Obituaries for Jan. 12, 2023

Phyllis G. Kee

ROCK SPRINGS, N.M. — A reception for Phyllis G. Kee, 73, of Rock Springs, New Mexico, will be held Friday, Jan. 13, at the Gallup Community Center from 3:30-7 p.m.

Phyllis was born June 13, 1949, in China Springs, New Mexico, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). She passed away Jan. 6, 2023, in Albuquerque.

Phyllis graduated from high school in Phoenix and was employed at Butler’s Office Printing Supply. She loved cooking and sewing. She enjoyed meeting new people and calling them family by the time the conversation ended.

Phyllis is survived by her sons, Jimmie Kee Jr. and Jerry Kee; daughters, LaWanda Romero and Tanya Rae Kee; mother, Betty H. Yazzie; brothers, Robert Douglas and William Douglas; and four grandchildren.

Phyllis is preceded in death by her father, Richard H. Yazzie, and Gillis Douglas.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Edward Sleuth Sr.

GALLUP — Funeral services for Edward Sleuth Sr., 82, of Naschitti, New Mexico, will be held today, Jan. 12, at 10 a.m., at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Gallup, with Father Dale Jamison officiating. Burial will follow at the Gallup State Veterans Cemetery.

Edward was born Sept. 25, 1940, in Naschitti, into the Naaneesht’ézhi Táchii’nii (The Charcoal-Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water Clan), born for ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan). He passed away Jan. 4, 2023, in Gallup.

Edward attended Wingate High School and Fort Lewis College. He worked for Navajo Tribal Utility Authority, Navajo Communications, and Frontier Communications.

Edward was a U.S. Army veteran, rancher, and telecommunications lineman. He was also an avid basketball player from high school into his older years as a member of the original Chuska Broncos Basketball Team.

Edward is survived by his sons, Edward Sleuth Jr. of Albuquerque, Michael Sleuth of Ganado, and Edwin C. Sleuth of Tampa, Florida; daughters, Karen M. Sleuth of Albuquerque and Margie K. Leonard of Tohatchi, New Mexico; brother, Jerry Sleuth of Naschitti; sisters, Anita Francis of Chinle, Irene Rintala of St. Michaels, Arizona, and Elsie Sleuth and Marie Sleuth, both of Naschitti; and 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Edward is preceded in death by his mother, Isabel Roanhorse-Sleuth; father, John Sleuth; and brother, Herman Sleuth.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Sleuth, Phillip Manygoats, Benny Manygoats, Edward Sleuth Jr., Edwin C. Sleuth, and Michael Sleuth.

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

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Anthony G. Hicks

HOUCK, Ariz. — Funeral services for Anthony Gerome Hicks, 53, of Allentown, Arizona, were held Jan. 7 at the Goodnews Mission Church in Houck, Arizona, with Teddy Goodluck Jr. officiating. Interment followed at a private family plot in Allentown.

Anthony was born May 29, 1969, in Fort Riley, Kansas, into the Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He was born for Nahiłii. He passed away Dec. 18, 2022, in Maricopa, Arizona.

Anthony graduated from Sanders-Valley High School and worked for Fountains of Hope, helping people regain their lives or find a better way of life by overcoming addictions.

Anthony played football, wrestled, and lifted weights in his younger years. He loved to help others, meet new people, and spend time with his family.

Anthony is survived by his sons, O’tel I. Hicks and Julius Hicks; daughter, Jasmine Hicks; father, Earl Lee Hicks; brothers, Delbert Hicks, Jermaine Hicks, Victor Hicks, and Earl Hicks Jr.; sisters, Phoebe Hicks, Lucinda Hicks, Freda Johnson, and Dedra Hicks; and three grandchildren.

Anthony is preceded in death by his mother, Goergeana Moss, and son, Anthony G. Hicks Jr.

Pallbearers were O’tel Hicks, Trei Hicks, Brian Worker Sr., Tyrell Hardy, Jakey Skye, Fermin Rios, Adrian Rios, Donté Hicks, and Sean Jensen.

Honorary pallbearers were Delbert Hicks, Tony Worker Jr., Jermaine Hicks, Demetras Puckett, Albert Moss, and Angel Billanor.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Roger T. Gishie Jr.

HOLBROOK, Ariz. — Funeral services for Roger Thomas Gishie Jr., 47, of Holbrook, Arizona, will be held Friday, Jan. 13, at 1 p.m., at the Elks Lodge in Holbrook. Burial will follow at the Holbrook cemetery.

Roger was born Aug. 8, 1975, in Winslow, Arizona. He passed away Dec. 31, 2022, in Midland, Texas.

Roger is survived by his wife, Nicole Gishie; son, Skylar Gishie; daughters, Jade Gishie and Jalynn Gishie; parents, Lena and Roger Gishie; brother, Alex Gishie; and two grandchildren.

Greer’s Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

 

 

Alfredo Abe

GREASEWOOD SPRINGS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Alfredo Abe, 46, of Greasewood Springs, Arizona, will be held Friday, Jan. 13, at the Faith Mission in Greasewood Springs. Burial will follow at the Greasewood Springs community cemetery.

Alfredo was born Oct. 10, 1976, in Apple Valley, California, into the Kinłichíi’nii (Red House People Clan). His nálí is Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan), cheii is Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He passed away Jan. 2, 2023, in Greasewood Springs.

