Angela Plainfeather

Angela Ruby Plain Feather, momma, Kaala, sister, aunt, Clan Aunt, and friend, gained her angel wings. Ruby's life goal on this earth was to meet her Lord and Savior in Heaven and she did that on the evening of December 9, 2020 in Billings, Montana with her family by her side. Ruby was born on September 7, 1933, the oldest daughter of Earl Alexander and Mary (Other Black Bird) Plain Feather in Elbowoods, North Dakota. She was a member of the Greasy Mouth Clan and a child of the Big Lodge Clan. Right after she was born, she was given her first Indian name “Awe'sheebiawaaa'tchiilish” (Fortunate Hidasta Woman) by Joe Mandan, who was ready to keep and raise her as his own. She was also given the Indian name “Bialaaxpishe” (Outstanding Woman) by Bob Spotted Arm “Baachichiilish”. She later gave this name to her Granddaughter Jacklyn Pretty On Top. Ruby grew up in Pryor, Montana with parents and her siblings. Ruby started her education at the St. Xavier Boarding School in St. Xavier, than attended St. Charles Mission School in Pryor where she graduated the 8th grade. She attended Edgar High School and graduated in 1951. After high school, Ruby attended Rocky Mountain College and earned an Associates Degree in Home Economics. She began her work in Elementary Education at Eastern Montana College in Billings, and had two classes to finish before the duties of motherhood brought her home to Pryor. As a young girl, Ruby, along with her brother Raphel, enjoyed loading up in the wagon with her Grandpa Plain Feather and Grandma Lives High, and would make the two-day trek to Crow where they would visit relatives. It would take them one month to visit all their family in Crow, Lodge Grass, and Wyola, and would finish their trip staying in St. Xavier with the Little Owl family. Ruby grew up with a Cowgirls heart, as she loved horses. She helped her Dad train and would hot-walk his racehorses. She became the 1954 Arrow Creek Rodeo Queen and the first reigning Crow Fair Rodeo Queen in 1955. She reigned with beauty and elegance. Raising children was an important part of Ruby's life. She helped raise her youngest brother Roland since he was 5 years old. She also took in many of her nephews, nieces, and grandchildren into her home and called them her own. Ruby instilled the love of horses and the true meaning of horsemanship in her children, as her son Lionel trained horses, Kenny became a jockey, daughter LeeAnn became an excellent ranch hand, and daughter Fannie became a barrel racer. Ruby was taught to cook by her mother and was taught the art of making dry meat by her Grandmother Family gatherings were important to Ruby and she would cook Sunday dinners, bake pies, make fry bread and yeast bread for whomever sat at her table. Providing for her family was a responsibility she never shirked. She worked as a teacher's aide for the Crow School and Pryor Elementary School, was the head cook for the Pryor Head Start, and worked for the Pryor Senior Citizens Center as the Head Cook for ten years. Ruby would also take the time to help her sister Judy at the Youth Camp in Hungry Horse during the summers. She also served on the 107 Committee for six years. Ruby enjoyed and worked hard in her position with the Crow Language Consortium at the Little Big Horn College in Crow Agency for the last five years. Prayer and the Word of God were the center of Ruby's life. Serving the Lord was a blessing that Ruby took very seriously. She was saved at the age of 18 at a house meeting in Pryor. Since that time, Ruby has been vigilant about her walk with Jesus. She was often called upon by her Clan Children, family, and friends to pray for them, which she did with a loving heart. Ruby would travel to numerous places, such as San Carlos, Arizona and Toppenish, Washington with Harold Stone and Harold and Violet Enick, and served as song leader. She would also hold house meetings at her home and minister to those wanting to share in the Word of God. Ruby was also a member of the Crow Tobacco Society. Going to the mountains and berry picking with family was something that Ruby always enjoyed. Her trips to Rui Doso Downs in Rui Doso, New Mexico and the Pendleton Round Up in Pendleton, Oregon were two of her favorite life high lights. Ruby always claimed George Strait as the husband of her and her Big Lodge sisters. Her summer was never complete without going to Red Lodge to picnic and attend the 4th of July rodeo. During the 2019 District Tournament, Ruby was given the honor of accepting the Championship trophy that the Plenty Coups Lady Warriors earned, which she proudly held over her head. She was the Lady Warriors' number one fan. Ruby has joined her loved ones who have gone on before her; her son, Earl Rock, her parents, brothers Leo, Samual, Raphel, Lee, Clyde, Raymond, and Merle Plain Feather; sisters, Shirley Plain Feather Pickett and Judy Plain Feather Bryant. Her long time friends, Gloria Goes Ahead Cummins, Clara Smart Enemy Big Lake, and Theda Smart Enemy Eagle Man. Ruby is survived by her children; LeeAnn (Jackson) Pretty On Top, Fannie (Craig) Cliff, Lionel and Kenny Ward, Woodrow “Shorty” Plain Feather, Lujuanna Plain Feather, Mary Gayton, Orin (Diane) Pickett, Robert Clarence Pickett, LaNaya and Jessie Plain Feather, Titus Bryant, Shannon (Ron) Bradley, Scottie, Jason, and Danny Merle (Mandy) Plain Feather, Alexander Plain Feather, Danielle Plain Feather, Elias and Tanner Plain Feather, Yvette Ward, Darian Smart Enemy, Jimi The Boy, Sonny Gayton, and Skylar Plain Feather; granddaughter Morgan Old Elk; sisters, Elsie Faith Wounded Face, Janet Stewart, Nina Yellow Tail, and Julie Ann Hugs, brothers, Danny (Mary Ruth), Roland (Kathy) Plain Feather, Leo Stewart, and Mike Stewart; adopted children, Aneda Talbert, Margee Laird, Casey Green, Ellsworth Jr (Paulie) DeCrane, Carlson “Duke” (Ginger) Goes Ahead, Alvin Jr (DaNee) Not Afraid, Ross (Roberta) Whiteman, and Georgia (Calvin) Buckingham; nieces: Olie Costa, Maureen Rock Alone; and childhood friends, Agnes Goes Ahead Pretty Weasel and Geneva Whiteman. Ruby is also survived by her extended families: Katherine Old Crow and family, Warlene Comes Up and family, Martha King, Sharon, Leta, and Sheila Rides Horse, Pamela Little Light and family, Shirleen Glenn and family, Stops, Black Bird, Bull Tail, Hugs, Rides Horse, DeCrane, Spotted Bear, Bird Hat, Smart Enemy, Goes Ahead, Plain Bull, Little Owl, Red Wolf, Stewart, Dawes, Black Hawk, Yellow Tail, Bad Bear, Bull Over the Hill, Medicine Crow, Red Star, Holds, and Rocky Boy families; Chief Goes Out, Iron Makerm Writing Bird, Top Sky, and Buffalo Robe. Our family is large, please accept our apology if we missed anyone, it was unintentional.