Obituaries for Feb. 3, 2022

Janice Wilson

GALLUP — A memorial service for Janice Wilson, of Gallup, was held Feb. 2 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Mark Thomas officiating.

Janice was born April 8, 1942, into Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together Clan). She passed away Jan. 25, 2022, in Albuquerque.

Janice was a survivor of Chemawa Indian School in Salem, Oregon, and was employed for numerous years with The Inn Best Western in Gallup. She lived as a rancher in Tsayatoh, New Mexico, with her late husband, Joe Wilson, until his death in 1987. She enjoyed being a seamstress, weaving rugs and silversmithing.

Janice is survived by her son, Virgil Wilson; sister, Karan (Jennie Rose) Bonito-Grey; and two grandchildren.

Janice is preceded in death by her brothers, Joe Lee Grey Sr. and Sam Grey Jr.; and sisters, Irene Etsitty and Betty Silago.

Honorary pallbearers were Dwayne Yazzie, Virgil Wilson, Karan Bonito-Grey, Alice DeGroat, Sampson Etsitty, Nathaniel Grey, Chloe Ann Escobedo, and Veronica Benally.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Sophia M. Watson

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Graveside service for Sophia Marie Watson, 29, of St. Michaels, Arizona, will be held Friday, Feb. 4, at 10 a.m., in St. Michaels.
Sophia was born Sept. 17, 1992, in Fort Defiance, into ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan). She passed away Jan. 31, 2022, in Albuquerque.

Sophia attended Window Rock High School and enjoyed visiting friends and listening to music.

Sophia is survived by her sister, Andrea Hale of St. Michaels.

Sophia is preceded in death by her mother, Vivian Watson; sister, Esther Ranger; grandmother, Mary E. Towne; and grandfather, Joseph H. Towne.

Pallbearers will be Anthony Hale, Carol Toledo and Marka Shorty.

Silver Creek Mortuary will oversee arrangements.

 

Kevin C. Smith

AZTEC, N.M. — A Celebration of Life for Kevin Carl Smith, 38, of Gallup, will be held Saturday, Feb. 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Aztec, New Mexico, with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 614 officiating.

Kevin was born Dec. 25, 1983, in Gallup, into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Naakai Dine’é (Mexican Clan). He passed away Jan. 2, 2022, in Vanderwagen, New Mexico.

Kevin received a certificate in welding and an associate degree for a medical laboratory technician from the University of New Mexico-Gallup campus. He enjoyed fly-fishing for 20 years, taking his children outdoors, grilling, welding, incubating chickens, and taking care of the mini farm.

Kevin is survived by his wife, Clarissa Henderson-Smith; sons, Demetri Omar Tsosie, and Oliver KC Smith; daughters, Reylena Arion Tsosie, Bianca KC Smith, Allison KC Smith, and Addison Kay Cee Smith; father, Carl Smith; stepfather, James Wilson; brother, Irvin Woods; and sisters, Jamie Wilson and Jamesina Wilson.

Kevin is preceded in death by his mother, Marlene Tahe; brother, Calvin C. Smith; maternal grandparents, Minnie Lee Tahe and Harrison Daniels; and paternal grandparents, Rose and Henry Kinlicheeney.

Honorary pallbearer will be Iron Dukes.

A reception will take place at the VFW Post No. 614 in Aztec, following service.

Rollie Mortuary will oversee arrangements.

Brad L. Kaamasee

RABBIT BRUSH, N.M. — Graveside service for Brad Lee Kaamasee, 25, of Fort Defiance, will be held Friday, Feb. 4, at 10 a.m., at the Belone family burial site in Rabbit Brush, New Mexico, with Pastor James Flores officiating. Viewing will take place at 9:30 a.m.

Brad was born Jan. 26, 1997, in Gallup, into Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan). He passed away Jan. 27, 2022, in Fort Defiance.

Brad graduated from Window Rock High School in 2015 and attended Tulsa Welding School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He worked at Walmart in Tempe, Arizona, and Ramah Care Services in Gallup. He enjoyed watching the National Football League and liked playing the local softball leagues.

Brad is survived by his parents, Kathy Joe and Elton Kaamasee; brother, Josiah Kaamasee; and grandparents, Mary and Ben Soundingsides, and Margie and Burton Kaamasee.

Brad is preceded in death by his brother, Kyle Kaamasee; grandmother, Marjorie E. Lee; and great-grandparents, Dollie and Johnnie Tabaha Sr., and Gretchen and Bennie Laate.

Pallbearers will be Tony Walker, Eric Bryant, Lorenzo Manuelito, Morales Sigina, Brian Soundingsides, Eno Yazzie, Colley Willow, Gregory Longtime Sleeping, Ethan Billy, and Shaun Price.

Honorary pallbearers will be Lional Price, Louis Tabaha, Frank Cook, Nathan Spencer, Matthias “Storme” Milford, Garrick Weeka, Burton Kaamasee, and Justin Kaamasee.

To-go trays will be served at the burial site, following service.

Summit Funeral Home will oversee arrangements.

Stella A. Begay

KLAGETOH, Ariz. — Graveside service for Stella Ann Begay, 55, of Klagetoh, Arizona, will be held Friday, Feb. 4, at 11 a.m., at the Klagetoh community cemetery.

Stella was born June 9, 1966, in Ganado, Arizona, into Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan), born for Tsénjíkiní (Honey Combed Rock People Clan). She passed away Jan. 19, 2022, in Albuquerque.

Stella was self-employed making jewelry, earrings, and necklaces. She loved cooking for her family, reading, doing crossword puzzles, and doing arts and crafts with her grandchildren.

Stella is survived by her son, Timothy Begay; daughters, Sasha Begay, Lydia Begay, and Ashli Begay; brothers, Harrison “Sean” Begay and Anderson “Andy” Begay; grandfather, Francis Lee Capazoni; and five grandchildren.

Stella is preceded in death by her parents, Caroline and Elmer Begay; and sisters, Patti “Dawn” Begay, Betty Lee and Peggy Gail.

Pallbearers will be Timothy Begay, Harrison Begay, and Elson Begay.

A reception will take place at Black Rock Acres, House No. 3, in Fort Defiance, at 3 p.m., following service.

Silver Creek Mortuary will oversee arrangements.

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