darcey and Dadrian Garreaux, Dacia White Feather, Dacey Garreaux, Tyler Garreaux Jr., Lamont White Feather, Sonja Gill, Pria Ducheneaux, Alliyah and Chloe White; cousins: Aaron & Ironi Swan, Shirley Swan Haynes & daughter Holiday; brother: Ronald Eagle Chasing; nieces & nephews: Rhonda, Ramona, & Ronica Eagle Chasing, Iris Eagle Chasing, Donna Straighthead, Jason White Horse, Jessica White Horse Hernandez, Jevona, Sam, and Yamni White Horse, Craig, Brandon, Braden, and Katie Dupris, DeeAnne Eagle Chasing, Kate Condon, Kathleen Eagle Chasing and Lachelle Eagle Chasing.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Narcisse & Grace (Lillibridge) Eagle Chasing; husband, Lamont Sidney White Feather; daughter, Michelle LouAnn White Feather; sisters: Laverne, Pauline, and Patricia Eagle Chasing; brothers: Glen and Patrick Eagle Chasing; nephew, Troy Straighthead; nieces: Delema and DeAnne Eagle Chasing; grandchildren: Allen John “Jon-Jon” White, Tyler Thom and Kortnee Kristyn Claymore; and grandmother, Sarah Ward.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Virginia’s arrangements.
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In loving memory of my cousin Virginia Esther White Feather (1935-2023).
During our childhood in Cherry Creek, SD, we experienced much happiness and joyful fun. I recall one day when some pigs passed by us while we were playing and we decided to put my brother Aaron on one of the pigs. The pig suddenly ran off with him as we hilariously chased after them to remove him, while Virginia kept yelling run, run. And the time we went to a pow wow event, across the water at Cherry Creek’s then Congregational Church. Instead of dancing, Virginia, others, and I were busy trying to undue the pennies from earrings my Auntie gave me so that
we could buy candy. At another Indian dance event we and others got up to do the Charleston, a dance we learned at Faith, SD., and got kicked out. These were unforgettable, happy memories of Virginia Eagle Chasing-White Feather and others that are very dear to me.
As an adult, Virginia faced many challenges on her own
terms. She was a modern traditionalist who, when her
husband died, became a single mother who worked hard to keep her family together. In doing so, she was an example for others to do the same in order to gain their independence. When she retired, she continued to help the elders by providing them transportation.
Throughout her life Virginia never forgot her beloved mother Grace and father Narcisse Eagle Chasing. Virginia, you are now with them. You will be missed.
Your cousin, Shirley Swan-Haynes & family.
Our community has lost a great lady. She was a person that we thought would be her forever, always there, always helping and keeping everyone in line. She was like an energizer bunny. She kept her traditions and language but was able to live in both
worlds. My prayers for the family during this difficult time. 🙏🏽💝