Obituaries for March 12, 2020

Charlie Kee Lee

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Charlie Kee Lee, 93, of Sawmill, Arizona, will be held today, March 12, at 9 a.m. at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Fort Defiance, with Father Blake officiating. Burial will follow at the Fort Defiance Veterans Cemetery.

Charlie was born July 7, 1926, in Sawmill, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Deeshchii’nii (Start of the Red Streak People Clan). He passed away March 8, 2020, in Fort Defiance.

Charlie attended Sawmill Day School and completed the 7th grade at St. Michael Mission School at the age of 15. Charlie joined the Army and served a tour in World War II stationed in Germany, followed by a second tour in the Korean War.

He did not speak much about his military career and was honorably discharged as private first class. Charlie worked as a heavy equipment operator for Sawmill Navajo Forest Products Industry, retiring in 1990.

He also worked for Navajo Engineering and Construction Authority, Navajo Nation and Navajo Forest Products Industry in Navajo, New Mexico.

In his retirement years, Charlie enjoyed tractors, farming, homesteading, watching sports, crossword puzzles and helped community members to plow fields and grade roads.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Ann Tsosie Lee; sons, Phillip Wauneka of Navajo, Norman Lee of Salt Lake City, and Norbert Lee; daughters, Nora Lee and Norma Lee, both of Sawmill; and 19 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Charlie is preceded in death by his daughter, Mildred Lee; son, Charlie Kee Lee Jr.; granddaughter, Jolene Lee Seal; mother, Asdzalgai; and father, Ford Kee.

Pallbearers will be Jason Wauneka, Brandon Lee, Ernie Tsosie, Wilbert Thomas, Fernando Tilden and Stephen Plummer. Honorary pallbearers will be Phillip Wauneka, Norman Lee and Philander Wauneka.

A reception will take place at St. Dominic’s Hall in Fort Defiance, following services. Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Grace S. Pedro

ALBUQUERQUE — Funeral services for Grace S. Pedro, 75, of Torreon, New Mexico, will be held Friday, March 13, at 11 a.m. at the French Mortuary Chapel (1111 University Blvd., NE) in Albuquerque. Burial will follow at the Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Albuquerque.

Grace was born March 24, 1944, into the Hashtl’ishnii (Mud Clan), born for Táchii’nii Naasht’ézhí (Red Running Into the Water/Zuni Clan). She passed away March 6, 2020.

Grace received a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in business administration. She retired from the Bureau of Indian Education as a human resource specialist.

Grace was an instructor at Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, Utah, an elementary teacher at Mariano Lake Community School for a number of years and instructor at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute.

Grace also worked for the Navajo Nation Department of Education and served as a Board of Education member for Na Neelzhiin Ji Olta Grant School.

Grace is survived by her son, Brent Pedro of Albuquerque; sister, Fannie V. Sandoval of Torreon, and brother, Leonard R. Sandoval of Gallup. Grace is preceded in death by her parents, James and Juanita Sandoval; sisters, Phyllis Cayaditto, Ora Sandoval and Annie S. Gordo; and brothers, Johnson Sandoval, Leo L. Sandoval, Dashne Sandoval and Danny M. Sandoval.

French Mortuary Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

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