Obituaries for Dec. 6, 2018

Sonyia Theresa Gray

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral service for Sonyia Theresa Gray will be held Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Fort Defiance.

Sonyia was born April 4, 1991, in Gallup. She passed away Nov. 22, 2018, in Phoenix. A Celebration of Life dinner will take place at the St. Dominic Hall in Fort Defiance, following the service.

A family meeting will be held Friday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m. in Sawmill, Arizona (Mutual Help Housing, House No. 123). Information: Tara, 928-313-4806.

 

Elijah Blair

CORTEZ, Colo. — Elijah Blair, of Cortez, Colorado, was born Nov. 28, 1927, in McRoberts, Kentucky. He passed away Nov. 23, 2018, at Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, Utah, at the age of 90.

Elijah is survived by his son, James Caler Blair (Sandy) of Page, Arizona; daughters, Kathy Ann Blair (Robert Ingeholm) of Page, and Vonda Garland (Bill) of Lewis, Colorado; and six grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Elijah is preceded in death by his parents, James Lee and Maggie (Ison) Blair; wife, Claudia Nell (Caler) Blair; infant daughter, Sandra K. Blair; and siblings, Denver Blair, Hazel Tolliver, Raymond Blair, Pauline Forrester, Bradley Blair, Marian Morrison, and Serena Blair.

Funeral services will be held at a later date in Page. Arrangements are being made through Ertel Funeral Home.

To send condolences or to view the full obituary, visit www.ertelfuneralhome.com and click on the obituary section.

Memorial contributions may be made in Elijah’s name to Dolores State Bank, P.O. Box 848, Dolores, CO 81323. Funds will be forwarded to United Indian Traders Entrepreneur Scholarship at Northern Arizona University’s School of Business.

Melissa Ann Scott

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Melissa Ann Scott, 40, of Coalmine, New Mexico, will be held Friday, Dec. 7, at 10 a.m. at the Good Sheppard Mission in Fort Defiance, with Rev. Richard Mendez officiating. Burial will follow in Fort Defiance.

Melissa was born Oct. 23, 1978, in Fort Defiance, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). She passed away Dec. 3, 2018, in Coalmine. Melissa graduated from Window Rock High School in 1999 and received an associate’s degree in business administration from Diné College. She was employed as a home care provider. Melissa enjoyed cooking, puzzles, Candy Crush, traveling, spending time with her family and grandchildren, and was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys.

Melissa is survived by her sons, Byron B. Scott and Bryan Scott, both of Coalmine; mother, Louise Shirley; brothers, Darrell A. Shirley of Nazlini, Arizona, Mike Scott of Navajo, New Mexico, and Jarrell Shirley of Coalmine; sisters, Elouise Whitney of Coalmine, Elvera Saganey of Crownpoint, and Patricia Scott of Tse Bonito, New Mexico; and two grandchildren. Melissa is preceded in death by her father, Alfred Shirley; brother, Michael Scott; aunt, Anita Scott; uncle, Oscar Scott; grandmother, Alice Scott; and grandfather, George Etsitty. Pallbearers will be Darrell Shirley, Bryan Scott, Byron Scott, Aaron Begay, Jarrell Shirley, and Donovan Saganey. Honorary pallbearers will be Byron Scott and Bryan Scott.

A reception will take place at the Fort Defiance Chapter House following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Ann Shirley Tso

GALLUP — Funeral services for Ann Shirley Tso, 82, of Gallup, will be held Saturday, Dec. 8, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church (2112 College Drive) in Gallup, with Pastor Jay McCollum officiating. Burial will follow in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Ann was born July 15, 1936, in Rehoboth, New Mexico, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). She passed away Nov. 5, 2018, in Gallup.

Ann attended Intermountain Bible College and Los Angeles City College. She worked for Peabody Energy and worked in Los Angeles for five years as a secretary. She enjoyed reading her Bible and playing the piano for churches and weddings. Ann is survived by her brother, Eddie Tsosie of Crownnpoint; and sister, Jean Tso of Tohatchi, New Mexico.

Ann is preceded in death by her mother, Juanita Tso of Gallup; father, Mike Tso of Gallup; and brothers, Norman Tso of Gallup, and Calvin Tso of Long Beach, California. Pallbearers will be Craig Tso, Charles McDermott and Thom Hite. A reception will take place at the First Baptist Church following funeral service.

Neptune Society is in charge of arrangements.

---