Obituaries for June 9, 2022

Lorene P. Hersey

FRUITLAND, N.M. – Our precious mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Lorene Phyllis Hersey, passed on and into the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the morning of May 27, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.

A celebration of life was held on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at the Hills Church (aka Pinon Hills Church) in Farmington, with viewing taking place before the service. Interment was at the Kirtland/Fruitland Cemetery in Kirtland.

Lorene was born in Lower Fruitland on Feb. 2, 1934, to John Dick Barber and Ałk’i jiibaa’ Nez Barber, meaning, ‘One who wars on all sides and comes back together” (a powerful name). She was Ashiihii, born for Tachii’nii. Her Navajo name was K’éh yiłnazbaa’, which means “friendly wherever she goes.”

From an early age, Lorene learned the importance of hard work and a strong work ethic from herding sheep. She lived and herded sheep in Fruitland and Table Mesa, New Mexico. She longed to attend school but was told to stay and herd sheep. However, at age 12, her aunt agreed and signed her up for a five-year school program at Stewart Indian Boarding School in Stewart, Nevada. She truly enjoyed her time there learning different life skills, like how to manage money, how to find a job, etc. While she was there, she met Wilson T. Brown with whom she married and later had seven children. After finishing school, she and Wilson did some work in San Jose, California, area.

Lorene moved back to the Gallup area and worked at the Ranch Kitchen as a waitress, then with Tse Bonito Elementary as a cook’s helper and school bus driver. Lorene moved back to Fruitland after divorcing Wilson. She later met/married Harold E. Hersey with whom they adopted her cousins’ children, Stephanie, and Eldon. She just could not give up yet another child when she and Harold were foster parents to many children.

Lorene had a tremendous love for the Lord and her faith in God was strong. She traveled the Navajo Nation and the United States as part of the singing ministry the Fruitland Gospel Trio, sharing the love of God. Lorene recorded six albums including one solo album. She also participated in a rest home ministry sharing God’s love through song and the Word. Her faith was evident in her walk and talk. She always said, “The Lord is with me always.”

In the year 2000, Lorene was selected Women of the Year in the state of New Mexico. Thirty women were selected out of 30,000 applicants. Then-Gov. Gary Johnson presented the plaques.

Lorene loved her family and friends and cherished the time she spent with them. She is greatly missed by all those who knew her.

Lorene is survived by her children, Cynthia Trujillo with husband Arvin, Gloria Tom with husband, Leland, Janice Brown, Sandra Polacca with husband Gerald, Stephanie Cummings with husband Lee Sr., and Eldon Hersey; grandsons, Michael Brown (wife Mychelle), Justin Pioche, Geoffrey Trujillo, Casey Tom, Khali Pioche, Tristan Sandoval (girlfriend Lael) and Lee Cummings Jr; granddaughters, Crystal Tom, Tondalia Brown States (husband Tim), Olivia Trujillo, Danielle Sandoval, Lacey Trujillo and Tia Pioche; great-grandsons: Devin Brown, Kevin and David States and Noah and Mateo Sandoval; and great-granddaughters, Aryanna, Araalyn and Desiree Brown and Nizhonibah States.

Lorene is preceded in death by her parents, John Dick Barber and Ałk’i jiibaa’ Nez Barber; sons, Larry Brown, Jay T. Brown and Gary W. Brown; and sister, Eleanor B. Robinson.

Our family is so grateful for the enormous outpouring of love and support during this difficult time. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Eugene M. Yoe

NAVAJO, N.M. – Funeral services for Eugene Michael Yoe, 40, of Navajo, New Mexico, were on June 7, 2022.

Services took place at Silver Creek Mortuary (Tse Bonito). Burial took place at the family plot in Navajo.

He was born on Oct. 25, 1981, in Fort Defiance. Yoe passed away on May 31, 2022, in Navajo.

His clans are Ta’baahi, born for Tach’ii’nii.

Yoe graduated from Navajo Pine High School. He was employed with Route 66 Tire Shop in Gallup.

His interest was helping his family and friends, and he enjoyed fixing things.

Yoe is survived by his daughter, Erika Yoe; mother, Marie Cornfield; siblings, Stanley Cornfield, Cheryl Lowley and Ricky Yoe; and one grandchild. Yoe is preceded in death by his father Gilbert Yoe Sr.

Pallbearers were Ricky Yoe, Marcus Chester, Everett Johnson Jr. Elmore Johnson, Nathaniel Henry and Rekobe Begay.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Lester Bahe

GANADO – Graveside services for Lester Bahe, 66, of Ganado, Arizona, were held on June 8, 2022. He was born on Aug. 24, 1955, at Ganado Hospital. He passed away on May 27, 2022, in Sanders.

