Berva Dawn Sorensen Taylor

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/116191389/berva-dawn-taylor

Berva Dawn Sorensen Taylor was born October 6, 1929 to J. C. (Doc) and Mabel (Mimi) Sorensen in Salmon, Idaho. She died August 21, 2013 in a care facility in Coleman, Texas. Berva was the youngest of six children raised on a ranch near Camas, Idaho. Her father, Doc, founded the original Flying U Rodeo Company.

"In 1949, Berva was chosen as a Sponsor Girl for New York Madison Square Garden and Boston Garden rodeos. She was part of an elite team to promote rodeo to city dwellers. In 1950, Berva was chosen by Rodeo Ben, the Rodeo Tailor, as the woman he would use for the first pair of women's jeans by Blue Bell Wrangler. Berva was featured in Look magazine and Hoofs and Horns as the original Miss Blue Bell Wrangler.

"She married professional calf roper and 4th generation Texas rancher, Dan Taylor of Doole, Texas, in 1952. Berva was a Life Member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and served as Vice President in 1960 and as Contract Director in 1961 of the Girls Rodeo Association. From 1984 – 1992, Berva secretaried the National Finals Steer Roping held at the Lazy E Arena. Berva secretaried the Time Event Championship of the World in Guthrie, Oklahoma from its beginning in 1985 through 1999. In 1995, Berva was selected to time the Dodge National Circuit Finals in Pocatello, Idaho and secretary the Texas Steer Roping Circuit Finals. She retired from rodeoing in 1999.

"Berva was inducted into the Rodeo Heritage Museum in Dublin, Texas, the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in Belton, Texas and received the Tad Lucas Award at the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

"She served as President of the Coleman County Circle C Cowbelles for 12 years and was a member of the Gouldbusk Home Demonstration Club and H.A.N.D.S. rodeo group.

"Berva is survived by daughters Dana Taylor and Babette Taylor; grandchildren Troya and husband Todd Harris; Makesha and husband Shawn Harris; and Diamond Shipman. Great grandchildren Royce, Riley, Trotter and Tallye Harris; two sisters and many relatives in Idaho and Montana. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two brothers and one sister.

"No services are planned at this time.

"Please make memorials to Hospice of the Concho Valley, P. O. Box 471, San Angelo, Texas 76902, Holiday Hill Nursing Home, 245 State Highway 153, Coleman, Texas, or Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, Texas 79605 or a charity of your choice."