Obituaries for April 14, 2022

Gertrude Parker

GALLUP — Graveside service for Gertrude Parker, 79, of Fort Defiance, will be held today, April 14, at the Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Gallup.

Gertrude was born July 12, 1942, into the Dibéłzhíní (Black Sheep Clan), born for Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan). She passed away April 10, 2022, in Gallup.

Gertrude attended Albuquerque Indian School and dedicated over 42 years working for Navajo Housing Authority.

Gertrude is survived by her daughter, Raenae Hayes; sisters, Aileen Begay, Lorraine Kesterke and Linda Montoya; and 26 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.

Gertrude is preceded in death by her parents, Frances Parker Lincoln and William Parker; and brother, Ambrose Lincoln.

Pallbearers will be Darrell Bennett, Robert Bennett, Adam Parker, Keith Toddy, Ethan Toddy, Kellan Smith, and Harland Perkins.

Honorary pallbearers will be William “Jimmy” Hayes, Shawn Parker, Donte Bennett, Brandon Bennett, Justin Morgan, and Jerald Morgan.

Summit Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Oscar Doctor Sr.

BELLEMONT, Ariz. — Graveside service for Oscar Doctor Sr., 90, of Flagstaff, Tolani Lake, and Kayenta, Arizona, was held April 11 at the Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery at Camp Navajo in Bellemont, Arizona.

Oscar was born in 1931 to the late David Doctor Sr. and Bessie Nopah Doctor in Kayenta. He was Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Dibéłzhíní (Black Sheep Clan). His maternal grandfather is Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water) and paternal grandfather is Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge). He passed peacefully on the morning of April 4, 2022.

Oscar was a hardworking, outgoing, funny, humble, and respectful Navajo veteran. He was community and civic oriented throughout his life.

Oscar served in the U.S. Army in Bamberg, Germany, as a young man and returned to Flagstaff to raise a family. He worked for numerous years at the Navajo Army Depot in Bellemont, as an ammunition handler and as a member of the Arizona National Guard. After his time at NAD, he began a long career as a business agent/laborer for Laborers’ Union Local 383 in Flagstaff, working on many construction projects and creating lifelong friendships throughout the state.

Oscar retired in the early 1990s in Tolani Lake, where he was actively involved with the local senior and veteran communities. His family will always remember his stories and historical knowledge of growing up on the Navajo Nation.

Oscar is survived by his children, Oscar Jr. (Ellen), Louis (Melanie), Linda (George), Michael, and Kyle (Sharon); siblings, Lucy Canyon, Betty Dixon, Tulley Doctor Sr., and Sallie Sage; and seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Oscar is predeceased by his wife, Roberta; and brothers, Peter Doctor Sr., David Doctor Jr., and John Nix Sr.

Arrangements courtesy of Lozano’s Flagstaff Mortuary and Crematory.

Julia A. Watchman

MILKY WATER, Ariz. — Graveside service for Julia Ann Watchman, 81, of Fort Defiance, will be held Friday, April 15, at 11 a.m. (MST), at the To’Abe’e family plot in Milky Water, Arizona.

Julia was born Dec. 30, 1940, in Albuquerque. She passed away April 7, 2022, in Flagstaff.

Julia attended Baca/Prewitt Boarding School and Richfield School District in Utah. She worked for Sawmill Daycare in Sawmill, Arizona, and General Dynamics in Fort Defiance.

Julia was a seamstress who sold, bought and traded jewelry. She enjoyed reading the bible and attending church.

Julia is survived by her brother, Jerry Wauneka; and sisters, Margaret Keith, Jennie Lopez and Christine Wilson.

Julia is preceded in death by her husband, Leo Plummer; son, Ray Dean Tso; grandson, Myron Tso; mother, Elizabeth Nabaa Wauneka; and father, Joe Loley.

Pallbearers will be Brandon Shonnie, Ranley Berry, Rodney Berry, Lydell Keith, Jeremy Keith, and Kellen Shirley.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Wauneka, Vincent Lopez Jr., Dennis Keith Jr., Kessler Bigpond, Patrick Roan, Benny Wilson, Allen Roanhorse Jr., Alvin Bryant Sr., Sean Ahasteen, and Jaden Redhair.

A reception will take place at Margaret Keith’s residence (old Crystal Housing, House No. 4) in Crystal, New Mexico, following service.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Susie K. Emerson

GALLUP — Funeral services for Susie K. Emerson, of Yah-Ta-Hey, New Mexico, were held April 13 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Pastor Harry Largo officiating. Interment followed at the Sunset Memorial Park in Gallup.

Susie was born Aug. 11, 1948, in Rehoboth, New Mexico, into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). She passed away April 6, 2022, in Yah-Ta-Hey.

Susie was a silversmith, medicine woman healer and homemaker. She enjoyed word search puzzles, sewing, traveling to her great-granddaughter’s softball games, and talking with her great-grandson.

Susie is survived by her daughter, Sharon King; brothers, Edison King, Davison King and Wilson King; sisters, Bernice King, Rena Betsoi and Ruby King; and one grandchild and three great-grandchildren.

Susie is preceded in death by Notah Chee, Ethel King, David King, Harrison King, Dennison King, Stevenson King, and Stella Platero.

Pallbearers were Jason King, Isaiah King, Wilson King, Michael King, Tristen Sandoval, and Robert Livingston.

Honorary pallbearer was Glenson King.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Gloria Yazzie

HOUCK, Ariz. — Graveside service for Gloria Yazzie, 61, of Burntwater, Arizona, will be held today, April 14, at 10 a.m. (DST), in Houck, Arizona, with Alvin Bitsilly officiating.

Gloria was born May 19, 1960, in Fort Defiance, into the Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan). She passed away April 17, 2022, in Flagstaff.

Gloria graduated from Many Farms High School and was self-employed. She enjoyed doing beadwork, making hair ties and was a Dallas Cowboys fan.

Gloria is survived by her brothers, Herman Frank, Phillip James Sr., Irvin Frank, and Michael Yazzie; and sister, Pauline Begay.

Gloria is preceded in death by her parents, Agnes and Leonard Yazzie.

Pallbearers will be Alijandrew Welch, Wesley Welch, Bryson Begay, Wilbert Begay, Clete Begay, and Johansen Wilson.

Honorary pallbearer will be Vernon Rawls.

A reception will take place at Anna Watchman’s residence (Querino Housing, House No. 17), following service.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Markayla L. Hoskie

HOUCK, Ariz. — Graveside service for Markayla L. Hoskie, 23, of Sanders, Arizona, will be held today, April 14, at 10 a.m., at the old Houck community cemetery, in Houck, Arizona, with Evangelist Francis Begay officiating.

Markayla was born Oct. 23, 1998, in Gallup, into the Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan), born for Hispanic. She passed away April 8, 2022, in Phoenix.

Markayla is survived by her parents, Loretta and Gibson Cheney; brothers, Galvison Cheney and Galvin Cheney; sister, Aaliyah Cheney; and grandmother, Lillian Hoskie.

Markayla is preceded in death by her brothers, Gavin Cheney and Gallaway Cheney; sister, Alassy Cheney; grandfather, John Hoskie; and great-grandmother, Mable Lewis.

Pallbearers will be Gibson Cheney Jr., Shaun Haskie, Galvason Cheney, Jeffery Begay, Bertram Hoskie, and Jeremiah Jones.

A reception will take place at the Lonnie Griffin Building (next to fire station) in Sanders, following service.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

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