Obituaries for April 28, 2022

Cassandra James

GANADO, Ariz. — Funeral services for Cassandra James, 38, of Cornfields, Arizona, will be held Friday, April 29, at the Ganado LDS Church. Burial will follow in Cornfields.

Cassandra was born Nov. 2, 1983, in Ganado, into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). She passed away April 24, 2022, in Phoenix.

Cassandra attended Ganado Unified Schools and Central Texas College where she earned her GED. She enjoyed a wide variety of music and loved drawing, traveling, doing her makeup, and baking goods.

Above everything else, Cassandra truly loved and enjoyed her time with her children and family.

Cassandra is survived by her daughters, Shadae James, Kyra Denetso, Gabriella Brown, and Olivia Brown; son, Sabastian Brown; and siblings, Marietta Mackie, Angelo James, Kenneth P. Spurlock II, Alicia Jones, and Warren K. James.

Cassandra is preceded in death by her mother, Maurita L. James; maternal grandparents, Kee and Melita Chee; paternal grandmother, Louise James; and Jimmie R. James and Santee “Seth” James II.

Summit Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Luther Begay

CHINLE — Funeral services for Luther Begay, 73, of Chinle, will be held today, April 28, at 10 a.m., at Grace Community Church in Chinle, with Rev. Raymond Long officiating. Burial will follow in Chinle.

Luther was born Feb. 16, 1949, in Ganado, Arizona, into the ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan), born for Tł’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom People Clan). He passed away April 20, 2022, in Phoenix.

Luther attended Chinle High School and Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher, Arizona. He was employed as a laborer and enjoyed music, playing the guitar and harmonica, watching television and Western movies.

Luther is survived by his brothers, Chester Begay and Martin L. Begaye; and sisters, Geraldine Begay and Maybelle (Sharon) Begay.

Luther is preceded in death by his parents, Myrtle Begay and Tapaha Nez; and brothers, Leo R. Begay and Leonard Begay.

Pallbearers will be John Martin Mitchell, Darren Todd Begay, Rogerick Yazzie, Diondre Pioche, Hendrick Henry, and Orlyn Begay.

Honorary pallbearers will be Chester Begay, Martin Begay, Joseph William Begay, Grant Benally, John Mitchell Sr., and Joe James Begay.

A reception will take place at Grace Community Church, following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Ricky Gilmore

NEWCOMB, N.M. — Graveside service for Ricky Gilmore, 59, of Newcomb, New Mexico, will be held Saturday, April 30, at 2 p.m., at the Newcomb community cemetery with Jack Gilmore Jr. officiating.

Ricky was born March 7, 1963, in Tuba City, into the Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together Clan), born for Bit’ahnii (Folded Arms People Clan). His nalí is Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge); cheii is Tó’aheedlíinii. He passed away April 23, 2022, in Robbinsdale, Minnesota.

Ricky attended Flagstaff High and was a self-employed silversmith. He enjoyed gardening, traveling and silversmith work.

Ricky is survived by his daughters, Arlene Fairbanks, Lee-Andra Gilmore, Clarice Gilmore (Jake Cepi), and Alvina (Eli) Rogers; brothers, Jerry (Marti) Gilmore, Frankie J. (Larue) Gilmore and Jack Jr. (Rebecca) Gilmore; and 15 grandchildren.

Ricky is preceded in death by his parents, Marie Armijo-Costello and Jack Gilmore Sr.; and sisters, Virginia Gilmore and Shirley Gilmore.

Urn carriers will be Eric Begay, Jaydin Fairbanks, Jake Cepi, and Eli Rogers.

A drive-thru reception will follow service.

Twin Cities Cremation is in charge of arrangements.

Ethel J. Crawford

WINDOW ROCK — Funeral services for Ethel Jane Crawford, 83, of Fort Defiance, were held April 27 at the United Methodist Church in Window Rock, with Roger Tsosie, of Shiprock, officiating. Interment followed in Fort Defiance.

Ethel was born June 5, 1938, in Ganado, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). She passed away April 21, 2022, in Show Low, Arizona.

Ethel attended Ganado Day School from 1948-1949 and Sherman Institute in Riverside, California, from 1950-1955. She retired from the BIA after 35 years of service.

Ethel enjoyed song and dance activities, playing bingo, outdoor activities, and was a competitive walker.

Ethel is survived by her husband, Raymond Benally; son, Rickey Crawford; daughters, Marilyn Crawford-Begay and Clara Crawford; sister, Suzie Bydone; and five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Ethel is preceded in death by Tom Lee Crawford, Al Crawford, Melvin Crawford, and Larry Crawford.

