Obituaries for July 16, 2015

Ella Bilagody Bennett

TUBA CITY — Funeral services for Ella Bilagody Bennett, 99, were held July 8 in Tuba City, with Bobby James Bennett Sr. officiating. Interment followed at the Tuba City cemetery.

Ella was born July 4, 1916, east of Tuba City, at her family’s home. She was Biih bitoodnii (Deer Spring Clan), born for Naasht’ézhi Tábaahá (Zuni Water’s Edge Clan). She died July 4, 2015, at the Flagstaff Medical Center.

Ella began her education when she was about 7 years old at Tuba City Boarding School and continued until she completed 8th grade. She then enrolled at Albuquerque Indian School where she completed 9th and 10th grade. Included in her education was a nurse aide training program, which she completed. Utilizing her schooling and acquired skills, she was put to work at the old Tuba City Hospital for a time.

During her younger years, Ella obtained work with the Civilian Conservation Corp when the Great Depression spread through the U.S., helping to build dams in the Western Navajo Reservation area. When World War II started, she obtained work at Navajo Ordinance Depot in Bellemont, Ariz. She recalled handling bombs and bullets during the course of her work there.

Like many Navajos, Ella and her family obtained migrant work and followed crops, harvesting potatoes, tomatoes, peaches, apples, and cherries.

Ella weaved rugs and made moccasins, sash belts and Navajo dolls. She knew how to drive a big horse drawn wagon but didn’t want to drive a car or a truck. She loved to participate in song and dance gatherings and was never afraid to be the first one out to dance.

Ella was a traditional herbalist and a sought after midwife when children were still born in hogans. She was a practitioner of traditional medicine and knew how to massage using herbs. She was a gardener and knew how to raise crops, taking care of plants until harvest time.

Living within Diné culture was very important to Ella. She taught her family that the holy people and deities were living entities and to respect them. Although she spoke Diné Bizaad, she also spoke the English language fluently. She encouraged all of her family members to learn to speak our language. She was referred to as a “Prayer Warrior” by one of her daughters, as she would arise at 3 or 4 a.m. and pray for many, many people. She had her songs and prayers within her heart and soul, and used them for people who sought her help.

People who knew Ella will always remember her positive outlook on life, her smile and optimism, and her encouragement to seek out the good in this life. She charmed others effortlessly and had such energy that those much younger would struggle to keep up. She was a remarkable woman.

When Ella went home to our Creator, we truly lost a living treasure. She spent her whole life serving others and taught us her wisdom, her compassion, her empathy, her kindness, her patience, and her goodness.

Thank you to our mother, our grandmother, our sister, and our aunt Ella for being a part of our lives. We love you immensely and forever. Farewell, until we meet again.

Ella is survived by her children, Jerry Hadley, Bobby James Bennett Sr., Bob Bennett, Rena Begay, Irene M. George, Arnold J. Bennett, and Rose M. Carr; and 55 grandchildren, 121 great-grandchildren and many great-great-grandchildren.

Ella is preceded in death by her parents, Silas Mike and Thelma Bilagody; husband, John F. Bennett; daughter, Lena Bennett Begay; siblings, John Bilagody, Swet Bilagody, Anna Bilagody Belone, Florence Bilagody, Harry Bilagody Sr., and Wesley Bilagody Sr.; and three children in infancy and childhood, a daughter named Marie, a son named Donald, and an unnamed daughter.

Pallbearers were Floyd Joe, Misael Almeida, Juan Almeida, Melvin Chee, Anderson Bill, and Alvinold Bennett.

Honorary pallbearers were Jerry Hadley, Bobby James Bennett Sr., Arnold James Bennett, and Bob Bennett.

Valley Ridge Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Emma Y. Williams

LUKACHUKAI, Ariz. — Funeral services for Emma Y. Williams, 99, of Lukachukai, Ariz., were held July 6 at St. Isabel Mission with Rose Beck officiating. Interment took place at the Lukachukai cemetery, followed by a reception at the Lukachukai Veterans Center.

Emma was born Oct. 10, 1915, in Round Rock, Ariz., into the Ma’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan), and was born for Tótsohnii (Big Water Clan). She died July 1, 2015 at the Little Colorado Medical Center in Winslow, Ariz.

Emma had a fifth grade education from the Fort Defiance School and was born in a time where education was not important but being employed was. At a very young age she worked as a carrot harvester in Parker, Ariz. She was also a cook at Lukachukai Boarding School. Later in life, she was a homemaker while her husband, Cecil Williams, worked the railroads in various cities around the country.

Emma was a member of the senior citizen home in Lukachukai, where she served as vice president and president. She enjoyed weaving rugs, herding sheep and spending time with her grandchildren.

Emma is survived by her daughters, Barbara Baldwin, Fannie Williams and Mary Williams; sisters, Minnie Lowe, Maggie Bedonie, Helen Wagner, Mary Yazzie and Julia Brown; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Emma is preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Williams; son, Edison Paschel Williams; parents, Ason Yazzie and Hasteii Bahii; and Lorin Lazaro Baldwin.

Pallbearers were Ryan Williams, Myron Williams, Marlin Harvey, Quelice Williams, Damian Soto and Thoer Peterman.

Honorary pallbearers were Barbara Baldwin, Fannie Williams, Mary Williams, Alice Neokok, James Shorty, Roselyn Shorty, Marie Long, Wilfredo Rodriguez, Sparkey Bennie, Gerardo Fernandez, Paul Cruz and great-grandchildren.

