Everett Lee Nave Obituary (1932 - 2020)

Everett Lee Nave, 87, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at the Claremore Veterans Center in Oklahoma. He was born May 13, 1932 at the Claremore Indian Hospital to Louie Nave and Gussie (Nave) Smith. He grew up in Tahlequah, Oklahoma where he attended Sequoyah Indian School. Upon his delayed graduation, as he kept repeating the 11th grade, on purpose, might I add, so he could continue playing basketball, he went into the military. Did I mention he loved his sports? He was enlisted in the United States Navy, followed by the Army National Guard, and then the Army Reserves where he retired. Upon his honorable discharge from the United States Navy, he worked at various steel companies as a pipe fitter. After he retired, he worked for a company that helped disabled adults. He was a member of the Cherokee Indian tribe. He was able to speak Cherokee, but only minimally, as his mom tried to teach him when he was a small child and he couldn't stop laughing. So, as any fed-up mother would do, his mother finally gave up and said, "forget it!" ha. He was faithful to God since 1970, when he became a Christian, and continued to serve him until death. He loved attending church every Sunday and mingling with his friends. You could always catch him most mornings at his local breakfast joint, drinking hot, black coffee and his favorite breakfast foods. With breakfast being his favorite meal of the day, he could eat that all day, every day! Just make him a tall, cold glass of milk with each meal and he was completely happy! If you couldn't tell from the above description of his high school days, he loved his sports! You would always catch him watching and staying up to date with basketball and football, along with a big bowl of chocolate chip or black walnut ice cream. And when he wasn't watching sports, you know he had a good Western on. At the end of the day, Everett was the best man, son, father, husband, brother, grandpa, great grandpa, and friend. He loved and was loved deeply and will be missed. But we know he is in a much better place now surrounded and celebrating with everyone who knew and loved him. He is preceded in death by Louie Nave (father), Gussie Smith (mother), Geraldine Nave (wife), Thomas Nave (brother), Julie Archer (sister), Sue Nave (former wife), and Grace Hartman (former wife). He is survived by his siblings, Jimmy Ollis (brother) and wife Bobby, and Henry Nave (brother). His children, Charlet Chapman (daughter) and husband Jimmy, Steve Mears (son) and wife Vicki, Debbie Short (stepdaughter) and husband Jerry. His grandchildren, Jennifer Pacicca and husband Eric, Amanda Laughlin and husband Tyler, Jeremy Mears and wife Mariah, Chris Mears and wife LaCresha, Jimmy Chapman III, Shaun Williams and wife Jesseca. His great grandchildren 9 plus. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Lawnwood Freewill Baptist Church at 10:00 am. Arrangements made by Dillon Funeral Service in Sand Springs, Oklahoma.