Obituaries for February 1, 2024

Ellen Tommy Belone

TWIN LAKES, N.M. — Funeral services for Ellen “Ella” Tommy Belone, 94, of Twin Lakes, New Mexico, will be held today, Feb. 1, at 10 a.m., at the Rollie Mortuary Palm Chapel in Gallup, with Pastor Delbert Gordon officiating. Burial will follow at a private plot in Twin Lakes.

Ellen was born Jan. 1, 1930, in Twin Lakes, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan). She died Jan. 24, 2024, in Gallup.

Ellen was employed in the service industry from California to New Mexico. Later in life, she was a homemaker and enjoyed caring for her family. She navigated life through extreme hardships and through it all she remained steadfast, kind and loving.

Ellen is survived by her sons, Cornell Edsitty Sr. and Gene Belone; daughters, Elizabeth Bradshaw, Dolores Givens, Christine E. Beach, and Berné Hanson; and 27 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-great-grandchildren.

Ellen is preceded in death by her husband, James Belone; son, Dennison Cadman Jr.; daughter, Alberta Grubbs; brother, Joe Tommy; sister, Martha Malone; and five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Pallbearers will be Gerald Belone, Brandon Belone, Kevin Belone, Jim Bradshaw, and Jerry Hanson.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Eileen I. Ray (Taazbaá)

GALLUP — Funeral services for Eileen I. Ray, 91, of Gallup, will be held Friday, Feb. 2, at 9:45 a.m., at the Rollie Mortuary Chapel (401 E. Nizhoni Blvd.) in Gallup, with Father David officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Gallup.

Eileen was born April 13, 1932, in Fort Defiance, into the Tsenabahiłnii (Sleep Rock People Clan), born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). She passed away Jan. 12, 2024, in Gallup.

Eileen was baptized at the tender age of 2 at the St. John Evangelist Catholic Church in Houck, Arizona. She attended elementary boarding school and graduated from Fort Defiance High School.

Eileen was a self-taught and extremely successful artist. She enjoyed traveling to arts and crafts shows, making jewelry, meeting people, and attending ceremonies for family and friends

Eileen is survived by her sons, Marsh Fairey and Richard Ray; daughter, Rhonda Ray; stepsister, Isabelle Baker; and eight grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Eileen is preceded in death by her husband, George Ray; parents, Rita Bah and George Smith; brothers, Clifford Smith, Bobby Smith and Jake Smith; stepsisters, Sadie Skeets and Caroline Baker; and stepbrother, Eddie Baker.

Pallbearers will be Ethan Fairey, Caleb Fairey, Aaron Lopez, Justin Lopez, Malachi Harvey, and Elias Harvey.

Honorary pallbearers will be Marsh Fairey, Richard Ray and Billy Ray.

A reception will take place at Dickey’s Barbecue, Red Rock Room, in Gallup following services.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

George Yazzie

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for George Yazzie, 85, of Fort Defiance, will be held today, Feb. 1, at 10 a.m., at the Mary, Mother of Mankind Catholic Church in St. Michaels, Arizona, with Rev. Peter Short officiating. Burial will follow at the Fort Defiance cemetery.

George was born Oct. 14, 1938, in Fort Defiance, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan). He passed away Jan. 27, 2024, in Chandler, Arizona.

George worked for the Window Rock School District as a bus driver, Navajo Nation Food Distribution as a truck driver, and P&M Mine as a heavy equipment operator.

George loved basketball and coached the Blue Canyon Mountaineers. In his later years, he enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports, watching the Phoenix Suns, and relaxing on his porch doing word search while enjoying his front yard view.

George is survived by his wife, Inez Mose Yazzie; sons, Marvin Yazzie, Michael Yazzie Sr. and Harold Yazzie; daughters, Maureen Sanderson and Patricia Dineyazhe; brothers, Harry Yazzie and Jerry Yazzie; sisters, Ruth Bradley, Glenda Manson, Lena Denny, and Minnie Plummer; and 18 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.

George is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Yazzie; father, Joe K. Yazzie; brothers, Kee Richard Yazzie, Glenn Richard Yazzie and Larry Yazzie; and sister, Elizabeth Yazzie.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Sanderson, Myron Yazzie, Marlin Yazzie, Jayson Wilson, Jared Brown, Armando Atcitty, Alexis Dineyazhe, and Derrick Descheeny.

A reception will take place at the Parish Hall in St. Michaels following services.

Cope Memorial oversaw arrangements.

Raymond B. Becenti

GRANTS, N.M. — Funeral services for Raymond Bill Becenti were held Jan. 31 at Mount Taylor Funeral Home in Grants, New Mexico. Interment followed at Sunset Memorial Park in Albuquerque.

