Obituaries for January 24, 2024

Angelita W. Gray-Benito

PINEDALE, N.M. — Funeral services for Angelita W. Gray-Benito, 84, of Pinedale, New Mexico, will be held Saturday, Jan. 27, at 10 a.m., at the Pinedale Glory Road Church with Gary Posey and Joe L. Gray Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at the Gray family plot.

Angelita was born Nov. 2, 1939, in Birdsprings, Arizona, into the Tódích’íi’nii/Bįįh bitoodnii (Bitter Water/Deer Spring Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). She passed away Jan. 18, 2024, in Pinedale.

Angelita attended a special program at Intermountain School in Utah and earned a GED diploma and associate degree. She retired as a child care worker.

Angelita is survived by her sons, Stephen Gray, Joe Lee Gray Jr. and Robert Huey; daughters, Elizabeth M. Huey and Peralta Gray; brothers, Ernest Little and Leon Monoroe; sister, Anna Brandis; and two grandsons.

Angelita is preceded in death by her mother, Thelma Monoroe; father, George Young; and husband, Joe Lee Gray-Benito Sr.

Pallbearers will be Isaac Gray, Stephen Dunn, Cody Yazzie, Shane Silago, Jason Silago, and Kerrigan Brandis.

Honorary pallbearers will be Isaac Gray, Stephen Dunn, Cody Yazzie, Shane Silago, Jason Silago, and Kerrigan Brandis.

A reception will take place at the Pinedale Chapter House following services.

Sandy Lee

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Sandy Lee, 57, of St. Michaels, Arizona, will be held Friday, Jan. 26, at 9 a.m., at the St. Michaels Mission Church. Burial will follow at the St. Michaels community cemetery.

Sandy was born April 18, 1966, in Fort Defiance, into the ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan), born for Kinłichíi’nii (Red House People Clan). She passed away Jan. 15, 2024, in St. Michaels.

Sandy was the great-granddaughter of the late Julia Joe who wove the world’s largest Navajo rug (Hubbell-Joe rug is on display in Winslow).

Sandy graduated from Window Rock High School in 1984 and attended Navajo Technical University where she graduated in 2014 with an associate degree in culinary arts.

Following graduation from high school, Sandy worked as a detention officer for the Navajo Nation Police Department. She also worked as a baker/cake decorator at Walmart and a small home business where she baked and decorated cakes along with other culinary foods. She sewed homemade masks during the Covid pandemic and donated to those who were affected by the shortage.

Sandy enjoyed baking and decorating cakes, cooking, sewing, crafting, concerts, and watching football and movies. She was a No. 1 Dallas Cowboys fan and loved being around her friends and family, especially her mother. She loved animals and always went out of her way to make people laugh and just be happy.

Sandy is survived by her parents, Shirley and Sammy Lee Sr.; children, Edward Pooacha and T. Navasie; sisters, Sharon Lee and Lonette Lee; brothers, Darrell Towne, Sammy Lee Jr. and Severan Lee; and one grandchild.
Sandy is preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents.

Pallbearers will be Darrell Towne, Sammy Lee Jr., Severan Lee, Chris Gransen, Amos Lee Jr., Jasper James, Myron John, and Harland Perkins.

A reception will take place at the St. Michaels Mission Hall (gym) following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Willie Sandoval

GALLUP — Funeral services for Willie Sandoval, 93, of Tohatchi, New Mexico, will be held Friday, Jan. 26, at 10 a.m., at the Joshua Generation For Jesus Church in Gallup, with Pastor Dennis Gallegos officiating. Burial will be held at a later date.

Willie was born July 8, 1930, in Fort Defiance, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan). He passed away Jan. 17, 2024, in Gallup.

Willie attended Fort Wingate Boarding School and served in the Army. He was employed with El Paso Natural Gas Company for 33 years and enjoyed traveling, wood working and was a sports fan.

Willie is survived by his sons, Virgil Sandoval, Marvin Sandoval and Galen Sandoval; daughter, Bernadette Sandoval; and three grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Willie is preceded in death by his wife, Esther D. Sandoval; sisters, Alice S. Benallie and Louise Etsitty; and brothers, Thomas Sandoval Sr. and Leo Sandoval.

