Roberta (Dog Soldier) Taylor, 69, of Mitchell

Roberta died Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell. Funeral services are 1 PM, Friday, August 27, 2010 at the White Swan Community Center in Lake Andes. Burial is in Holy Fellowship Episcopal Cemetery in Greenwood. Wake services will be 8 PM, Wednesday and Thursday at the the Community Center.

Roberta Joyce was married three times. Once to Gary Hopkins, once to Harold Miller Sr. and until recently Kenneth Oliver Taylor.

To add to all her wonderous years she brought into this world eleven beautiful kids. Their names are as follows: Gary Hopkins Jr., Russell Dean Hopkins, Jacquelyn Rose Hopkins, Harold Dean Miller Jr. & LaVelva, Lyle Wayne Miller & Adeline, Pamela Gayle Miller, Robert Dale Miller, Nicole Marie Miller, Roderick Allen Grey Owl, Monique Michelle Miller, and Richard Allen Picotte Miller.
She made her life in Mitchell, S.D. with the love of her life Kenneth Oliver Taylor.

Roberta had a vision after the passing of her daughter Pamela Gayle Miller and her four children in a tragic fire on May 8, 1990. Roberta's (Birdie) vision was to be a quilter of many amazing quilts. She made by hand 18 star quilts in honor of her daughter. She continued to make star quilts for the remaining years of her life. She made a massive total of more than 300 handmade star quilts, including nearly 40 Eagle design star quilts for Marty Indian School graduates. Roberta has quilts all over the United States and as far away as India and Japan. The stitches cannot be easily counted and the hours of her life dedicated to this monumental feat cannot be matched. The emotions of the person when receiving a Roberta Taylor star quilt is one of enduring inspiration and everlasting love.

Roberta will be greatly missed by those who seek to find the little Indian women who makes the beautiful star quilts born of pain and the love of losing a daughter and takojas. Her story is one that will inspire unity for all time.

She is survived by her mother Sophie Rose SongHawk, her brothers Marvin Joseph Dog Soldier - Lovell, Everdale Wayne SongHawk and Arthur Ather Dog Soldier. Her sisters Marlys Faye Miller and Anita Paas. Roberta is also survived by her children: Gary Hopkins Jr. Russell Dean Hopkins, Jacquelyn Rose Hopkins, Harold Dean Miller Jr. & LaVelva, Lyle Wayne Miller & Adeline, Pamela Gayle Miller, Robert Dale Miller, Nicole Marie Miller, Roderick Allen Grey Owl, Monique Michelle Miller, and Richard Allen Picotte Miller; 68 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

Preceding her in death are her Grandmother Josephine Pretty Feather - Cook, Grandfather Moses SongHawk, and Father Silas Dog Soldier - Lovell; her brothers Delbert Dog Soldier, Maynard Dog Soldier, Kenneth (Skeeter) Archambeau, Vernon "Chick" Miller, Edward "Tully" Miller, Gilbert "Gibby" Miller, Robert "Bobby" Miller; her sisters Marlene Kay Dog Soldier, Teresa Kaye Dog Soldier, Delores Mortensen; her daughter Pamela Gayle Miller and unborn baby girl; a daughter-in-law Crystal Lynn Miller; four grandchildren DeJoe Vaughn St. John, Degrey LeMar St. John, Demiego Paul St. John and Marissa Grace Miller.