Obituaries for Jan. 7, 2016

Betty Tayah Smith

GALLUP

Funeral services for Betty Tayah Smith, 80, were held Jan. 4 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Interment followed at the Houck cemetery in Houck, Ariz.

Betty was born April 20, 1935, in Houck, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tsé Nahabiłnii (Sleep Rock People Clan). Her nali is Honágháahnii (One-walks-around); chei is Tábaahá (Water’s Edge). She died Dec. 26, 2015, in Joseph City, Ariz.

Betty is survived by her sons, Alfred Sam of Gallup, Leonard Sam of Houck, and Junior Smith of Houck; and daughters, Ethel Sam of Gallup, Judy Sam of Houck, Julia Sam of Utah, Germaine Smith of Gallup, and Gertrude Smith of Houck.

Betty is preceded in death by her father, Hoskie Tayah; and mother, Mary Baloo.

Pallbearers were Leonard Sam, Devin Sam, Bryan Sam, Junior Smith, Clifford Russell, and Sheldon Russell.

Honorary pallbearers were Jeremy Sam and Alfred Sam.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Doris Jean Charley

GALLUP

Funeral services for Doris Jean Charley, 55, were held Dec. 31 at Lighthouse International in Gallup. Interment followed at Sunset Memorial Park.

Doris was born Nov. 17, 1960, in Fort Defiance, into the Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Tsé Nahabiłnii (Sleep Rock People Clan). Her nali and chei are Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House). She died Dec. 26, 2015, in Albuquerque.

Doris graduated from Gallup High School and attended Fort Lewis College and University of New Mexico-Gallup Branch. She was employed at Wingate Elementary School as a kindergarten teacher. She also worked with the Family and Child Education program for 25 years at Wingate Elementary. She loved doing ranch work with her spouse and spending time with her grandchildren.

Doris is survived by her spouse, Tony Tom; children, Marvin K. Charley, Duane K. Charley, Phylisha K. Charley, and Charmayne J. Charley; and siblings, Van Ernie Begay, Delphine Begay, Dorsilla Begay, Thelma Yazzie, and Dornelda Begay.

Doris is preceded in death by her parents, Nelson L. Begay Sr. and Loretta K. Begay; and brother, Nelson L. Begay Jr.

Pallbearers were Tony Tom, Marvin K. Charley, Duane K. Charley, Gary Taylor, Silbert Leslie, Wilfred Murphy, and Marcus Vandever.
Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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