Pallbearers will be Angelo Sandoval, Joshua Sandoval, Brian Sandoval, Jeremy Sandoval, Jeremy Gray, and Michael Gray.

Honorary pallbearers will be Virgil Sandoval, Marvin Sandoval, Galen Sandoval, Matthew Martin, Steve Ausherman, and the Tohatchi Veterans Organization.

A reception will take place at the Joshua Generation For Jesus Church following services.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Ira T. Custer

GALLUP — Funeral services for Ira Tyler Custer, 59, of Gallup, will be held Monday, Jan. 29, at 10 a.m., at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Gallup.

Ira was born July 13, 1964, in Gallup, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Naaneesht’ézhi Táchii’nii (Charcoal Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water Clan). He passed away Jan. 20, 2024, in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Ira graduated from Gallup High School and was employed as a silversmith and mechanic. He enjoyed basketball, football, bull riding, and cars.

Ira is survived by his wife, Linda Custer; son, Byron Custer; daughter, Cheyenne Custer; mother, Emily Custer; brother, Gary Custer; and sister, Mechel McKinney.

Ira is preceded in death by his father, Benny H. Custer Jr.; daughter, Chenoa Custer; and brother, Myron Custer.

Pallbearers will be Derrick Badonie, Shane Custer, Brandon Lee, Trent Lee, Manuel Vigil, and Cheyenne Custer.

Honorary pallbearers will be Gwen Custer, Kaylen McKinney, Kirah McKinney, Kyle Lee Anderson, and Jaycee Custer.

A reception will take place at the Red Rock Room (east Gallup) following services.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Marie Benally

SHIPROCK — Marie Benally, of Shiprock, passed away Jan. 21. Farmington Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

John Watchman

CHINLE — Graveside service for John Watchman, 82, of Chinle, will be held Friday, Jan. 26, at 10 a.m., in Chinle.

John was born March 4, 1941, in Chinle, into the Nát’oh dine’é Táchii’nii (Tobacco/Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan). He passed away Jan. 18, 2024, in Phoenix.

John attended Chilocco Indian School in Oklahoma, and Intermountain Indian School in Utah. He worked as a sheepherder, shoemaker, railroad worker, and tour guide for Canyon de Chelly.

John enjoyed playing with his cats, planting, drawing, and watching football, wrestling and movies, especially Western, war, and Elvis Presley movies.

John is survived by his wife, Virginia Watchman; son, Jared Watchman; daughters, Sandra Axeline, Patricia Watchman, Karena Bia, and Lorena Teller; brothers, Yazzie Watchman and Tulley Watchman; sister, June Ann; and 19 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and Charlie Watchman Sr.; sister, Louise Woody; and brothers, Charlie Watchman Jr., Leo Watchman, Denny Watchman Sr., Joe Watchman, and Kenneth Watchman Sr.

Pallbearers will be Jarod Teller, Shane Bedonie, Jerren Teller, Keshon Teller, Christopher Williams, and Norris Williams.

Honorary pallbearers will be Darrell Stevens, Fabian Earl Watchman and Kenneth Watchman Jr.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Pastor Harry Cayatineto

STANDING ROCK, N.M. — Funeral services for Pastor Harry Cayatineto, 79, of Crownpoint, were held Jan. 22 at the Sozo Life Fellowship Church in Standing Rock, New Mexico, with Alvin Cayatineto officiating. Interment followed at the Cayatineto family plot.

Pastor Cayatineto was born Aug. 21, 1944, in Crownpoint, into the Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He passed away Jan. 12, 2024, in Crownpoint.

Pastor Cayatineto attended Wingate High School and continued his education in Phoenix. He traveled the West Coast working as an ironworker for numerous years. Later he became a pastor preaching the gospel until he was called home.

Pastor Cayatineto enjoyed playing basketball, walking, playing his guitar, singing, and reading his bible.

Pastor Cayatineto is survived by his sons, Harrison Cayatineto and Larrison Cayatineto; and sisters, Bessie Jimson, Ann James, Juanita Cayatineto, Alice Platero, and Lynda Delgarito.

Pastor Cayatineto is preceded in death by his parents, Irene and William Cayatineto; one sister and five brothers.