Alfredo attended Navajo Technical University and was employed as an electrician and lineman maintainer with Navajo Tribal Utility Authority in Fort Defiance. He enjoyed cooking, traveling to different places, and loved playing basketball.

Alfredo is survived by his daughters, Jordaniel D. Abe and Jazlin D. Abe of Crownpoint; mother, Betty J. Abe; brothers, Anthony Abe and Lemar Abe; and sisters, Laverne Abe and Laceta Abe.

Alfredo is preceded in death by his father, Billy J. Abe.

Pallbearers will be Lemar Abe, Alvin Etcitty, Jackson Belin, Jason Chee, Armond Bosco, and Michael Tso.

The honorary pallbearer will be Lemar Abe.

Following services, a drive-thru reception will take place at Betty Abe’s residence (old NHA 166-04).

Summit Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

Butch Mudbone

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Butch Mudbone entered the Spirit World Jan. 2, 2023, near Memphis, Tennessee. He was well-known among a collective group on and off the Navajo Nation.

Mudbone faithfully participated for 16 years in the Sundance ceremony at Big Mountain. He was an avid traditional dancer and a Roadman for the Native American Church. He was a descendant of the Seneca Nation, born to the France people.

Mudbone was a master blues musician and made his living as such. This was Butch Mudbone’s world, and the expression of his blues embraces all the music’s history which preceded him. He was equally comfortable in a solo performance or with the Wolfpack band.

Mudbone repeatedly has performed in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, and Canada. In the United States, he worked at venues such as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (28 years), Monterey Jazz Festival, Delta Blues Festival, Tucson Blues Festival, Ojai Bowlful of Blues, and the Memphis Blues Festival.

Mudbone opened shows for B.B. King, James Brown, John Lee Hooker, James Cotton, and many others. In 2021, the Memphis Blues Society honored Mudbone with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

A Celebration of Life has been planned for Thursday, Jan. 19, at the Rockhouse Live (5709 Raleigh LaGrange Rd.) in Memphis. The family will host a memorial service Saturday, Jan. 21, in Memphis.

Brandon Gene

LOW MOUNTAIN, Ariz. — Graveside service for Brandon Gene, 33, of Low Mountain, Arizona, was held Jan. 10 in Low Mountain, with Irene Nelson officiating.

Brandon was born July 20, 1989, in Phoenix, into the Naasht’ézhí Táchii’nii (Zuni/Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He passed away Dec. 31, 2022, in Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Brandon attended some college and was employed as a line cook. He enjoyed playing video games and loved watching the Rams, Suns, and Rockets play.

Brandon is survived by his brothers, Doug E. Nez and Dimitris E. Nez; sisters, Danielle Gene and Joanie Billiman; and grandparents, Irene Nelson, Alice King, and Jane Watchman-Denepso.

Brandon is preceded in death by his mother, Annie Gene, and stepfather, Randy Yarber Sr.

Pallbearers were Dimitris E. Nez, Doug E. Nez, Henry Martinez Jr., Elijah Martinez, Roland Gene, and Gerald Chee.

Honorary pallbearers were Jasper James and DelRay Sells.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Pauline A. Keyonnie

JEDDITO, Ariz. — Graveside service for Pauline Ann Keyonnie, 60, of Northwell, Arizona, will be held Thursday, Jan. 19, at 10 a.m., at the Jeddito community cemetery in Jeddito, Arizona.

Pauline was born Sept. 8, 1962, in Keams Canyon, Arizona, into the Tódík’ǫzhí (Salt Water Clan). She was born for Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). She passed away Jan. 9, 2023, in Flagstaff.

Pauline attended one year of college for nursing. She was a homemaker and rancher.

After service, a reception will occur at Alice Wayne’s residence (Sunset View House, No. 91).

Summit Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

Emma L. Dodson

INDIAN WELLS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Emma Lou Dodson, 71, of Indian Wells, Arizona, will be held Friday, Jan. 13, at 10 a.m., at the Broken Arrow Church (located across the road from the old Bita Ho Chee Store on Highway 77, mile marker 17) in Indian Wells, with Pastor Stanley Belinte officiating. Burial will follow at the family plot in Indian Wells.

Emma was born July 18, 1951, in Ganado, into the Tsénjíkiní (Honey Combed Rock/Cliff Dwellers People Clan). She was born for Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan). She passed away Dec. 31, 2022, in Flagstaff.

Emma graduated from Holbrook High School and retired after 45 years with the U.S. government. She was a rodeo secretary/timer for many years for several rodeo organizations.

Emma is survived by her sons, Shawn Dodson of Sanders, Arizona, and Sherwin Dodson of Gallup; mother, Minnie Yazzie of Indian Wells; sisters, Verna Yazzie of Holbrook, Arizona, and Sara Winters of Utah; and two grandchildren.

Emma is preceded in death by her husband, Kayo Dodson; father, Kee Yazzie; sister, Sharon Nez; and brother, Terry Yazzie.

Pallbearers will be Woodie Ahasteen Jr., Bruce Kanuho, Junior Dodson, and Antone Ahasteen.

Honorary pallbearers will be Shawn Dodson, Sherwin Dodson, Wayne Bitsuie, Stanley Yazzie, Verna Yazzie, and Sara Winters.

A reception will take place at the Broken Arrow Church following services.

Summit Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

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