Pearl Hopkins

Pearl E. Hopkins, 81, of Poplar died Oct. 4, 2020, at the Roosevelt Memorial Nursing Home in Culbertson.

She was born Nov. 14, 1938, in Poplar to Mary and Thomas Buckles.

She married Robert Hopkins Sr. on Feb. 20, 1959, and together they had seven children: Robert Jr., Vicky Hopkins, Debbie Hopkins, Barney Hopkins, Penny Hopkins of Poplar and Shannon Hopkins of Wolf Point. They also raised a grandson, Dion Hopkins, and granddaughter, Lorraine Hopkins, of Waco, Texas.

Survivors also include 16 grandchildren and 21 greatgrandchildren; and sisters, Louise Ell and Gloria Chopper.

She graduated from Poplar High School in May 1957. She was a homemaker until her youngest child attended school, then was employed as community health representative. She attended Antioch University/NAES College and received her bachelor of arts degree in 1984.

She was a tribal councilwoman serving on the Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board for 28 years and four months. 1977-79; 1979-81; 1981-83; 1985-87; 1987-89; 1989-91; 1991-93; 1993-95; 199597; 1997-99; 1999-01; 2001-03; 7/2011-10/11; 2013-2015; 2015-2017, she retired in 2017.

She had many hobbies. She liked sewing, reading, baking, gardening, canning, making dry meat, doing crafts and, as a homemaker, she loved raising chickens, turkeys, ducks and even wild geese. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and attending their many functions while they were in school.

She stressed the importance of getting an education to her grandchildren and the many young people she encountered. She always took the time to listen to the people of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and would try to assist them anyway she could.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Hopkins Sr.; son, Kevin Hopkins; daughter, Julie Hopkins; granddaughter, Paulette Bemer; brothers, Camelle, Fred, Raymond and Arthur Buckles; and sisters, Lorraine Red Dog, Rebecca Garcia and Ethel Longee.

Private services were held under the direction of Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel.