Obituaries for Aug. 20, 2015

Paul B. Fanning

GALLUP — Funeral services for Paul B. Fanning, 47, will be held Saturday, Aug. 22, at 10 a.m. at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup.

Paul was born July 8, 1968. He had been missing since Aug. 6 and was found Aug. 12.

Paul graduated from high school with one year in college. He was a spiritual man who studied all religions and loved his family deeply. He was an established artist, musician, craftsman and woodcutter.

Paul is survived by his mother, Victoria Fanning; wife, Elisa Jeanie Fanning; brother, Mark Fanning; sons, Shae Fanning, Curin Fanning and Damon Fanning; and daughter, Aspen Fanning-Teel.

Paul is preceded in death by his father, Tom Fanning; and grandparents, James and Elizabeth Fanning.

A reception will take place at the Gallup Community Center following service.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Agnes Susie Charlie

STEAMBOAT, Ariz. — Funeral services for Agnes Susie Charlie, of Steamboat, Ariz., will be held today, Aug. 20, at 10 a.m. at the Navajo Bethel Baptist Church in Steamboat, with Mathew Noble officiating. Burial will follow at the family plot in Steamboat.

Agnes was born Nov. 5, 1958, in Fort Defiance, into the Naakai dine’é(Mexican Clan), born for Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan). She died Aug. 13, 2015, in St. Michaels, Ariz.

Agnes is survived by her sons, Larrick D. Johnson and Alfrandos Begaye; daughters, Angelita Sheperd, Angelina Johnson and Kasinda F. Begay; brother, Johnny Begay; sisters, Mary Chah, Frances Cayatineto and Rolinda Yazzie; and nine grandchildren.

Agnes is preceded in death by her parents, Molly K. Begay and Joe Carrol; and James “Kato” Begay.

Pallbearers will be Larrick Johnson, Filbert Serafin Sr., Leonard Bitsuie and Jason Poyer.

A reception will take place at Steamboat Chapter House following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Lucinda Ann Nez

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Lucinda Ann Nez, 60, of Fort Defiance, were held Aug. 18 at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Fort Defiance, with Father Gilbert officiating. Interment and a reception followed in Fort Defiance.

Lucinda was born Jan. 9, 1955, in Fort Defiance, into the Naaneesht’ezhi (The Charcoal Streaked People Clan), born for Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan). She died Aug. 14, 2015, in Flagstaff.

Lucinda graduated from Window Rock High School and attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. She enjoyed beading and painting.

Lucinda is survived by her brother, Frank D. Nez Jr.; sisters, Margaret Sheka, Marilyn Chavez, Marjorie Anderson, Laurinda Weber, Beatrice Nez, and Laurita Butler.

Lucinda is preceded in death by Frank D. Nez Sr., Elsie M. Nez, Lewis D. Nez, Howard D. Nez, and Elliott L. Nez.

Pallbearers were Loren Nez, Eli H. Nez, Joseph Weber, Leo Begaye, and Floyd Nez.

Honorary pallbearers were family members, relatives and friends.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Nelson Roger Thomas Sr.

THOREAU, N.M. — Funeral services for Nelson Roger Thomas Sr., 74, will be held Friday, Aug. 21, at 11 a.m. at the Church of God in Thoreau, N.M. Burial will follow in Rehoboth, N.M.

Nelson was born Aug. 13, 1942, into the Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan), born for çshiihi (Salt People Clan). His nali is Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People); chei is Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan). He died Aug. 13, 2015.

Nelson is survived by Shirley Thomas, Evelyn Begay, Christina Thomas, Lenora Thomas, and Tina M. Etsitty Lee.

Pallbearers will be Rudy Tennison, Sampson Mariano, Monty Joe, Tom Curley Jr., Adrian Curley, and Olson Thomas.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Lillie Bancroft Holgate

TUBA CITY — Funeral services for Lillie Bancroft Holgate, 87, were held Aug. 19 at the LDS Church in Tuba City. Interment and a reception followed in Rare Metals, Ariz.

Lillie was born June 28, 1928, into the Tsé deeshgizhnii (Rock Gap Clan), born for Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan). She died Aug. 13, 2015.

Lillie is survived by her husband, Jimmy Holgate; children, Edward B. Martin, Christine D. Holgate and Cheryl K. Holgate; and grandchildren.

Lillie is preceded in death by her parents, George and Mary C. Bancroft.

Nellie E. Ration

GALLUP — Funeral services for Nellie E. Ration, 72, were held Aug. 15 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Interment followed at the Gallup City Cemetery.

Nellie was born May 15, 1943, into the Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan), born for çshiihi (Salt People Clan). Her nali is Deeshchii’nii (Start of the Red Streak People); chei is Tó baazhni’ázhi (Two Who Came to Water). She died Aug. 10, 2015.

Nellie is survived by her husband, Paul Ration Sr.; daughters, Etheleen Moses of Smith Lake, N.M., Sarah Smith of Smith Lake, Pearlene Ration of Wide Ruins, Ariz., and Priscilla Ration of Smith Lake; sons, Paul Ration Jr. of Grants, N.M., and Adrian T. Ration of Albuquerque; and 24 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Nellie is preceded in death by her father, Hoskie T. Becenti Sr.; mother, Alice Y. Becenti; and brothers, Larry Becenti and Wesley Becenti.

Pallbearers were Mitchell M. Begay, Levi Smith, Kyle Moses, Tyrell Moses, Carlos Ration, and Darren Moses.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Chee Smith

VANDERWAGEN, N.M. — Funeral services for Chee Smith, 64, are pending.

Chee was born April 4, 1951, in Lukachukai, Ariz., into the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan), born for Ma’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan). He died Aug. 7, 2015, in Mesa, Ariz.

Chee attended Intermountain Indian School and worked at Ellis Tanner in Gallup, Camper Sales, Kachina Packing, and Blue Mountain Meats. He moved to Mesa to care for his son.

Chee is survived by his son, Titus Smith of Mesa; and niece, Juanita Smith of Twin Lakes, N.M.

Chee is preceded in death by his wife, Annie Smith; and son, Chee Smith Jr.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

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