Pallbearers were Rainey Crawford, Isaiah Tsosie, Ian Begay, Dylon James, Damien Williams, and Tony Ray Curley.

Honorary pallbearers were Rickey Crawford, Tommy Crawford, Raymond Benally, Jim Bydone, Jerome Thomas, Thurman Thomas, Walter Begay Jr., and Jeff Goodluck.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Samuel Johnson

NAVAJO, N.M. — Graveside service for Samuel Johnson, 63, of Navajo, New Mexico, will be held Friday, April 29, at 10 a.m., at the family plot (three miles south of Navajo on Route 12 between mile marker 38-40).

Samuel was born July 27, 1958, in Fort Defiance, into the Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan). He passed away April 24, 2022, in Navajo.

Samuel graduated from Red Mesa High School in Red Mesa, Arizona, and worked for Kayenta Mine (Peabody Coal Company), PNM (McKinley Coal Company), Navajo Generating Plant in Page, Arizona, and Wyoming Mine in Diamondville, Wyoming.

Samuel’s passion was participating with the United Mine Workers of America Local 22, 24, and 1307. He enjoyed playing sports and coached a little league baseball team while living and working in Kayenta. He enjoyed playing golf with his UMWA brothers and was president of the Coalminer’s Rodeo Committee through Peabody.

Samuel is survived by his sons, Erik Bradley, Eli Johnson and Ken Johnson; daughter, Samantha Johnson; mother, Maggie Johnson; brothers, Irwin Johnson, Abel Johnson, Timothy Johnson, and Daniel Johnson; sisters, Kathleen Johnson, Shirley Smith, Sharon Johnson, and Carleen Mike; and seven grandchildren.

Samuel is preceded in death by his father, Sam Kenneth Johnson Sr.

A reception will take place at Maggie Johnson’s residence (2.5 miles south of Navajo on Route 12 at mile marker 38-39), following service.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Michael I. Dawes

FORT DEFIANCE — Graveside service for Michael Irwin Dawes, 59, of Fort Defiance, was held April 27 at the Fort Defiance cemetery with Rev. Cannon Cathlena Plummer officiating.

Michael was born Aug. 11, 1962, in Gallup, into the Tł’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom People Clan), born for Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan). He passed away April 23, 2022, in Fort Defiance.

Michael attended Window Rock High School and Albuquerque Job Corps. He was a firefighter for the Navajo Nation and security for the Navajo Nation Fair.

Michael enjoyed beading, drawing, tattoos, and loved the outdoors by taking walks with his grandchildren.

Michael is survived by his wife, Tina Dawes; sons, Terrell Dawes, Terdal Dawes, Irwin Dawes, and Michael Dawes; stepson, Mathew Yazzie; daughters, Sonjia Dawes, Shania Dawes and Michaelynn Dawes; stepdaughters, Danielle Yazzie, Tara Yazzie, Tamera Yazzie, and Quentina Yazzie; mother, Janet Dawes; sisters, Michelle Yazzie, Jodell Jodie, Marvalynn Spencer, Irwinita Begay, and Ervina Sylestine; and 16 grandchildren.

Michael is preceded in death by his son, Deshawn Owens; daughter, Sophia Watson; grandson, Jason Tongovia; father, Irwin Dawes; and grandmother, Frances Denetdeel.

Pallbearers were Nathaniel Bigman, Michelle Yazzie, Ervina Sylestine, Aldred Begay, Calvin Spencer, and Bryson Manygoats.

Honorary pallbearers were Dominique Lynch, Nathan Spencer, Kevin Spencer, and Colby Spencer.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Michael Chee

GALLUP — Funeral services for Michael Chee, 41, of the Uprooted Tree Area, were held April 25 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Sister Terry officiating. Interment followed at the Gallup City Cemetery.

Michael was born April 13, 1981, in Gallup, into the Haltsooí (Meadow People Clan), born for Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He passed away April 18, 2022, in the Uprooted Tree Area.

Michael enjoyed carpentry and watching the Atlanta Falcons play.

Michael is survived by his wife, Merlinda Lincoln-Chee; mother, Ellen Chee; and brother, Mitchell Chee.

Michael is preceded in death by his father, Lee Chee; brother, Marvin Chee; and grandparents, Lucy Redeye Chee and George Chee, and Helen and Jimmy Hosteen.

Pallbearers were Mitchell Chee, Sheldon Chee, Shauntae Chee, Shawndell Chee, Marty Skeet, and Aaron Skeet.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

---