Obituaries for Jan. 20, 2022

Priscilla S. Long

GALLUP — Graveside service for Priscilla S. Long, 81, of Tsayatoh, New Mexico, will be held today, Jan. 20, at 2 p.m., at the Gallup City Cemetery with Pastor Ted Farris officiating.

Priscilla was born June 15, 1940, in Gallup, into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). She passed away Jan. 8, 2022, in Gallup.

Priscilla attended Intermountain School and was employed as a cook at Ranch Kitchen. She loved to help people when they needed help and was a Dallas Cowboys fan. She enjoyed watching Monday Night Raw and Friday Night Smack Down.

Priscilla is survived by her sons, Benedict Long, Danedict Long and Jerry Smith; daughters, Patricia Smith, Lucille Smith, Phyllis Smith, and Benita Long; brothers, Guy Smith Sr. and Peter Smith Sr.; sister, Ella Peter; and 18 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Priscilla is preceded in death by her husband, Ben J. Long; parents, Rose and Albert Smith; sisters, Effie Lewis and Florence Baldwin; brother, Authur Smith; and granddaughter, Kimisha Rae Slim Jim.

Pallbearers will be Aaron Mancisco, Darrin Etsitty, Travis Grey, Brandon Lee, Eric Spencer, and Farrell Smith.

Honorary pallbearers will be Benedict Long, Danedict Long, Jerry Smith, Erwin Smith, Kendric Jim, and Ronnie Lee Jr.

A drive-thru reception will take place in Tsayatoh, following service.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Dalbert W. Singer

FLAGSTAFF — Graveside service for Dalbert William Singer, 82, of Flagstaff, will be held Saturday, Jan. 22, at the Calvary Cemetery (201 W. University) in Flagstaff.

Dalbert was born March 30, 1939, in Wupatki, Arizona, into the Tł’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom People Clan), born for Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). His nalí is ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People); cheii is Naakai dine’é (Mexican). He passed away Jan. 15, 2022, in Sun City, Arizona.

Dalbert attended a trade school to become a machinist. He worked for Southwest Lumber Mill and Super 8 Maintenance.

Dalbert was a cross-country runner who enjoyed drawing, leatherwork, traveling to powwows, gourd dancing, boxing, and bull and bronc riding.

Dalbert is survived by his daughters, Martella and Eva; sons, Wes and Monty; sister, Mary Ann; brother, Jim Littlesinger; and 21 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Dalbert is preceded in death by his parents, Martha and Lester Littlesinger; sisters, Myra and Connie; wife, Helen; daughter, Pamela Saufkie; son, Farrell Singer; and grandsons, Buck Singer and Arrow Saufkie.

Pallbearers will be Dakota Saufkie, Brandon Kinsel, Kaelin Foster, Nashoba Singer, Sky Day, Dalbert A. Singer, Jay Curley, and Wes Singer.

Honorary pallbearers will be Adam Mesa Jr., Amius Poyer, Maliki Day, Corey Day, Easton Yazzie, Xavier Arrow, Awohali Mouse, and Adanedi Mouse.

Norvel Owens Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Roy K. Johnson

GALLUP — Funeral services for Roy K. Johnson, 61, of Gallup, will be held Friday, Jan. 21, at 10 a.m., at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Alvin and Agnes Cayatineto officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial in Gallup.

Roy was born July 5, 1960, in Gallup, into the Tódík’ózhí (Salt Water Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). He passed away Jan. 6, 2022, in Gallup.

Roy was employed as a buffer at First American Trading and Anasazi Trading. He loved playing basketball and baseball, bull riding, playing bingo with family, and was a Chicago Bears fan.

Roy is survived by his son, Vernon K. Johnson; daughters, Pamela Lee and Tammy Johnson; brothers, Ernest Johnson and Benson Begay; sisters, Janice Reid, Virginia Long, Agnes Smith, Gloria Johnson, Jennifer Begay, Wilda Begay, and Laverna Johnson; and 15 grandchildren.

Roy is preceded in death by his mother, Jennie Johnson; father, Kee Johnson; and brothers, Bobby K. Johnson, Jerry Johnson, Gary Johnson, Daniel K. Johnson, and Jimmy Johnson.

Pallbearers will be Art Smith, Vincent Begay Jr., Harold L. Wood, Vincent Begay Sr., Nathaniel Long, and Lionel Lee.

