Pearl Ann Drywater

Pearl Ann (Wickson) Drywater was born at her home in Kenwood, OK on October 13, 1941, the daughter of Jesse Sr. and Rosa (Proctor) Wickson. She was raised in a Cherokee speaking home with her three siblings, Jesse Jr., Raymond and Leona. She attended Sequoyah Boarding School, earning her high school diploma. She went on to study Childhood Education at Bacone Community College and completed her bachelor’s degree in Education at Northeastern State University. It was her desire to return to Sequoyah High School where she taught various subjects including Cherokee and bead work classes. Pearl met and married the love of her life, Lee Drywater. Together they raised one son, Emman and two daughters, Emma and Lora. Pearl loved her family and had an appreciation for the simple things in life. Her favorite place was in the quiet, peacefulness of home. She was caring and soft spoken. After she was no longer teaching, she moved into the role of Matron for the school before her retirement. As a fluent Cherokee speaker, Pearl was very proud of her Native American heritage and worked to keep their culture alive though basket weaving and traditional bead work. Even into her later years, she loved to work on native crafts and was a faithful member of Elm Tree Baptist Church until her health would no longer allow. After which, she moved to Tulsa to be closer to family and was called to her eternal home on Sunday, October 14, 2024 with family by her side. On the rim of her 83rd Birthday, Pearl joined the heavens for the most joyous Birthday celebration. Her memory will forever be kept in the hearts of those that knew and loved her.

She has gone on to join her husband, Lee Drywater, parents, Jesse Sr. and Rosa Wickson, one son, Emman Lorin Drywater, one brother, Raymond Wickson, one sister, Leona Tiger and three grandchildren, Joshua Doyeto, Kandice Washington and Heather Lee Drywater.

Her memory lives on through her two daughters, Emma Washington and husband Adam of Tulsa, OK and Lora Bowman of Norman, OK and one brother, Jesse Wickson Jr. and wife Cheryl of Tulsa, OK. Her legacy lives on through her nine grandchildren, Jennifer Gray, Chastine Washington, Brandon Lee Drywater, Jordan Michael Drywater, Joaquin Lorin Drywater, Jessica Lee Drywater, Julia Marie Drywater, Jacklyn Michelle Drywater and Jocelyn Drywater, great-grandchildren, Ezekiel Washington, Jacob Allen, Jordan Dobbs, Elaina Dobbs, Holden Gray and along with two more grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of other loved ones.

Serving as pallbearers are Ezekiel Washington, Jacob Allen, Jon Wickson, Thomas Wickson, Kyle Willson, Logan May, and Robert Arth. Her honorary pallbearers are Jordan Dobbs, Ernie Tiger and Jonathan Gray.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 from 2:00pm until 5:00pm at Reed-Culver Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 10:00am at Reed-Culver Chapel with Pastor DJ McCarter officiating. She will be laid to rest at Agent Cemetery in Moodys.

A reception will follow services at Elm Tree Baptist Church at 1390 East Crafton Street in Tahlequah.