Desert View Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Sadie Thomas

MARIANO LAKE, N.M. — Funeral services for Sadie Thomas, 71, will be held Friday, July 17, at 10 a.m. at the Bible Ministry of Mariano Lake. Burial will follow at the family plot in Mariano Lake.

Sadie was born July 5, 1944, in Crownpoint, into the Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan). Her nali is Biih bitoodnii (Deer Spring); chei is Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). She died July 12, 2015, in Gallup.

Sadie attended Intermountain School and was self-employed operating her own residential cleaning service, silversmith and rug weaver. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, traveling, reading the bible, and cooking for her family.

Sadie is survived by her husband, Johnson Thomas; children, Johnny Willie, Charleston Willie, Cindy Willie, Sandy Willie, and Melvin Willie; brothers, Tom Grey and Emerson Grey; and sisters, Sarah Morgan and Louise Gruber.

Sadie is preceded in death by her son, Calvin Willie; brother, Raymond Grey; parents, Mae and James Grey; and grandparents, Chee Johnson and Martha Thompson.

Pallbearers will be Brandon Willie, Johnathan Willie, Michael Nez, Aaron Begay, Buckey Begay, and Lyle Begay.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Rev. Paul and Mary Ann Stone

GANADO, Ariz. — A memorial service and a celebration for life for Rev. Paul and Mary Ann Stone will be held Sunday, July 19, at 11 a.m. at the Ganado Presbyterian Church (1 Mission Way).

Rev. Stone served as the pastor for Ganado Presbyterian Church and Mary Ann Stone taught at Ganado High School for 22 years until their retirement in 2003.

Mary was born Jan. 30 and passed away July 5, 2014. Paul was born Aug. 17, 1933 and passed away Feb. 4, 2015.

Beryle Monroe

LEUPP, Ariz. – Funeral services for Beryle Monroe, 94, were held July 10 at the Leupp Presbyterian Church. Interment followed at the family plot in Leupp.

Beryle was born March 6, 1921, in Tolani Lake, Ariz., into the çshiihi (Salt People Clan), and was born for Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan). His nál’ is Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House) and his chei is Hashk’aa hadzóh’ (Yucca Fruit-Strung-out-in-a-Line). He died July 6, 2015, in Winslow, Ariz.

Beryle lived his childhood in and around the reservation. He served in the U.S. Army (World War II) veteran. He worked and retired from the BIA (Leupp Boarding School).

Beryle is survived by his wife, Theresa Monroe; sons, Raymond Monroe and Johnny Monroe; daughters, Elsie Honheva, Lena McCabe and Rena Monroe; brothers, John T. Yazzie, Guy Yazzie and Robert Yazzie; sister, Ethal Long and stepchildren, Robert Begay, Ernie Begay and Mary Lou Lewis.

Beryle is preceded in death by his first wife, Elizabeth Monroe; daughters, Grace Monroe and Amy Spears; brothers, Tso Juan Begay and Wilmer Yazzie; sister, Lillie Benally; father, Todacheenie Yazzie and mother, Alma Yazzie.

Pallbearers were Isidro Monroe, Ivan Monroe, Derwin McCabe, Jaye Monroe, Eric Talahytewa, Jerrick Monroe, Lance Monroe, Mario Hongeva, Elan Talahytewa, Dedrick McCabe, Lyman Lewis and Lionel Lewis.

Greer’s Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Condolences can be sent to www.greersmortuary.com.

Marie Lopez

OJO ENCINO, N.M. — Funeral services for Marie Lopez, 75, of Ojo Encino, N.M., were held July 11 at the Navajo Mission Life Center Church in Ojo Encino, with Rev. Christopher Trombetta officiating. Interment and a reception followed in Ojo Encino.

Marie was born into the çshiih’ (Salt People Clan) and was born for Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan). She died July 6, 2015, in Ojo Encino.

Marie was a homemaker. She is survived by her sons, Harold Lopez and Harris Lopez; daughters, Rena Martinez, Marlinda Martinez, Pauline Lopez, and Kathaleen Joe; sister, Juanita Augustine; 20 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Marie is preceded in death by her mother, Juanita Platero; father, Fransico Lopez and brothers, Lucero Lopez, George Lopez and Dick Lopez.

Pallbearers were Johnson Martinez, Richard Martinez, Elleray Augustine, Eric Montoya, Benjimin Lopez and Benji Sam.

Honorary pallbearers were Harold Lopez and Harris Lopez.

Daniels Family Funeral Services-Alameda Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Robert Pearson Ray Sr.

KAYENTA – Robert Pearson Ray Sr. “Bob Ray” passed away April 17, 2015, in Kayenta. He was born April 8, 1942, in Schenectady, N.Y.

Bob honorably served in the U.S. Marine Corps from Sept. 29, 1960 to Sept. 28, 1964. He went on to own his own mobile restoration business as a journeyman electrician and heavy equipment mechanic. He became a gunsmith and did competition shooting for a hobby.

Bob was very well respected among the Navajo community where he lived, and was treated as one of their own. This kind hearted and generous man will be dearly missed.

Bob is survived by his daughters, Bonnie Rydberg and Anita Ray; sons, Robert Ray Jr. and William Ray; and nine grandchildren.

For service information, contact Bob’s family at bonbonray71@yahoo.com.

---