Raymond was born July 15, 1930, in Rehoboth, New Mexico, into the Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together Clan), born for Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan). He passed away Jan. 26, 2024, in Continental Divide, New Mexico.

Raymond is originally from Becenti, New Mexico, but lived in Continental Divide. He graduated with high school honors at Albuquerque Indian School in 1953.

Raymond worked as a Navajo Nation Police officer for the Shiprock and Fort Defiance Districts, and as a bailiff and sergeant-of-arms for the Navajo Nation Chairman Paul Jones and Vice Chairman Scott Preston administration. He also worked with the Navajo Nation Tax Department in Window Rock and as an operator for Navajo Nation Food Distribution in Fort Defiance.

Raymond was a rancher all his life, assisting and teaching family with ranch round-ups. He loved watching his grandchildren participate in sports and was a football fan enthusiast who enjoyed watching his favorite team, the Denver Broncos, play.

As a young man, Raymond was an active rodeo cowboy participating in bull riding, bronc riding, and steer wrestling with Indian Rodeo Association. His all-time favorite rodeos were in Flagstaff.

Raymond is survived by his daughters, Rowena J. Becenti (Eddie Dimalanta), Bernadette J. Becenti (Largo), and Carolynne J. Becenti; sisters, Wilhelmina B. Nelson of Fort Defiance, and Arlene Tolino of Crownpoint; and four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Raymond is preceded in death by his son, Ray Ramone Becenti; parents, Little Billie and Mary Arviso Becenti; brothers, Cecil Becenti, Sam Becenti, Bob Bill Becenti, Tom Bill Becenti, and Johnnie Becenti; sisters, June Becenti, Alice Willeto and Emma Sage; and grandparents, Willeto and Yil-Ha-Nas-Bah Arviso.

Pallbearers were Corwin R. Largo, Darwyn C. Largo, Nathaniel R. Tolino, Dylan Tolino, Mathias Milford, and Lefondo Becenti.

Honorary pallbearers were Bill Becenti Sr., Eddie Dimalanta and Brian Tolino.

Mount Taylor Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

Kenneth James

CHINLE — Funeral services for Kenneth James, 31, of Chinle, were held Jan. 31 at the Chinle Catholic Church with Father Blane officiating. Burial followed the service.

Kenneth was born Oct. 9, 1992, in Chinle, into the Tótsohnii (Big Water Clan), born for Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan). He passed away Jan. 21, 2024, in Phoenix.

Kenneth attended Chinle High School and graduated with the class of 2010. He enjoyed spending time with his family, helping those in need, drawing, reading, writing, running, and loved making people laugh.

Kenneth is survived by his brothers, Kendrick James, Christopher James, Tristan James, and Trevor James; and sister, Tasha James.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his father, Travis James.

Pallbearers were Zane Spencer, McKay Spencer, Kendrick James, Kyle Henderson, and Matthew Werito.

Honorary pallbearers were Christopher James, Scott Trowbridge, John Garvin, Raymond Begay, Francine James, Kathy Hansen, and Salustra Tso.

Summit Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Delores Schmalle

TUBA CITY — Funeral services for Delores Schmalle, 94, will be held Friday, Feb. 2, at 10 a.m., at Black Falls Bible Church. Burial will follow at the Natoni area family plot.

Delores was born into the Hashk’ąą hadzohí (Yucca Fruit-Strung-Out-In-A-Line Clan), born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). She passed away peacefully in her sleep on Jan. 28, 2024.

“Grandma Cheii” as she was known by her great-grandchildren was a homemaker that devoted her life to taking care of her family.

Delores is survived by her sister, Dr. Louva Dahozy; son, Harvey Schmallie; and daughter, Irene John (Harrison).

Delores is preceded in death by her husband, Hubert Schmallie; parents, Navajo Joe Judge and Adzan Joe McCabe; brother, Denny Joe McCabe; sons, Leonard Schmallie, Tony, and a baby boy; and grandsons, Emery John and Verdus Schmallie.

Donations can be sent to Melissa John via Zelle at 928-326-4379.

Norvel Owens Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Rose M. Dale

KINLICHEE, Ariz. — Graveside service for Rose Marie Dale, 76, of Kinlichee, Arizona, will be held today, Feb. 1, at 10 a.m., in Kinlichee.

Rose was born Aug. 1, 1924, in Ganado, Arizona, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Mą’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan). She passed away Jan. 27, 2024, in Ganado.

Rose attended high school at Santa Fe Indian Boarding School and worked for Sage Memorial Hospital where she retired.

Rose is survived by her sons, Gary Benally, Jerrison Benally, Kenneth Lee, and Jefferson Lee.

Rose is preceded in death by her husband, Phillip H. Dale; and son, Jerrold Benally.

A reception will take place at the Kinlichee Chapter House following service.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

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