Obituaries for Feb. 16, 2023

Betty H. Yazzie

GALLUP — Gravesite service for Betty H. Yazzie, 91, of China Springs, New Mexico, will be held Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m., at the Sunset Cemetery in Gallup, with Father David officiating.

Betty was born Feb. 15, 1932, in Twin Lakes, New Mexico, into the Naakai Dine’é (Mexican Clan). She was born for Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan). She passed away Feb. 12, 2023, in Gallup.

Betty had a fifth-grade education and was a self-employed rug weaver. She loved to sew and watch sports and wrestling.

Betty is survived by her sons, William Douglas, Robert Douglas, Dexler Shorty, and DeWayne Tsinnajinnie; daughters, Evelyn Morgan, LaVerne White, Tina Yazzie, and Irene Hoskie; parents, Ellen and Frank Yazzie; brothers, John K. Yazzie, Lee K. Yazzie, Ben K. Yazzie, and Benson K. Yazzie; and 28 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren.

Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Richard H. Yazzie; daughter, Phyllis G. Kee; and grandson, Jason Morgan.

Pallbearers will be Jimmie Kee Jr., Jerry Kee, Dennison Hoskie, DeWayne Tsinnijinnie, Dexler Shorty, and William Douglas.

Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Douglas, William Douglas, Jon Davis, and Jeffrey Morgan.

A reception will take place at the Gallup Community Center following services from noon to 3:30 p.m.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

James L. Touchin

GALLUP — Funeral services for James Lane Touchin, 82, of St. Michaels, Arizona, will be held today, Feb. 16, at 11 a.m., at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gallup. Burial will follow at the St. Michaels community cemetery.

James was born July 4, 1940, in Coppermine, Arizona, into the Tł’ízí lání (Many Goats Clan). He was born for Bįįh Bitoodnii (Deer Spring Clan). His nalí is Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House); cheii is Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People). He passed away Feb. 10, 2023, in Winslow, Arizona.

James worked for the Navajo Nation Printing Department, Navajo Times, Navajo Housing Authority, PHS Support Center, and Navajoland Days Inn. He loved animals and enjoyed rodeos, bull riding, jogging, hiking, camping, carpentry, traveling, and watching the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Cardinals play.

James is survived by his wife, Arlene Touchin; children, Jason Touchin, Jewel Touchin, Jolene Morton, Yolanda Touchin, and Jared Touchin; sisters, Sue Sandoval, Patty Etcitty, Ilene Begay, Leona Yazzie, Priscilla Begay, and Jane Austin; brothers, Charlie Touchin and Julius Touchin; and three grandchildren.

James is preceded in death by his mother, Alma Touchin; father, Kenneth Touchin Sr.; brothers, John Lane, Rex Lane, Kenny Touchin, and David Touchin; and sister, Mary Begay.

Pallbearers will be Jason Touchin, Jared Touchin, Daniel Haven, Royce Yazzie, Wayne Sage Keeto, and Kindeshaun D. Austin.

Following services, a reception will occur at the LDC Culture Center in St. Michaels.

Summit Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

Rev. Warren K. Fuller Jr.

PAGE, Ariz. — A Celebration of Life for Rev. Warren K. Fuller Jr. will be held Saturday, Feb. 18, at 11 a.m., at the First Baptist Church of Page in Page, Arizona. Burial will follow at Page City Cemetery.

Rev. Fuller went to be with the Lord on Feb. 12, 2023. He lived a long, blessed life to age 90.

Rev. Fuller was the proud son of the late Warren Sr. and Nancy Dayzie Fuller of the Shonto/Tall Mountain area. He had six brothers (Tommy, Steven Sr., the late Byron, Jimmy, and two brothers who did not live beyond infancy) and seven sisters (the late Ruby Salt, the late Pauline Todacheene, Delma Black, the late Susan Gilmore, Betty Bennett, Gaynelle Harris, and Anna Charley.

As the eldest son, Rev. Fuller’s sole responsibility for most of his childhood and teen years was tending to the family livestock. During his late teens, he left to attend Sherman Institute in Riverside, California, where he met his future wife, Bessie (Ahkeah) Fuller.

The couple started a family in California and attended Indian Revival Center in Bell Gardens, California, where he taught Sunday School in the Navajo language to Navajos who resided in the area. At the time, hearing God’s word in Navajo in the city was uncommon and filled a void for many urban Navajos who missed home and family.

In the late 60s, the couple moved their growing family to Phoenix, where he taught an adult Navajo Bible Class at All Tribes A/G Church in Phoenix.

In the mid-80s, the couple moved their family back to the reservation. God called Rev. Fuller to plant two churches, Coppermine Full Gospel Church in Coppermine, Arizona, and Rainbow City A/G Church, in Navajo Mountain, where he pioneered the church for over 37 years. His love for the community that he served was immense.

Upon retirement, Rev. Fuller focused on ranching with his sons. They raised a herd of cattle in the Tall Mountain area (Horsespring) near where he grew up. Being among the quietness and solitude of his homeland brought him much happiness.

Rev. Fuller is survived by his beloved wife, Bessie; children, Harold, Darlene, David (Renee), Diane, and Daniel (Christy); and four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Norvel Owens Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Carol A. Slinkey

FORT DEFIANCE — Gravesite service for Carol Ann Slinkey, 66, of Fort Defiance, was held Feb. 3 in Fort Defiance, with Father Edgardo Diaz officiating.

Carol was born Dec. 25, 1956, in Rehoboth, New Mexico, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan). She passed away Jan. 31, 2023, in Fort Defiance.

Carol attended Window Rock High School, Ganado High School, the University of New Mexico-Gallup, and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque. She worked for Child Care Development at UNM-G, Good Shepherd Mission in Fort Defiance, and was a K-5 religious educator at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Fort Defiance.

Carol loved to travel the country with family and visit other family members. She was a dedicated New England Patriots fan and a loyal World Wrestling Entertainment fan.

Carol is survived by her husband, Alex M. Slinkey; sons, Steve M. Slinkey and Keith S. Slinkey; brothers, Larry Foster, Melvin Foster Sr., David Foster, and Harold Shirley; sisters, Katherine Arviso and Mary Tom; grandparents, William Day and Helen Day Chee, and Fred and Mary Foster; and 50 grandchildren.

Carol is preceded in death by her parents, Larry and Hazel Foster, and Glenna Foster Smith.

Pallbearers were Keith Slinkey, Irvin Foster, Irwin Foster, Jesse Yazzie, Charles Coleman, and Irvin Wauneka Jr.

Honorary pallbearers were Alex Slinkey, Steve Slinkey, Albert Slinkey Jr., Alfred Slinkey, David Foster, Melvin Foster Sr., Herman Tom, Ben Harris, Jerimiah Foster, Larry Foster, Alvin Bryant, and Nathan Earl Bitsoie Sr.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

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