Obituaries for April 23, 2025

By Navajo Times | Apr 24, 2025 | Obituaries |

Grayce A. Kellogg

FORT DEFIANCE – Funeral services for Grayce A. Kellogg, 87, will be held Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m., at the Family Church Assembly of God in Fort Defiance.

Grayce was born Jan. 13, 1938, in Fort Defiance, into the Tsénjíkiní (Cliff Dwellers People Clan), born for the Wolf Clan of the Eastern Band Cherokee. She passed away April 10, 2025, at the Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center in Gilbert, Arizona.

Grayce A. Kellogg, Jan. 13, 1938 – April 10, 2025

Grayce was born and raised in Fort Defiance, to Alfred and Katherine Hardy. She graduated from Navajo Methodist Mission School in Farmington, and attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where she earned her degree in nursing.

Grayce began her nursing career at Methodist Medical Center in Dallas, where she met her husband, Wilbur Earl “Bill” Kellogg Jr., while he was stationed at Grand Prairie Naval Air Station. She married Bill on Dec. 26, 1959, at the Navajo Bible Church in Fort Defiance.

Grayce and Bill had two children, Michael Kellogg and Patricia “Tish” Kellogg. Her key lesson for her children was, “I don’t want to hear ‘I can’t.’”
One of Grayce’s greatest joys was helping those in need and being a caring presence for others. While Bill served in the United States Marine Corps at El Toro Naval Air Station and Da Nang, Vietnam, she worked as a nurse in Santa Ana, California.

After Bill’s honorable discharge, they returned to Fort Defiance, where Grayce worked as a nurse at the Fort Defiance Indian Health Hospital for 31 years.
A devoted sports fan, Grayce loved the Dallas Cowboys, Phoenix Suns, and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Grayce is survived by her son, Michael Kellogg; daughter, Patricia Kellogg; brother, Joseph Hardy; and six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Grayce is preceded in death by her husband, Bill Kellogg; parents, Alfred J. Hardy Jr. and Katherine Hardy; and sister, Katherine Perkins

Grayce’s care is entrusted to Cope Memorial Chapel in Gallup.

Lynn M. Betancourt

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. – Funeral services for Lynn Michele Betancourt, 55, of St. Michaels, Arizona, will be held today, April 24, at 10 a.m., at the St. Michaels Church with Father Peter Michael Short officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Michaels community cemetery.

Michele Betancourt, May 16, 1969 – April 13, 2025

Lynn was born May 16, 1969, in Ganado, Arizona, into the Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). Her nálí is Naakaii dine’é (Mexican); cheii is Ałná’noodóó dine’é. She passed away April 13, 2025, in El Paso, Texas.

Lynn attended St. Michael Indian School and Window Rock High School. She was employed with TSA Security.

Lynn is survived by her sons, Luis Ray Betancourt and Ryan Betancourt; daughter, Shanda Kim Betancourt; father, Herbert A. Harvey; brothers, Duane Harvey, Michael Kirk, Faron Harvey, and Chad Harvey; sisters, Cheryle Litzin, Monique Skeet, Angelique Cotte, and Laureen Chischilly-Keyonnie; grandfathers, Clive Clyde McIntosh and Frank Harvey; and two grandchildren.

Lynn is preceded in death by her mother, June Louise McIntosh; and grandmothers, Louise Ann Tso (Begay) and Dolly Denet Harvey (Yazzie).
Pallbearers will be Duane Harvey and Faron Harvey.

Honorary pallbearers will be Luis Ray Betancourt, Ryan Betancourt, Herbert Harvey, and Joshua Chischilly-Keyonnie.

A reception will take place at the St. Michaels Church Friary following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Herman T. Begay Jr.

DEL MUERTO, Ariz. – Funeral services for Herman T. Begay Jr., 43, of Chinle, were held April 21 at the Del Muerto Community Church with David Boots Wagner officiating. Interment followed in Del Muerto.

Herman was born Sept. 30, 1981, in Fort Defiance, into the Naasht’ézhí Táchii’nii (Zuni/Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). His nálí is Tł’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom People); cheii is ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People). He passed away April 10, 2025, in Santa Fe.

Herman received his GED and worked at the federal court building in Santa Fe.

Herman is survived by his mother, Hilda Ben; sons, Isiah Begay and Brian H. Begay; daughters, Angelita T. Begay and Samantha Begay; brother, Therman Ben of Tsaile, Arizona; sisters, Esther Ben of Aztec, New Mexico, Herberta Lopez of Kirtland, New Mexico, and Davina Johnson of Chinle; and paternal grandparents, Alfred and Rose F. Begay of Chinle.

Herman is preceded in death by his sons, Jacob and Jaken Begay; brothers, Francis Ben and Shonnie L. Ben; sister, Linda Ben; uncles, Allen Begay, Alfred Begay Jr., Andrew Begay, and Larry Begay; nephew, Fernando G. Diaz; father, Herman T. Begay Sr.; and maternal grandparents, Guy and Isabelle Wilson.

Pallbearers were Edward W. Diaz Jr., Erik H. Lopez, Gilbert H. Lopez Jr., Gilbert Lopez Sr., Therman Ben, and Lance Johnson.

Honorary pallbearers were Hilda Johnson, Herberta Lopez, Esther Ben, Rosita Cisco, Rose M. Guy, Mary Burbank, Carol Begay, and Philip Begay.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Anderson Parkett Jr.

CROWNPOINT – Funeral services for Anderson Parkett Jr., 31, of Whitehorse Lake, New Mexico, were held April 23 at the First Navajo Baptist Church in Crownpoint, with Pastor Matthew Holtsoi officiating.

Anderson was born Sept. 21, 1993, in Crownpoint, into the Tó’áhání (Near the Water Clan), born for Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan). He passed away April 15, 2025.

Anderson was employed as a nursing assistant and was a member of the Native American Church. He enjoyed drawing, singing, helping others, carpentry, ranch work, traveling, cookouts, and spending time with his children and family.

Anderson is survived by his companion, Jopita Begay; son, Major Parkett; daughters, AnderaLynn Parkett, Brooklynn Parkett, Adilina Parkett, and Adelyn Parkett; mother, Rosilyn Smith; brothers, Sullivan Parkett, Thurmin Lee, Travis Lee, Andre Parkett, Adriano Parkett, Braxton Parkett, and D’Leh Dziahileva-Roslyakova; and sisters, Anderiana Parkett, Bianca Parkett, Adriana Parkett, and Amber Largo.

Anderson is preceded in death by his father, Anderson Parkett Sr.; maternal grandparents, Rose Betone Smith and Tom Smith Sr.; and paternal grandparents, Frances Ration Platero and Mack Parkett.

Pallbearers were Sullivan Parkett, Edmond Smith, Armando Bennett, Tevin Enrico, Rance Williams, and Alden Billie.

Honorary pallbearers were Thurmin Lee, Travis Lee, Andre Parkett, Adriano Parkett, Braxton Parkett, and D’Leh Dziahileva-Roslyakova.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.