Earlene Lucy Jones, 65, died Sept. 14, 2025, in Poplar. She was born on July 9, 1960, to Virginia Big Talk and Earl Jones Jr. She graduated from Poplar High School in 1979. She worked at the Poplar Hospital as a CNA. She also worked for many years at the Fort Peck Tribes Minerals Department. She later stopped working and became a homemaker and was always cooking or baking something delicious. She made awesome sugar cookies and peanut butter cookies and her peanut butter frosting was the bomb. She met Russell “Schmo” Black Thunder. To this union, their only son Matthew Earl Black Thunder was born. They later separated, but remained very good friends throughout the years. Matt was their world. She was very fashionable and was always dressed to the nines, matching from head to toe. With her hair down to her knees, she always a smile on her face. She was very passionate about her gardening and growing her sunflowers and always shared her harvest with everyone. She was an advocate of food sovereignty. She was also active in community organizations. She will be remembered for having a loving and caring heart. No matter who it was, she always stopped to listen and lend a helping hand. She gave her heart to God and attended church and Bible study at the Pentecostal Church of God. She loved going to church and held a special place for her church family. She was an animal lover. She would often feed the stray animals downtown. She is survived by her mother, Vivian Jones; sisters, DeAnna Jones and Marta Jones; brother, Mevin Hale Jr. of Englewood, Colo.; adopted son, Octavio Williams of Billings; and numerous grandchildren. She was preceded in death by brothers, Tony Lee, Guy, William Earl, Darrell Moses and Earl Jones III. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 11 a.m. at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment followed at Poplar City Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Albert W. Foote Sr., 71, of Wolf Point died Sept. 9, 2025, in Colorado. A wake will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at the Poplar Cultural Center. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment will follow at the Box Elder Cemetery in Poplar. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.

Matthew Earl “Matt-E” Black Thunder, 41, died Sept. 14, 2025, in Poplar. He was born to Russell E. Black Thunder and Earlene L. Jones July 2, 1984, in Sidney. Like in many native families, he was raised by his grandparents, Flora May Eagle Boy and Jay Sparvier. During those years living on “the Hill,” he spent a lot of time at his aunts’ and uncles’ home (Allen and Verdne). He and the boys would play kick the can, basketball, video games and take nature walks on Sundays. He attended Poplar Schools and graduated from Poplar High School. In 2011, he met Adriana Ruiz. They were married in 2017 and he gained bonus daughters, Kahomi, Angela, Patricia and Audrey. They divorced in 2022, but remained friends. He was currently working the garden at F.P.C.C. — which he loved to do. In past years, he was employed to do fencing. He was in pool leagues and enjoyed playing and being around his friends. He lived to cruise, sip and jam his music. He is survived by his grandmother, Vivian Jones; and sister, Yolanda Parshall. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 11 a.m. at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment followed at Poplar City Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.