Obituaries for April 23, 2026

 

Norma F. McCabe

LEUPP, Ariz. – Funeral services for Norma Francis McCabe, 82, of Leupp, Arizona, will be held Saturday, May 2, at 10 a.m. (MST), at the Leupp Presbyterian Church with Richard Charging Eagle officiating.

Norma was born May 7, 1943, in Tolani Lake, Arizona, into the Kinłichíi’nii (Red House People Clan) and Tł’ízíłání (Many Goats Clan), born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). Her nálí is Tł’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom People). She passed away April 12, 2026.

Norma attended preschool and middle school at Tolani Lake Day School and the five-year high school program at Intermountain School in Brigham City, Utah. She earned a certificate in accountancy at Southwest Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, and a certification in lay ministry at Cook Christian School in Tempe, Arizona.

Norma also earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a Master of Divinity at the University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa.

Norma worked as a dog sitter in San Francisco, at the Cosmetic Semiconductor Plant in Los Angeles, nurse assistant in Las Vegas, Nevada, accountant for the All Pueblos Culture/Indian Center in Albuquerque, accountant at Davis Chevrolet in Tuba City, chief clerk at the Tuba City Courthouse, and at Grand Canyon Presbytery in Phoenix.

Norma was also employed as an ordained pastor at Kayenta Presbyterian Church, Trinity Presbyterian Church in Chinle, Tuba City Presbyterian Church and Fort Defiance Presbyterian Church.

Norma enjoyed sewing, reading books, watching movies, traveling, doing mission work for the churches, preaching the gospel, and singing, consulting and mentoring others.

Norma is survived by her husband, Eddie McCabe; daughters, Milinda Benallie and Calandra Charging Eagle; son, AJ Goldman; brother, Buster Thompson; sisters, Betty Kelly and Imogene Fuson; and seven grandchildren.

Norma is preceded in death by her mother, Ethel Thompson; father, Yellow Singer; brothers, Henry K. Yazzie and John Thompson; sisters, Theresa Begay/Monero, Vesta Nelson, Elizabeth Monero, Lolita Thompson, Mary L. Begay, Peggy James, Natalie Begay and Mary H. Creamer; and twins, Bessy and Boy Thompson.

A reception will take place at the Leupp Presbyterian Church following services.

Director’s Choice Mortuary Services oversaw arrangements.

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Lorraine K. Nez

DILKON, Ariz. – Funeral services for Lorraine K. Nez, 80, of Dilkon, Arizona, were held April 21 at the Dilkon Nazarene Church. Interment followed at the Dilkon cemetery.

Lorraine was born March 25, 1946, in Castle Butte, Arizona, into the Tótsohnii (Big Water Clan), born for Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan). Her nálí is ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People); cheii is Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge). She passed away April 15, 2026, in Flagstaff.

Lorraine is survived by her children, Edison Davis, Lorena Paddock, Morgan Nez and Janice Nez; siblings, Bruce Paddock, Eleanor Yazzie, Andrew Paddock and Maxine Paddock; and five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

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Anthony D. Milford Sr.

FORT DEFIANCE – Funeral services for Anthony D. Milford Sr., 86, of Sawmill, Arizona, were held Feb. 19 at The Family Church in Fort Defiance, with James Bennett Jr. officiating. Interment followed at the Rainbow Ridge family plot in Fort Defiance.

Anthony was born May 5, 1939, in Fort Defiance, into the ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan), born for Bįįh Dine’é Táchii’nii (Deer People of the Red Running Into the Water Clan). His nálí is Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge); cheii is Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water). He passed away Feb. 14, 2026, in Sawmill.

Anthony attended school in Fort Defiance, and Brigham City, Utah, graduating from Riverside Indian School in Anadarko, Oklahoma. He attended engineering school in Socorro, New Mexico, and served six years in the U.S. Army and National Guard.

Anthony worked as a medical aide at Fort Defiance Indian Health Service, road construction with Crownpoint Branch of Roads, and road maintenance foreman with BIA Branch of Roads in Fort Defiance, beginning in July 1972 and retiring in May 1994.

Anthony enjoyed a simple life and appreciated time with family. He was known to all as a soft spoken, dedicated, hard worker. One of his favorite pastimes was playing billiards. He also enjoyed reading the National Geographic magazine and watching the History Channel.

Anthony is survived by his wife, Lillian C. Milford; sons, Gerald S. Milford of Ganado, and Anthony D. Milford of Fort Defiance; daughters, Lori Cross of Sawmill and Tatiana Milford of Fort Defiance; brothers, Elmer L. Milford, Steven Milford Sr., Ronald Milford, Karl Atcitty and Danny Atcitty Jr.; sisters, Delores Hoskie and Carolyn Atcitty; and 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Anthony is preceded in death by his sons, Dwayne D. Milford, Clifford R. Begay and Brandon A. Milford; parents, Leo Milford and Lillian Dahozy Atcitty; brothers, Stanley Milford Sr., Earl W. Milford and Eugene G. Atcitty; grandson, Tarron Milford; maternal grandparents, William and Rose Dahozy; and paternal grandparents, Shay and Margaret Milford.

Pallbearers were Korey Davison, Michael Ruiz, Darion Smith, Avery Thomas, Rudy Dickson, Caleb Dickson, Reyeshaud Becenti, Francine Begay and Lester Chee.

Honorary pallbearers were Gerald Milford, Anthony Milford Jr., Elmer L. Milford, Steven Milford Sr., Ronald Milford, Karl Atcitty, Danny Atcitty Jr., Delores Hoskie, Carolyn Atcitty, Mary Benally and Helen Tsabetsaye.