Honorary pallbearers will be Vernon K. Johnson and Ernest Johnson.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Jefferson L. Baker

KINLICHEE, Ariz. — Funeral services for Jefferson Lee Baker, 52, of Kinlichee, Arizona, were held Jan. 19 at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Kinlichee, with Pastor Jonathan Chitwood officiating. Interment followed at the Kinlichee community cemetery.

Jefferson was born Oct. 30, 1969, in Kinlichee, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan). He passed away Jan. 8, 2022, in Window Rock.

Jefferson attended Chinle High School and welding school. He enjoyed drawing and listening to heavy metal music.

Jefferson is preceded in death by Emma Kelewood Johnson, Mary McCabe and Jeffrey Baker.

Pallbearers were Kendall Begaye, Emerson Tully, Brian Watchman, William Bruce, Jerry McCabe, and Jody Albert.

Honorary pallbearers were Kenny Begaye, Terry Kelewood and Perry Kelewood.

Summit Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Patrick R. Brown

GALLUP — Funeral services for Patrick Ryan Brown, 49, of Iyanbito, New Mexico, were held Jan. 18 at the Rollie Mortuary Chapel in Gallup, with Pastor Theodore Charles officiating. Interment followed in Grants, New Mexico.

Patrick was born Jan. 14, 1972, in Gallup, into the Ts’ah yisk’idnii (Sage Brush Hill Clan), born for Deeshchii’nii (Start of the Red Streak People Clan). His nalí is Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House); cheii is Nihoobáanii (Gray Streaked-Ends). He passed away Jan. 6, 2022, in Gallup.

Patrick graduated from Gallup High School in 1991.

Patrick is survived by his wife, Leona Halwood; sons, Corby Ryan Brown, Tyler Hardy and Brandon Hardy; daughters, Jayla Ryan Brown, Aspen Jewel Brown and Shawntal Halwood; brother, Mika-Jon Lowley; sisters, Amber Leyba, Sylvania Brown, Salina Yazzie, Sheila Brown, and Tammy Rogers; and four grandchildren.

Patrick is preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy C. Rogers and Larry Brown; and grandparents, Mary and John Charlie, and Lucy and Lewis Brown.

Pallbearers were Corby M. Charlie, Lonnie Halwood, Mika-Jon Lowley, Wilfred Murphy, Malcolm Murphy, and Delfred Murphy.

Honorary pallbearers were Corby Ryan Brown, Tyler Hardy and Brandon Hardy.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Eric T. Billy

GALLUP — Funeral services for Eric Tyler Billy, 31, of Lehi, Utah, will be held today, Jan. 20, at 10 a.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Gallup, with Bishop Wesley Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Gallup.

Eric was born April 23, 1990, in Gallup, into the Bit’ahnii (Under His Cover Clan), born for Chishi. He passed away Jan. 5, 2022, in Salt Lake City.

Eric attended Gallup High School and worked for the Navajo Nation Department of Resource Enforcement for summer youth employment. He also worked for Action Auto and Truck Service, All American Steel Carports, Extreme Rescue, set construction on season 1 of “Yellowstone,” on-set decorating on Hereditary-Greensman on other productions, and Elm Locating and Utility Services.

Eric enjoyed being a gamer, paintball, rugby, camping, fishing, target shooting, traveling, and scaled models.

Eric is survived by his parents, Lula and Darryl Billy; brothers, Jacob Billy, Samuel Billy and Christopher Billy; sister, Jana Billy; and grandmother, Pauline Clarke.

Eric is preceded in death by James Clarke, Howard and Alice Billy, and Keith and Mary Hooper.

Pallbearers will be Jacob Billy, Samuel Billy, Christopher Billy, Manuel Monte, Shane Etsitty, and Patrick Willie.

Honorary pallbearers will be Troy Haskie, Leroy Guara, Preston Clark, and Ernesto Watchman.

A reception will take place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, following services.

Johnnie L. Herder

GALLUP — Graveside service for Johnnie Lee Herder, 69, of Black Soil, Arizona, will be held Friday, Jan. 28, at 10 a.m., at the Gallup City Cemetery.

Johnnie was born Oct. 19, 1952, in Black Soil, into the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan), born for Tótsohnii (Big Water Clan). He passed away Jan. 10, 2022, in Gallup.

Johnnie was employed as a fabricator for DeArmond Body Shop in Gallup.

Johnnie is survived by his brother, Nelson Herder; and sisters, Rose Herder and Lena Herder.

Johnnie is preceded in death by Zonnibah Herder, Carl Herder, Jane Herder, Alice Herder, and Charlie Herder.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

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