Pallbearers were Harrison Cayatineto, Larrison Cayatineto, Anson Chee, Aeneas Chee, Jason Delgarito, and Gurriah Benally.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Kent B. Smith

FLAGSTAFF — Funeral services for Kent B. Smith, 69, of Standing Rock, New Mexico, will be held Monday, Jan. 29, at 9 a.m., at Norvel Owens Mortuary in Flagstaff. Burial will follow at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Camp Navajo in Bellemont, Arizona.

Kent was born Feb. 17, 1954, in Standing Rock, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan). He passed away from a longtime illness on Jan. 20, 2024, in Mesa, Arizona.

Kent attended Diné College and worked as a construction foreman and truck driver with RS Trucking. He was a farm hand and backyard mechanic who enjoyed ranch work, traveling, building homes, and watching sports. He was always happy and helpful and loved spending time with his family.

Kent is survived by his wife, Rena Jefferson; son, Harlyn Jefferson; daughter, Darlynn Jefferson; brothers, Tommy Smith and Jerry Smith; sisters, Nancy Begay, Marie Lansing, Nellie Smith, and Margartt Begay; and one grandchild.

Kent is preceded in death by his mother, Marie Nez-Smith; and father, Wilbur Tsosie.

A reception will take place at the Jefferson’s residence in Tuba City following services.

Novel Owens Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Michael Vandever

NAZLINI, Ariz. — Graveside service for Michael Vandever, 46, of Nazlini, Arizona, were held Jan. 19 in Nazlini, with Silver Creek Mortuary officiating.

Michael was born Oct. 15, 1977, in Fort Defiance, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Deeshchii’nii (Start of the Red Streak People Clan). He passed away Jan. 12, 2024, in Goodyear, Arizona.

Michael graduated from Chinle High School in 1996. He enjoyed drawing and was a big fan of the Denver Broncos.

Michael is survived by his parents, Andrew and Irene Vandever; brother, Marvin Vandever; sisters, Jennifer, Amy and Kimberly; maternal grandparents, Nellie and Kee Benally; and paternal grandparents, Marie and Tony Vandever.

Michael is preceded in death by Mark Vandever.

Pallbearers were Waylon James, Anthony Betom, Elijah James, Leondre Long, Jeremiah Vandever, and Marty Benally.

Honorary pallbearers were Marvin Vandever, Andrew Vandever and Cavan Keesie.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Kevin R. Spencer

GALLUP — Funeral services for Kevin Ryan Spencer, 44, of Purty Rock, New Mexico, will be held Saturday, Jan. 27, at 10 a.m., at the Rollie Mortuary Chapel in Gallup, with Gabe Vallo officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial in Gallup.

Kevin was born March 25, 1979, in Albuquerque, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan). He passed away Dec. 27, 2023, in Los Angeles.

Kevin is survived by his sons, Sonsis Astor and Bryant Nelson; daughter, Leigha Nelson; parents, Lucy Spencer-Johnson and Deswood Johnson; and sister, Jeanette Spencer-Saldivar.

Kevin is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Mary Joe Teller and Kee Teller.

Pallbearers will be Henry Nelson, Curtis Murphy, Seth Lee, Benjamin Saldivar Sr., Cruz Saldivar, and Chris Billie.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bryant Nelson, Sonsis Astor, Myron Spencer, Deswood Johnson, Harry L. Nelson, and Benjamin Saldivar Jr.

A reception will take place at the Grace Baptist Church in Gallup following services.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Billy D. Tsosie

GALLUP — Funeral services for Billy Davidson Tsosie, 82, of Thoreau, New Mexico, will be held Wednesday, Jan. 31, at 10 a.m., at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Jonah High officiating.

Billy was born Oct. 18, 1941, in Purty Rock, New Mexico, into the Kinłitsonii (Yellow House People Clan), born for Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan). He passed away Jan. 20, 2024, in Cottonwood, Arizona.

Billy enjoyed chopping wood, working on vehicles, watching TV, tending to livestock, going to church, listening to music, and building construction.

Billy is survived by his son, Elliott Tsosie; daughters, Brenda Tsosie and Lorinda Davidson; and three grandchildren.

Billy is preceded in death by his wife, Louise Tsosie; daughter, Tanya Tsosie; sister, Mary Nez; and brothers, Charlie Davidson and Larry Davidson.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

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