Green Meadows Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

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Hilda W. Johnson

DEL MUERTO, Ariz. – Graveside service for Hilda W. Johnson, 81, of Del Muerto, Arizona, will be held today, April 23, at 10 a.m., at the Del Muerto community cemetery with Rev. Boots Wagner officiating.

Hilda was born July 19, 1944, in Del Muerto, into the Naasht’ézhí Táchii’nii (Zuni/Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan). Her nálí is Honágháahnii (One-walks-around); cheii is Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge). She passed away April 14, 2026, in Farmington.

Hilda attended Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, Utah, and was employed at Chinle Unified School District as a cook at the elementary school.

Hilda is survived by her son, Therman Ben of Tsaile, Arizona; daughters, Esther Ben of Aztec, New Mexico, Herberta Lopez of Kirtland, New Mexico, and Davina A. Johnson of Chinle; brother, Nelson Wilson of Rock Point, Arizona; and 27 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Hilda is preceded in death by her husbands, Shonnie Ben of Del Muerto, David Johnson of Valley Store, Arizona, and Herman Begay of Chinle; sons, Francis Ben, Herman Begay and Shonnie L. Ben; daughter, Linda Ben; brother, Kee Chee Wilson; and parents, Guy and Isabelle Wilson.

Pallbearers will be Erik Lopez, Antonio Yazzie, Gilbert Lopez Jr., Therman Ben and Gilbert Lopez Sr.

Honorary pallbearers will be Herberta Lopez, Esther Ben, Davina Johnson, Leonard Halwood, Eleanor Thomason and David Wilson.

A reception will take place at the New Testament Holiness Church in Del Muerto, following service.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

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Salena Tsosie

CHINLE – Funeral services for Salena Tsosie, 67, of Chinle, were held April 17 at The Potter’s House Christian Center in Chinle, with Leonard Pete officiating. Interment followed in Chinle.

Salena was born Jan. 28, 1959, in Ganado, Arizona, into the Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). Her nálí is ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People); cheii is Mą’ii Deeshgiizhnii (Coyote Pass). She passed away April 11, 2026, in Chinle.

Salena graduated from Chinle High School and worked at Garcia’s, Thunderbird, Junction Restaurant, Burger King and Bashas’. She enjoyed sewing, arts and crafts, floral arrangements, singing gospel songs, and hosting family dinners.

Salena is survived by her husband, John Lee Tsosie; sons, Sheldon Lee Tsosie and Derrick Yazzie; daughter, Sheryl Yazzie; brothers, Billy Lewis Yazzie and Nelson Yazzie; sisters, Gloria Begay, Leta Lee, Nancy Multine, Angela Kayonnie and Pauline Halwood; and four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Salena is preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Billy Lewis Yazzie; daughter, Shynnon Tsosie; and brothers, Roger Yazzie, Stanley Yazzie, Phillip Yazzie and Anthony Yazzie.

Pallbearer was Isaiah Tom.

Honorary pallbearer was John Lee Tsosie.

Green Meadows Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

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Rita Begay

GALLUP – Funeral services for Rita Begay, 54, of Bluewater Village, New Mexico, were held April 21 at the Cope Memorial Chapel in Gallup, with Pastor Bobby J. Willie officiating. Interment followed at the Gallup City Cemetery.

Rita was born Sept. 21, 1971, in Crownpoint, into the Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Naasht’ézhí Dine’é (Zuni Clan). She passed away March 10, 2026, in Bluewater Village.

Rita attended Crownpoint High School and was a self-employed Native artist. She loved dogs, Native arts, listening to music and riding a bicycle.

Rita is survived by her daughter, Heidi Eskeets; mother, Bernice Begay; father, Henry Vehenio; and brother, Stanley Begay.

Rita is preceded in death by her grandparents, George and Bertha G. Herrera; grandson, Chad Begay-Tom; and Hudson Benally, Martin (Jerry) Begay, Tony Benally, Sarah Begay-Tom, Virginia Benally-Tom, Monty Denezpi, Corey Delgarito, Herman Tom and LaShane Curley.

Pallbearers were Darrell Grey, Daron Grey, Arin Grey, and Emerson Sloan.

Honorary pallbearers were Stanley Begay and Shaun Eskeets.

Cope Memorial oversaw arrangements.

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Ray KH Coho

RAMAH, N.M. – Funeral services for Ray KH Coho, 87, of Pine Hill, New Mexico, will be held Friday, April 24, at 9 a.m., at the Ramah LDS Church with John Lewis officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Hill.

Ray was born June 12, 1938, in Pine Hill, into the Haltsooí (Meadow People Clan), born for Tsénahabiłnii (Sleep Rock People Clan). He passed away April 14, 2026, in Phoenix.

Ray attended Albuquerque Boarding School and received a GED in Pine Hill. He was employed with Ramah Navajo School in Pine Hill. He was also a farmer and rancher.

Ray is survived by his daughters, Karen James, Valerie James, Sandra Coho, Tiffany Coho and Naomi Coho; and five brothers and five sisters.

Ray is preceded in death by his son, Matthew Ray Coho; father, Billy Coho; mother, Violet Antonio; and six daughters, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Adolph Coho, Keenin James, Lysand Galbreath, Randy Chatto, Preston Smith, Sandra Coho, Naomi Coho and Tiffany Coho.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Coho, Dominic Maria, Nyla James, Enzo Cervantes and Verlek James.

A reception will take place at the Ramah Navajo Chapter House following services.

 

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