Roberta Boyd
Roberta Joan “Bobbie” Boyd, 93, died Dec. 15, 2025, at Billings Clinic in Billings.
She was born June 18, 1932, in Wolf Point, the eldest of eight children born to Helen Sparks and George A. Boyd, Jr. She was raised on the family ranch 15 miles north of Brockton and attended school in Brockton and often stayed with her grandmother, Nellie Blackdog Boyd, who lived closer to town.
After graduating from Brockton High School in 1951, she attended college in Bozeman, earning a degree in nursing. While working at the Wolf Point hospital, she met Emory Emerson. They married in September 1953. They had four children: Roxanne, Roy, Eugene and Robert. They made their home in Brockton until their divorce in 1965.
She and the children traveled and lived a nomadic life. They visited many states, among them California, Arizona, Utah, Oregon and Washington. She worked in various jobs throughout those years using her expertise as an experienced seamstress and talented cook/baker to teach.
In her later years, she returned to further her education at Montana State University - Northern in Havre, receiving her RN degree. She nursed in Havre and Malta after graduation. She worked at A& S Industries as an occupational health nurse until their closure. She went on to work at Kicking Horse Job Corps in Ronan, teaching the nursing students until she retired.
She inherited her renowned father’s artistic talent. She painted and won awards and used different mediums. She was a proficient crafter and made stuffed bears and dolls for her grandchildren as well as being a skilled seamstress sewing clothing for her children.
Following once again in her father’s footsteps, she became a cattle rancher and son Roy was her steadfast partner in the venture. She lived in the mountains of Moiese, before moving home to Poplar and, finally, north of Brockton, with her beloved Herefords.
In her final years, she enjoyed simple living: overseeing the running of the ranch, cooking and baking for her son and friends. She enjoyed chatting on the phone with her family and friends and was an avid watcher of bull riding.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, George Jr., Eugene and Daryl; and her sisters, Winona and Judy.
She is survived by her children, Roxanne of Idaho, Roy Emerson Sr. of Brockton, Eugene Emerson of Oregon and Robert Emerson of Alaska; brothers, Lionel Boyd and Terry Boyd; sister, Patricia Menz; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 29, at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel. Interment was at Brockton Riverview Cemetery.








