Onnica Pipes Obituary (1970 - 2026) - Springfield, Missouri

In Loving Memory of Onnica "Onnie" Pipes Onnica "Onnie" Pipes passed away unexpectedly on June 19, 2026, at the age of 56 in Springfield, Missouri. To know Onnie was to know someone who loved deeply, gave freely, and never hesitated to help another person. She had a remarkable ability to make people feel like family, whether they had known her for decades or had just met. If you needed her, she was there—no questions asked. Born in California, Onnie's life took her across the country and around the world. Even as a young girl, she was remarkably creative and determined. She designed and sewed her own junior high graduation dress, excelled in volleyball, and became such a talented archer that she came close to competing at the Olympic level. Those who knew her best weren't surprised—she had a gift for throwing herself wholeheartedly into whatever she set her mind to. As a military wife for more than 20 years, she built homes and communities in Arizona, England, Kansas, Florida, Colorado, New Mexico, and finally Missouri. Along the way, she raised two children, welcomed countless friends into her heart, and touched the lives of families wherever military life led them. Her faith was a guiding force throughout her life. She shared a deep personal relationship with God and found joy in serving others, including participating in a mission trip to India that brought eye-care services to underserved communities. For more than two decades, Onnie worked in the eye-care profession, helping patients with compassion and kindness. Later, she combined her love of organization and bringing people together by operating an event planning business focused on military members and their families. Most recently, she turned her lifelong passion for creating into a crafting business, where her imagination and talent brought joy to so many. Creativity wasn't simply something Onnie enjoyed—it was how she showed love. She could sew, mend, tailor, or alter just about anything. She hemmed countless pairs of pants for her son, lovingly created her daughter's senior prom dress, and was always eager to help someone with a project or a handmade gift. There was almost always something on her sewing table, because she always had another idea waiting to come to life. When she wasn't creating, she loved spending time with the people who mattered most. She cherished her family—both the one she was born into and the one she chose along the way. She was the keeper of family ties, never thinking twice about driving whatever distance was necessary to bring people together for holidays, birthdays, graduations, and life's biggest milestones. To Onnie, family wasn't measured in miles but in showing up for one another. In 2011, she met the love of her life, Jeff, and they built a life together full of joy, baseball, and gin rummy. She adored her dogs, enjoyed evenings playing cards and dominos, appreciated a glass of Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling, and could always be counted on to cheer for the Arizona Diamondbacks, whether they were winning or losing. She especially loved attending Savannah Bananas games whenever she had the chance and showing her silly side. Her home reflected who she was. Wonder Woman decorations, lighthouse collections, nautical treasures, unfinished craft projects, birthday cards waiting to be mailed, country music playing in the background, and favorite shows like Law & Order, Yellowstone, Sons of Anarchy, and ER all painted the picture of a woman who embraced life wholeheartedly. She even had one sworn enemy: mosquitoes. Those who knew Onnie will remember her infectious laugh, her generous spirit, her steadfast determination, and how she showed up for them time and time again without question. They will remember that she never met a stranger, that she remembered birthdays, that she was happiest when surrounded by family, and that she somehow always found a way to make everyone feel welcome. Onnie is survived by her devoted husband, her son, her daughter, her beloved granddaughters, her parents, her sister, her brother, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends who became family through the love she so freely gave. A celebration of Onnie's life will be held on July 11, 2026, in Springfield, Missouri. Additional details will be shared with family and friends. While she traveled all over the globe, she spent most of her child and adult life in Central and Northern California where she was surrounded by family and found many friends. A celebration of life will also be held in California this Fall for her west coast family and friends. Though her time with us was far too short, the love she poured into others lives on through her children, grandchildren, family, friends, and every person fortunate enough to have known her. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, creativity, generosity, unwavering faith, and a reminder to all of us that family is not only who you're born to—it is also who you choose to love. She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever carried in our hearts.