Eunice Alfrey

Wake Services: at the Poplar Cultural Center on February 26, 2004 at 3:30pm

Funeral Service: at 10:00am on February 27, 2004 at the Poplar Cultural Center

Interment: will follow in the Fort Kipp Cemetery

Our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother went to be with the lord on February 22, 2004. Her family, friends and community will dearly miss her. She was born to Andrew Shields and Florence Lambert Shields in Drew MT, northeast of Fort Kipp on October 3, 1919.

She was respected for her traditional lifestyle and well known for her singing, dancing and the making of dancing regalia for family. Back in 1931 her picture was taken and she was the first woman to wear a jingle dress. She used Quaker and Coleman gas cans for the jingles. She was well known for her back up singing behind the drum. She was affectionately known as the Indian Kitty Wells. Her daughters Diane, Joyce, Sandra, and adopted daughter Eleanor McKay accompanied her.

She taught language and culture at Brockton and Poplar Schools. Also at Dawson Community College at Glendive, MT. She was a consultant for the writing of a book by the Northwest Regional Laboratories in Portland, OR. The book was published for use in Public Schools. All will miss her knowledge of our culture and language. She taught people to sing. Eunice was employed as one of the first Community Heath Representatives; The Fort Peck Tribes employed her and Jerry as janitors of over thirty years.

She married three times. She was married to Cleveland Owens Jr., and Clarence Birthmark respectively. Her third husband of 42 years, Jerry Alfrey, preceded her in death on June 27, 2003.

Her parents, children Joyce, James, Darryl, and Lynn Birthmark, and adopted daughter Eleanor McKay also preceded her in death. Her siblings, Olive Ackerman, Lillian Ogle, Fred Shields Sr., Mabel Reddoor, Julian Shields Dr., and Edward Shields Sr. also preceded her.

Two daughters, Diane Martin and Sandra Birthmark, both of Poplar, MT, survive her. Two sons Sheldon Birthmark and Nolan Birthmark both of Poplar MT. In addition adopted sons Dwight Williams of Idaho, Al Marshall of Idaho, Tom Christian of Poplar, MT, Louie Youpee of Poplar MT, Gordon Mantee of Saskawean, CA, Floyd McKay of Ft. Totten, John H. Morsette of Poplar, MT, Scotty Harrington of Poplar, MT and Dr. Quinten Thomas of Colorado. One adopted daughter Jonnie Harrington of Poplar, MT.

www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.