His clans are Coyote Pass, born for Edge Water.

Bahe completed his 8th grade education. He also enjoyed riding his bike, hiking, horseback riding and politics.

Bahe is survived by his sons, Lelis Bahe of Tsaile, Jon-Mykal, Lemonte J., LeManuel M. and Lionel L. Tsinajinnie of Klagetoh; daughters, Leslie Morgan of Standing Rock and Jennifer Salina of Mesquite, Nevada; brother, Eddie Bahe of Ganado; sister, Lucy Nez of Ganado; and 17 grandchildren.

Pallbearers were his family members.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Harold Tracy

CAMERON, Ariz. – Graveside services for Harold Tracy, 60, of Cameron, Arizona, were held on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at Cameron Community Cemetery. Richard R. Tracey officiated services.

Harold Tracy was born on June 8, 1961, at Tuba City Regional Health Care. He passed away May 22, 2022, in Cameron.

His clans are Todich’iinii (Bitter Water), born for Kinyaa’aanii (Towering House).

Harold Tracy graduated from Tuba City High School. He worked in construction as a wood framer and carpenter. He was also a gifted guitar player and he was very fond of playing Blues music.

He is survived by his parents, Rose and Francis Tracy Sr.; daughters, Melody Tracy, Jolene Tracy, Tamisha Jensen and Heather Tracy; brothers, John Tracy, Francis Tracy Jr. and Patrick Tracy; sisters, Nita Tracy and Aleta Tracy; and 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild on the way.

Harold Tracy is preceded in death by his son, Joseph Kyle Tracy; brothers, Ray Tracy, Truman Tracy and Lawrence Tracy; and sister, Rebecca Tracy.

Valley Ridge Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Andrew B. Begay

WINDOW ROCK – Funeral services for Andrew Bryan Begay, 21, of Window Rock, are pending. Begay was born Dec. 20, 2000, in Fort Defiance. He passed away on June 1, 2022, in Window Rock.

His clans are Bitter Water Clan, born for Big Water Clan.

Begay attended Window Rock Unified School District, and Navajo Pine High. He was a laborer, and worked in mechanics. He liked to draw, watch movies, throw footballs, and he enjoyed taking long walks and loved the outdoors and fishing.

Begay is survived by his brothers, Ottis Begay and Adrian Begay; sisters, Sky Lane Begay and Odessa Begay.

Begay is preceded in death by his father, Lee C. Bitsuie of Steamboat, Arizona; grandparents, Francis Begay and Irene Meyers of Steamboat.

Pallbearers are to be Leander Meyers, Adrian Begay, Cordell Begay, Darren Begay, Joe Reale and Al Bitsui.

Silver Creek Mortuary is overseeing arrangements.

Jimmie Clark

CRYSTAL, N.M. – Graveside services for Jimmie Clark, 89, of Crystal, New Mexico, will be held at 10 a.m. this morning, June 9, 2022. Burial will take place at the family plot in Crystal.

Clark was born on March 25, 1933, at Teestoh, Arizona; he passed away on June 5, 2022, in Crystal.

His clans are Ashihii, born for Dzil Tla’nii.

He attended the Special Navajo Program at Chilocco Indian School at Chilocco, Oklahoma.

Clark retired from the Navajo Nation Water Resources Department after 33 years. He was also a DIY Cleaner in Flagstaff, Arizona. Clark was a rancher, a farmer, he was also a community leader as Crystal Chapter vice president and a life-long member of the Native American Church/Azee’ Bee Naghaha of Diné Nation.

Clark is survived by his wife, Irene Hardy Clark; sons, Virgil, Victor, Ferlin, and Fitzgerald Clark; daughter, Teresa Clark; parents, Jack and Marie Clark; brothers, David Clark, Bahe Clark, Charles Clark, George Clark, Raymond Clark and Vern Clark; sisters, Alta John, Rose Begay, Amelia Buckskin, Verna Clark and Juanita Tsinajinii; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Clark is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Marie Clark; brother, Bahe Clark; sister, Verna Clark; and sons, Gene and Louie Clark.

Pallbearers are Virgil Clark, Victor Clark, Fitzgerald Clark, Klayton Clark, Kylie Clark, and Jared Billie.

Honorary pallbearers are David Clark, George Clark, Charles Clark and Ferlin Clark.

Summit Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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