Obituaries for January 23, 2025

Wallace Hanley

FORT DEFIANCE — Memorial service for Wallace Hanley, 87, of Window Rock, will be held Saturday, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m., in Fort Defiance.

Wallace was born Aug. 6, 1937, in Ganado, Arizona, into the Tł’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom People Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). His nálí is Mą’ii Deeshgiizhnii (Coyote Pass-Jemez); cheii is Bit’ahnii (Under His Cover). He passed away Jan. 10, 2025.

Wallace received a bachelor’s degree in education and retired as the Navajo Nation director of facilities maintenance. He enjoyed golfing, walking, and watching NFL and college sports.

His children survive Wallace, Gail Hanley, and Mike Hanley; brother, Benjamin Hanley; and seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Wallace is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Hanley.

A reception will take place at the Fort Defiance Presbyterian Church following the service.

Samaritan Funeral and Cremation Services oversaw arrangements.

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Roger Smith

GALLUP — Graveside service for Roger Smith, 79, of Tsayatoh, New Mexico, will be held Friday, Jan. 31, at 11 a.m., at the Gallup State Veterans Cemetery.

Roger was born March 28, 1945, in Fort Wingate, New Mexico, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan). He passed away Dec. 29, 2024, in Sacramento, California.

Roger is survived by his children, Sofia Smith and Pamela Smith; siblings, Eleanor Jim, Phillip Smith, and Kee Smith; and one grandchild.

Cope Memorial oversaw arrangements.

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Raymond Charles

FARMINGTON — Funeral services for Raymond Charles, 66, of Crownpoint, will be held Friday, Jan. 24, at the UPC Church in Farmington. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens in Farmington.

Raymond was born Nov. 22, 1958, in Crownpoint, into the Tsin sikaadnii (Clamp Tree Clan), born for Dibéłzhíní (Black Sheep Clan). His nalí is Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House); cheii is Tó baazhní’ázhí (Two Who Came To the Water). He passed away Jan. 12, 2025, in Provo, Utah.

Raymond attended Wingate High School and New Mexico Junior College. He worked as a welder and enjoyed riding saddle broncs at rodeos.

Raymond is survived by his children, Sacheen Charles, Orlinda Ashley, Tina Keoni, and Marc Tallie; his siblings, Irene Charles, Lalora Charles, Annie Tso, Emily Begay, and Nelson Charles; and nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Raymond is preceded in death by Harry and Mae Charles, Marie, Gene, Cameron, Jones, Jimmy, and Henry Charles.

Pallbearers will be Eric Ashley, Eric Ashley Jr., Darrion Ashley, Xavier Ashley, Cedric Damon, and Nelson Charles.

A reception will take place at the United Pentecostal Church in Farmington following services.

Brewer, Lee and Larkin oversaw arrangements.

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Everett M. Begay

ALBUQUERQUE — Funeral services for Everett Michael Begay, 63, of Albuquerque, were held Jan. 22 in Albuquerque. Interment followed at the Tohatchi cemetery in Tohatchi, New Mexico.

Everett was born Feb. 15, 1961, in Albuquerque, into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan). He passed away Jan. 14, 2025, in Albuquerque.

Everett attended Valley High School and TVI. He was employed as a carpenter and enjoyed sports, bike riding, and woodworking.

Everett is survived by his siblings, Steven Begay and Joan Begay; and his mother, Ella Chato-Begay.

Everett is preceded in death by Allen Begay, Jeffery Begay, Darrell Begay, and Karen Begay.

Director’s Choice Mortuary Service oversaw arrangements.

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Wayne D. Hardy

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Wayne David Hardy, 62, of Fort Defiance, were held Jan. 20 at the Good Shepard Mission in Fort Defiance, with Rev. Leon Sampson and Rev. Cathlena Plummer officiating. Interment followed in Fort Defiance.

Wayne was born May 28, 1962, in Fort Defiance, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He passed away Jan. 14, 2025, in Fort Defiance.

Wayne attended school at Seventh Day Adventist in Holbrook, Arizona, and was employed as a Window Rock Unified School District custodian. He enjoyed taking long walks, tending to his animals and land, and watching crime TV shows.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Karen Hunter; sons, Floyd Hardy, Christopher Hardy, Freddie Hardy, and Ty Hardy; daughter, Erica Hardy; brothers, Timothy Hardy, Jonathan Jose, Joe Jose, and Andy Hardy; sisters, LaCinda Hardy-Constant, Arlene Yazzie and Charlene Curley; grandfathers, Ralph Plummer and Tom Chischilly Sr.; and three grandchildren.

Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, Tom C. Hardy and Rev. Margaret F. Hardy.

Pallbearers were Alfred Mike III, Christopher Hardy, Floyd Hardy, Manuel Cleveland, Norman Stewart, and Darrell Smith.

Honorary pallbearers were Jonathan Jose, Timothy Hardy, Joe Jose, Ty Hardy, Andy Hardy, Michael June, and Freddie Hardy.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

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Nathaniel Roberts

GALLUP — Funeral services for Nathaniel Roberts, 56, of Gallup, will be held Saturday, Jan. 25, at 10 a.m., at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Fred Duboise officiating. Burial will follow at the Gallup City Cemetery.

Nathaniel was born Aug. 15, 1968, in Fort Defiance, into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He passed away Jan. 16, 2025, in Gallup.

Nathaniel attended Pine Hill High School and worked as a laborer.

Nathaniel is survived by his son, Craig Roberts; daughters, Treva Young, Tiffany Roberts, and Danielle Roberts; mother, Emma Nelson; brother, Emerson Roberts; and sisters, Marilyn Smith, Datta Bowman and Dinah Begay.

Nathaniel is preceded in death by his son, Gabriel Roberts; and father, John Roberts.

Pallbearers will be Emerson Roberts, Charles Smith, Dan Bowman, Tyler Bowman, Kyle Smith, and Elijah Bowman.

Honorary pallbearers will be Brandon Bowman, Isaiah Begay, Jacob Begay, O’Rhyan Brown, Nandin Roberts, and Gaveril Roberts.

A reception will be announced following services.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

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Virginia Martinez

GALLUP — Funeral services for Virginia Martinez, 66, of Gallup, will be held Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 10 a.m., at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Marjorie Long officiating. Burial will follow in Thoreau, New Mexico.

Virginia was born June 1, 1958, in Crownpoint, into the ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan), born for Haltsooí (Meadow People Clan). She passed away Jan. 20, 2025, in Flagstaff.

Virginia graduated from Wingate High School in 1978 and attended Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. She was self-employed in making arts and crafts.

Virginia enjoyed making jewelry, weaving rugs, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Virginia is survived by her sons, Denson D. Becenti, Darrell R. Martinez and Darren J. Becenti; daughter, Carvonna D. Becenti Long; brother, Benny Long; sisters, Alice Long and Janet Mariano; and seven grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Darren Becenti, Darrell Martinez, Jordan Long, Josiah Long, Samuel Bruce, and Mathew Bruce.

Honorary pallbearers will be Denson Becenti, Alvin Long, and Benny Long.A reception will take place at the Casamero Lake Chapter House following services.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

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