In Memory of Barbeth Dawn Real Bird

This article was originally published by Four Points Press on January 30, 2022.

Barbeth Dawn Real Bird, 37, passed away from a tragic car accident on January 25, 2022.

Barbeth was born three minutes after her twin sister Amber in Crow Agency, Montana on November 21, 1984, to Anne Beth Real Bird and Lawrence Pretty Weasel Jr. She weighed 1 lb. 10 oz., as the twins were delivered three months before their due date, she struggled at the beginning, but she displayed admirable strength from her birth with a vast will to live.

Her Crow Name, Alliichiwe Baaxpaash / Shares the Holy Word was given to her by her kaale Agnes Pretty Weasel. Barbeth was a member of the Bad War Deed clan and a child of the Greasy Mouth clan.

Barbeth was always a kind, gentle and loving soul from the time she was born. She was a perfect example of Colossians chapter 3, as she clothed herself with tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, and above all, she clothed herself with love which she shared with everyone she came in contact with. Her love was immense, coming from a tender, fragile, and compassionate heart. Barbeth brought a peaceful presence when she entered any room.

Barbeth grew up in Garryowen with her mom, grandmothers, grandfathers, and siblings Ken Henry and Amber. She enjoyed riding Crystal Gem, an old barrel horse of her mothers, and swimming in the Little Big Horn River on Medicine Tail Coulee and began frequenting the sweat lodge at a very young age.

She attended Crow Agency Public School, Hardin Middle School and Hardin High School. She was meticulously neat in everything she did. Barbeth worked at various jobs as an administrative assistant for the Crow Tribe throughout her lifetime.

Barbeth’s faith in the Lord was strong and she knew to always call on Jesus even in the midst of all her trials. Her faith carried her into Heaven where she was greeted by her Grandpa Richard, Auntie Lisa and all her loved ones who have passed on before.

Barbeth loved having “I love you, sister” talks with her sisters. She had an unbreakable bond with Amber as nothing could separate them, and they knew they would always have each other. She took Amber’s children as her own and was a wonderful aunt to her nieces and nephews. Barbeth loved spending countless hours with her many family members, on both her maternal and paternal sides. She frequently would stop by and surprise her loved ones, often spending the night before making her way to her next stop.

Barbeth became the mother of Fallon Layne in 2005 then welcomed Nayvie Layne in 2020. Her daughters were the light of her life, and she strived every day to be the best mother ever. She loved watching Fallon’s athletic talents as a cross country runner and barrel racer in the rodeo arena. She enjoyed watching Nayvie blossom into her toddler years by avidly recording each new milestone as she grew. Being a mother was her greatest joy in life.

Barbeth is preceded in death by her grandpa, Richard Real Bird; aunt, Lisa Pretty Weasel; uncle, Gregory Pretty Weasel; and sister, Tassey Robinson.

Barbeth is survived by her daughters, Fallon and Nayvie; mother, Anne Beth; father; Lawrence; sisters, Amber (Keene) Bends, Cori, Haylee, Alyssa, and Raylee Pretty Weasel, and Kathleen Real Bird; nieces and nephews Kelci, Kadie, Kade, Kennedy, Kyrie and Kaya; brothers Ken Henry (Sena) Real Bird and Jesse Pretty Weasel; kaales, Laura Pickett Real Bird, Agnes Pretty Weasel, Birdie Real Bird, Regina Goes Ahead, Linda Covers Up, Sarah Pretty Weasel, Alice Iron, and Virjama Plain Bull; grandpas, Larry Pretty Weasel, Joe and Lloyd Pickett, Henry, Kennard and Jimmy Real Bird; aunts, Tammie Hugs, Lauren Medicine Horse, Lana Robinson, Mary Pretty Weasel, and Rose Lee Real Bird; uncles, Mark, Gary, and Jess Real Bird, Mike Not Afraid, Frankie Hugs Jr., Gale and Clarence Three Irons.

Barbeth’s extended families include Wallace (Cooper, Pease, Laura Wallace Singer, Susie Wallace Spotted, Sam Big In Ground families), Otter Stays In The Water, Brass, Starr, Medicine Crow, Medicine Tail (Real Bird, Deer Nose), Other Medicine, Pretty Paint, Morrison, Pickett, and Canadian Families, Goes Ahead Pretty, DeCrane, Bull That Shows, Pretty Weasel, Walking Bear, Williamson, and Shane.

Our family is large and too numerous to mention, we apologize if we missed anyone.

A rosary service will be recited Sunday, Jan. 30 at 3 p.m. at Bullis Funeral Chapel in Hardin. A celebration of Barbeth’s life will be held on Monday, Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. at the multi-purpose building in Crow Agency. Burial will follow at the Garryowen Cemetery.