Funeral services for Phyllis Lorraine Comes Flying, 80, of Fort Thompson, SD was held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, February12, 2025 at the Fort Thompson Community Center in Fort Thompson, SD with burial in the Christ Episcopal Cemetery at Fort Thompson, SD. Wake services were at 7:00 p.m., Monday and Tuesday at the Fort Thompson Community Center in Fort Thompson, SD.
Phyllis Lorraine Comes Flying was born on February 16,1944 to Melda (Red Water) Comes Flying and Floyd Comes Flying Sr. at Old Fort Thompson SD along the river. She was one of nine children from the Kin Ya Ku Family.
Phyllis attended elementary school and middle school in Gann Valley SD, where she later finished 8th grade. In her early years she enjoyed life in Old Fort Thompson then later moved to what is now modern-day Fort Thompson, as her original home place was evacuated to accommodate the Big Bend Dam. She often spoke of Old Fort and how she missed home.
Phyllis held numerous jobs throughout her life, one being a waitress at the Complex in Fort Thompson where she met her life long companion Bernard “Beep” Grey Owl. From this union a son Weldon Roy Comes Flying was born. In the later years she worked at the Lode Star Casino then the Tribal Hall as a Telephone Operator up into retirement.
Before meeting Beep she had an older son, Ellery “Elroy” Comes Flying. She loved her children very much and protected them, she did everything she could and then some when it came to raising her boys.
In her later years, Phyllis continued to work and be there for her family, friends and children. She faced diverse and difficult times, with the passing of her mother Melda and son Elroy in the year of 1992.
However, with her strong will, love and support from family and friends she continued to live life and help anyone who needed it.
In the year 2000, her first grandson was born Kason Payne Comes Flying. He is her pride and joy, she was there every step of his life and loved him very much.
In her later years she continued to be there for everyone as a friend and helped where she could. She enjoyed running a thrift store for a couple years. Then began helping by donating clothes and items to people in need she received from her church friends.
She will always be remembered for her kind, generous and loving heart. Phyllis enjoyed sending handwritten cards for her friends and family for every major Holiday or event, this will surely be missed.
Phyllis was true to her faith, ensuring she made it to church every Sunday. She played a big part in the Episcopal Church in the early 2000’s taking care of it, holding fundraisers and making candy bags at Christmas for the children. She attended church and other church activities up until she was no longer able to, however she still held strong in her faith. Phyllis also believed in her Indian way of life and did what she could to support it throughout the years.
Phyllis’s kind soul will forever be remembered, along with her generosity, humility, humor and big heart. She had many friends and church friends who helped her every step of the way tending to the needs of her people. One quote from Phyllis was “I love my people” and she showed it exponentially.
Phyllis gratefully shared her life with her mother, father, two sons, companion and grandson; along with the rest of her family, siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Phyllis is survived by her son Weldon Comes Flying of Fort Thompson, Grandson Kason Comes Flying of Stephan and Eagle Butte SD, Niece Lynnette Walking Eagle of Fort Thompson and nephew Orville Walking Eagle of Fort Thompson and many nieces, nephews and many, many good friends and relatives.
Phyllis is preceded in death by her mother Melda, Father Floyd Sr, son Elroy, lifelong companion Beep and all of her siblings, nieces and nephews who had gone before her. Along with all her special friends she cared so much for.
Let us never forget Phyllis and what she did to touch each of our souls and may her memory live on forever and ever.
