Obituaries for April 12, 2018

Vera Yazzie Begay

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Vera Yazzie Begay, 70, of Tséhootsooí, Arizona, will be held Friday, April 13, at 10 a.m. at the Summit Funeral Home in St. Michaels, Arizona, with Lucinda Kaaloa officiating. Burial will follow at the Fort Defiance community cemetery.

Vera was born Sept. 3, 1947, in Tséhootsooí, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tsénjíkiní (Honey Combed Rock People Clan). She died April 9, 2018, in Tséhootsooí.

Vera graduated from Window Rock High School and was employed with General Dynamics from 1969 to 1974. Afterwards, she became a homemaker. She enjoyed cooking, taking long walks, caring for her grandchildren and spending time with her family.

Vera is survived by her sons, George P. Begay Jr. and Garrett Begay; daughter, Lucinda J. Kaaloa; parents, Willie and Sarah W. Yazzie; brother, Harrison Yazzie; sisters, Ella Mae Upshaw, Marie Klah and Shirley Y. Lewis; grandparents, Desbah and Thomas Watchman Sr.; and four grandchildren.

Vera is preceded in death by her husband, George P. Begay Sr.; daughter, Arlinda Kaye Yazzie; and brother, Thompson Yazzie.

Pallbearers will be Harrison Yazzie, Carlos D. Yazzie Jr., Devon D. Yazzie, Calvin Hardy and Harrison Gene Hardy.

Honorary pallbearers will be George P. Begay Jr., Garrett Begay, Richard K. Kaaloa II, Richard K. Kaaloa III and Kainoa K. Kaaloa.

A reception will take place at the Fort Defiance Chapter House following services at 1 p.m.

Summit Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mary B. Smith

REHOBOTH, N.M. — Funeral services for Mary B. Smith, 83, will be held Friday, April 13, at 10 a.m. at the Rehoboth Christian Reform Church in Rehoboth, New Mexico. Burial will follow at Sunset Cemetery.

Mary was born March 28, 1935, in Manuelito, New Mexico. She died Saturday, April 7, 2018, in Albuquerque.

Mary was a lifetime resident and was pastor of Manuelito Full Gospel Church.

In the past, Mary worked as a silversmith for Atkinson Jewelry. Her most memorable job was being a pastor sponsoring church meetings and ministering to others. She loved singing in church, feeding and taking care of other people, and spending time with her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mary is survived by her son, Hubert Smith of Gallup; daughters, Esther Arviso of Manuelito, Marilyn Smith of Amarillo, Texas, Bertha Smith of Manuelito, and Nora Smith of Gallup; and 20 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy Smith; daughter, Rosie Chischilly; and granddaughter, Deirdra McCabe.

Pallbearers will be Tyrone Chischilly, Darius Nelson, Joshua Nelson, Matthew Smiley, Skye McCabe and Theodore Arviso Jr.

Honorary pallbearers will be Hubert Smith, Jerome Chischilly, Myron Bickle and Tim Smith.

Rollie Mortuary is charge of arrangements.

Bobby Hardy Sr.

CHINLE — Funeral services for Bobby Hardy Sr., 61, were held April 11 at the Chinle Potter’s House. Interment followed at the Del Muerto community cemetery in Del Muerto, Arizona.

Bobby was born Jan. 31, 1957, in Ganado, Arizona, into the Naaneesht’ézhi Táchii’nii (The Charcoal Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water Clan), born for Dibélzhíní (Black Sheep Clan). His nali is Tábaahá (Water’s Edge); chei is Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together). He died April 4, 2018, in Gallup.

Bobby enjoyed rodeos, casinos and was very social. He loved fishing, camping, hanging out with his grandchildren, traveling, swimming and chewing Long Horn Long Cut Wintergreen tobacco.

Bobby is survived by Trina Hardy, Treva Hardy, Paulita Hardy, Debbie Hurtado, Tony Charley, Tyson Hardy, Bobby Hardy Jr., Bronston Hardy, David Charley, Sheldon Charley and Martha Hardy.
Bobby is preceded in death by Bahe Hardy Sr.

Pallbearers were Tyson Bob Hardy, Bobby Hardy Jr., David Charley, Sheldon Charley, Bahe Hardy Jr. and Joseph Hardy.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Herbert Murphy

GALLUP — Funeral services for Herbert Murphy, 70, will be held today, April 12, at 10 a.m. at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Burial will follow at the Rehoboth cemetery in Rehoboth, New Mexico.

Herbert was born June 16, 1947, in Rehoboth, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tsin sikaadnii (Clamp Tree Clan). He died April 6, 2018, in Iyanbito, New Mexico.

