Obituaries for Aug. 4, 2016

Robert Yellowhair Sr.

SNOWFLAKE, Ariz. — Funeral services for Robert Yellowhair Sr., 78, of Snowflake, Arizona, were held July 30 at The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, Temple View Chapel, in Snowflake. Interment followed at the Reed Hatch Memorial Cemetery in Taylor, Arizona.

Robert was born Aug. 8, 1937, in in Na’ah’tee Canyon, Arizona, into the Zuni Running Into Water Clan, born for Tsé njikini (Cliff Dwellers People Clan). His paternal and maternal clan is Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He died July 25, 2016, in Tucson, after fighting many health conditions.

At an early age, Robert studied oil painting in Carson City, Nevada, and has since painted thousands of paintings. He honorably served in the U.S. Army as a ranger, part of the 101st Airborne Division.

In the late 50s, Robert met and married the love of his life, Louise Mae Yellowhair. His children soon came along and he has been a wonderful husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend.

Robert was a world known person and was an artist and buckle/saddle maker. He enjoyed roping, hunting with his family, and spending time with family and friends.

Robert was former president of the All Indian Rodeo Cowboy Association and qualified for the INFR seven times as a team roper.

Robert is survived by his wife, Louise Mae Yellowhair; sons, Carl (Michelle) Yellowhair, Johnny (Joy) Yellowhair, Loren (Sharalee) Yellowhair, Robert Yellowhair Jr., and Uriah Washington; brothers, Skeet Yellowhair, Jimmy Yellowhair, Jerry Yellowhair, and Bert Yellowhair; sisters, Betty Yellowhair, Rose Edsitty, Susie Begay, and Judith Yellowhair; and 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Phoebe Yellowhair; daughters, Carol Ann Yellowhair, Desbah Lou Yellowhair and Tina Taylor; and siblings, Danny Yellowhair, Lucy Rockwell, Samuel Yellowhair, and a baby sister that died after birth.

Arrangements by Silver Creek Mortuary in Taylor, Arizona.

Charlene Tapahe Herrera

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Charlene Tapahe Herrera, 74, of Window Rock, will be held Saturday, Aug. 6, at 1 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Mission in Fort Defiance with Rev. Cynthia Hizer officiating. Burial will follow at the family plot in Old Coal Mine, New Mexico.

Charlene was born April 1, 1942, in Coal Mine, New Mexico, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Kin Łichíi’nii (Red House Clan). She passed away July 28, 2016, in Payson, Arizona.

Charlene received her bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, and master’s degree from UCLA in Berkeley, California.

Charlene is survived by her daughter, Luralene Tapahe of Tacoma, Washington; mother, Susie Tapahe of Tacoma, Washington; brother, Loren Tapahe of Mesa; sisters, Vivian Tapahe of Fort Defiance, and Emolind Tapahe of Gallup, New Mexico; and six grandchildren.

Charlene is preceded in death by her husband, William Herrera; father, Tom Tapahe; brothers, Tommy Tapahe, Melton Tapahe and Murvyn Tapahe; and sister, Imogene Tapahe.

Pallbearers will be Cayden James, Carter James, Tyler Newell, Loren Tapahe, Emery Tapahe, and Ethan Tapahe.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ron Wood, Emerson Tapahe, Eugene Tapahe, and Peterson Zah.

A reception will take place at the Good Shepherd Mission Parish Hall in Fort Defiance, following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Helen J. Thompson

GRANTS, N.M. — Funeral services for Helen J. Thompson, 86, of Whitehorse Lake, New Mexico, were held Aug. 2 at the Compassion Mortuary in Grants, with Pastor Daniel Sanders officiating. Interment followed at Grants Memorial Park.

Helen was born Nov. 19, 1929, in Crownpoint. She passed away July 27, 2016, in Farmington.

Helen is survived by her son, Lorenzo Thompson; daughters, Juanita Begay, Mable Larry, Marita Farley and husband Albert, Corrina Allgire and husband Martin, and Martha Fernando and husband Robert; and grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Helen is preceded in death by her husband, Jimmie Jake Thompson Sr.; son, Jimmie Junior Thompson; daughter, Marlene J. Fraker; parents, Roy Jones and Norma Abeita Jones; sister, Cecila Mescale; and brothers, Robert Jones and Richard Jones.

Pallbearers were Dexter Jay Begay, Martin Allgire, Xavier Allgire, Pierce Allgire, Neon Farley, and Cody Farley.

Honorary pallbearers were Lorenzo Thompson, Albert Farley, Alex Wytewa, Robert Fernando, Aiden Maloney, and Phillip Contreras.

Compassion Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Derrick Virgil Notah

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Derrick Virgil Notah, 29, of Fort Defiance, were held Aug. 1 at the Assembly of God Church in Fort Defiance. Interment followed at the family plot in Fort Defiance.

Derrick was born Dec. 22, 1986, in Fort Defiance, into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan). He died July 27, 2016, in Fort Defiance.

Derrick attended Window Rock High School and Universal Technical Institute. He was employed at Rico’s Quick Lube in Gallup, New Mexico.

Derrick is survived by his parents, Jay and Henrietta Notah; sister, Nadine Notah; and maternal grandmother, Doris Benallie.

Derrick is preceded in death by his grandfather, Larry Benallie Sr.; grandmother, Jean G. Notah; and grandfather, Bennie Notah Sr.

Pallbearers were Orren Lee, James Begay III, Wilbur Begay Jr., Nathan Crawford, Steven Peterson, Larry Anderson Jr., Lainar Peterson, and Jerold Cecil.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Roxana M. Yazzie

GALLUP — Funeral services for Roxana M. Yazzie, 32, were held July 29 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Interment followed at the St. Michaels cemetery in St. Michaels, Arizona.

Roxana was born Jan. 21, 1984, in Fort Defiance, Arizona, into the Tó Dích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Naaneesht’ézhí Táchii’nii (The Charcoal Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water Clan). Her nálí is Bit’ahnii (Within His Cover Clan); chei is Kin Lichíi’nii (Red House Clan). She died July 17, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona.

Roxana received her high school diploma and enjoyed writing, hiking, listening to music, doing her own nails, playing games, watching movies, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.

Roxana is survived by her mother, Rosita Barney; stepfather, Jesse Barney; daughter, Natesa DuBoise; son, Damion DuBoise; sisters, Richelle Yazzie and DeAngel Barney; and brothers, Ace Barney and Daren Team.

Roxana is preceded in death by her father, Richard Yazzie.

Pallbearers were Ace Barney, Jesse Barney, Bennett Yazzie, Julius White, Dewayne Pino, and Mario Francisco.

Honorary pallbearers were Layne Martine and Armon Martine.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

---