Mercedes Rose (Yellow Hawk) Andrews was born August 10, 1936 at home south of St. Charles, South Dakota to Chris and Dora Yellow Hawk.  She died November 2, 2021 at the Lake Andes Senior Living Center in Lake Andes, South Dakota at the age of 85 years.

She grew up in the Milks Camp area and lived her life there.  Except for a short time when she and Hampton lived in Fargo, North Dakota so he could attend mechanic school.  She attended school at Marty, where she met many good friends.  She worked at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton with her mom, Dora.

When she was young, her family moved to Rapid City, South Dakota where they worked in Belle Fouche.  They rode the train there.  They also went to Clark, South Dakota to work in the Spud fields when it was time to harvest potato's.  While in Clark they lived in a tent.

On May 16, 1956 she was united in marriage to Hampton Ray Andrews at the courthouse in Burke.  They raised seven children: Barbara (Ivy) Timber, Ronald James, twins Judith and Judy (Neil) Hanson, Byron (Brenda) Andrews, Arlene and Kevin.

Mercedes worked at the Tee Pee Café in Bonesteel as a waitress.  She also worked at Head Start at the UCC Church as a cook.  She also worked for DSS in Burke with Alice Grant and attended many workshops with her.  She worked at Milks Camp Industries and she and Hampton served as foster parents.  She also work for Fort Randall Casino as a desk clerk and in housekeeping.

Mercedes was preceded in death by her husband, Hampton, her parents Chris and Dora, her uncle Collins, her sons Ronald and Kevin, her daughter Judith, her grandchildren Derek, Amber, Wilson, and Royce Yellow Hawk, Jr; her great-granddaughter Faye Yellow Hawk; her grandma Annie, her aunt Mae Roubideaux  and Evelyn and Sam Poor.

She is survived by her children; her grandchildren: Erica and April, Curtis, Ashley, Brandon, Barron, Brandi, Byron, Jr, Courtney and Kristy; her great-grandchildren: JT, Gian, Arraya, Dereka, Chasity, Lindsey, Kaylee, Dillon, Faith, Brayden, Bryson, Tehya, Trinity, Jaxson, Sienna, Laveya, Rexton, Zander, Zayden, Zariah, Kinser, Anunka, Kevin, Aaron, Alijah, Royal Yellow Hawk, Tiny Yellow Hawk and Annie Yellow Hawk.  Her great-great-grandchildren: James, Ty, Wyatt, Kynsley, Rylie, Ava, Adrian, Jaden and Layton.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Bonesteel City Hall in Bonesteel, SD.  A wake service will begin on Monday at the Hall.