Herbert was born in Rehoboth, and spent most of his life in Phoenix, where he raised three children. He was a hard-working welder, artist, craftsman and one-time bull rider. To those who knew Herbert knew he was always a joking man and could shed light in any situation. He brought a lot of creativity and craftsmanship to his home and peers. He was very talented in his hobbies as a painter, builder and cook.

Herbert left behind three boys and seven grandchildren who all have very fond memories of him that will live on forever.

Herbert is survived by his sons, Tyrone Murphy, Brent Murphy and Christopher Murphy; sisters, Lula Sylversmythe, Pauline Morgan and Thelma McPhaul; brother, Lawrence Martinez; and seven grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Tyrone Murphy, Brent Murphy, Christopher Murphy, Jonathan Sylversmythe and Anthony Sylversmythe.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Joyce Elaine Hounshell

SHOW LOW, Ariz. — Graveside service for Joyce Elaine Hounshell, of Show Low, Arizona, will be held Saturday, April 14, at 11 a.m. at the Show Low cemetery (550 N. 9th Pl). Visitation will be held Friday, April 13, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Owens Livingston Mortuary (320 N. 9th St.) in Show Low.

On April 7, 2018, wife, mother, daughter, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away at the age of 71 following a long-term illness.

Joyce touched the hearts of all those she contacted through her genuine love and respect for all humanity. While reading and painting were her favorite hobbies, her loving relationships with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren gave her the most joy.

Joyce’s immense love for family was fostered by her dedication to the principles of the LDS church. She was the first member of her family to answer the calling to the religion.

Joyce and James were sealed in the temple for time and all eternity in 1978. Their marriage spanned over 55 years.

Additionally, she served the community of St. John’s as a school board member and was proud to be a licensed cosmetologist. Others know her from the many years that she worked, in various capacities, with medical doctors in both St Johns and the Show Low area. She could easily triage patients since she was previously a certified EMT.

Joyce was a benefit to her community and the rock of her family.

Joyce will be forever remembered by her husband and best friend, James; devoted children, Rhonda Jafri (Hasan) and Brian (Annell); grandchildren, Bo (Tamara), Sheldon and Gayla; and five great-grandchildren, Seth, Krysta, Audrina, Kailey and Briley.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Eunice Clark.

Francis Tolino

GALLUP — Funeral services for Francis Tolino, 88, were held April 11 at the Gallup Church of Christ. Interment followed at the family plot in Brimhall, New Mexico.

Francis was born Jan. 10, 1930, in Rehoboth, New Mexico, into the Bit’ahnii (Folded Arms People), born for Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). His nali is Áshiihí (Salt People); chei is Bilagaana. He died April 7, 2018, in Gallup.

Francis received his education in Fort Wingate, New Mexico, and was employed as a carpenter foreman, retiring from ONEO. He was also employed at BNSF Railroad and was a professional horsemanship and rancher.

Francis is survived by his daughters, Terricka F. Tolino Akdag, Lorena Brown and Maxine Brown-Ramirez; and sons, Addison Brown and Dennison Brown.

Francis is preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Tolino; sisters, Eleanor Tolino and Natta Sela Tolino; and brothers, Tom Kee Tso Tolino, Tom C. Tolino and Tommy Tolino.

Pallbearers were Zachary Akdag, Darión Martinez, Dominic Martinez, Alfredo Ramirez Jr., Alfredo Ramirez III and Ryan Randolph.

Honorary pallbearers were Addison Brown and Dennison Brown.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Thomas Woods

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Thomas Woods, 76, of St. Michaels, Arizona, were held April 7 at the Potter’s House in Fort Defiance, with Pastor Martin Haven officiating. Interment followed in Fort Defiance.

Thomas was born May 18, 1941, in Sheepsprings, New Mexico, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan). He died April 3, 2018, in Fort Defiance.

Thomas attended Phoenix Indian High School and Independent Baptist College in Dallas, Texas. He pastored at several Navajo gospel churches, Western Indian Ministries and KHAC Radio for over 25 years.

Thomas enjoyed reading and teaching the bible, fishing, the outdoors, and was a Dallas Cowboys football fan.

Thomas is survived by his wife, Lola Woods; sons, Raymond Woods and Aaron Woods (wife Kimberly); daughter, Tonya Willie (husband Robert); sisters, Dorothy Woods Stradley, Karen Romero and Kirby Shije; and eight grandchildren.

Thomas is preceded in death by his brother, Edison Woods; father, Sherman Woods; and mother, Lillian Togisala.

Pallbearers were Raymond Woods, Aaron Woods, Robert Willie, Clint Pete, Raymond Etcitty Jr. and Kendrick Lomayaktewa.

Honorary pallbearers were Ray Earl, Marvin Burr, Timothy Damon, Ernest Sam, Shane Baloo and Aidan Tom Woods.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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