Obituaries for March 28, 2024

Thomas R. Tracy

FORT DEFIANCE — Memorial services for Thomas “Tommy” Raymond Tracy, 65, of Window Rock, will be held Friday, March 29, at 10 a.m., at the Fort Defiance Presbyterian Church.

Thomas was born Dec. 30, 1958, into the Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He passed away March 17, 2024, in Winslow, Arizona.

Thomas graduated from Ganado High School in 1978 and enlisted in the Marine Corps.

Thomas is most remembered as being a talented chef, having been the “World’s First Navajo Sous-Chef” while working under the mentorship of Chef Don Carlson. He was most in his element while in the kitchen preparing meals for others.

Thomas is survived by his daughters, Tiffany Tracy and Samantha Tracy; son, Keough Tracy; mothers, Lena Ruth Wilson and Dorothy Denny; brothers, Roger Tracy, Kevin Denny and Phillip Denny; and two grandchildren.

Thomas is preceded in death by his brother, Louis Tracy; sister, Barbara Woody; and wife, Grace Tracy.

A potluck reception will follow in the social hall of the Presbyterian Church.

Grace S. Becenti

GALLUP — Funeral services for Grace Silago Becenti, 84, of Mariano Lake, New Mexico, will be held Monday, April 1, at 10 a.m., at the Rollie Mortuary Palm Chapel in Gallup. Burial will follow at the Gallup City Cemetery.

Grace was born May 10, 1939, in Gallup, into the ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan), born for Haltsooí (Meadow People Clan). She passed away March 22, 2024, in Stanford, California.

Grace attended Intermountain School in 1956 and retired from IBM as an electronic assembler. She enjoyed attending sports, camping, cooking, and playing bingo.

Grace is survived by her son, Nelson Becenti Jr.; and daughters, Loretta Becenti and Lila Becenti.

Grace is preceded in death by her husband, Nelson Becenti Sr.; mother, Hasbah Sky Silago; and father, Willie Silago.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Geneva A. Jimmie

WINSLOW, Ariz. — Funeral services for Geneva A. Jimmie, 68, of Winslow, Arizona, will be held Friday, March 29, at 12 p.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1501 N. Kinsley Ave.) in Winslow, with Dennis Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at the Desert View Cemetery in Winslow.

Geneva was born Feb. 8, 1956, in Jeddito, Arizona, into the Mą’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). Her cheii is Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House). She passed away March 23, 2024, in Phoenix.

Geneva attended Southwest Indian School and Lamson College in Phoenix. She was employed at Winslow Memorial Hospital for 20-plus years.

Geneva enjoyed watching TV game shows and soap operas, sewing, puzzles, board games, scrapbooking, and teaching her grandchildren how to bake.

Geneva is survived by her husband, Curtis Jimmie; sons, Sean Jimmie and Brian Jimmie; father, Norman Johnson; brother, Dennis Johnson; sisters, Anita Cordova and Bernita Golding; and eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Geneva is preceded in death by her mother, Gladys Johnson; sister, Helena Spencer; brother, Nate Johnson; and granddaughter, Hanna Jimmie.

Pallbearers will be Marcus Jimmie, Cameron Jimmie, Cedric Jimmie, Bruce Johnson, Alfonso Lovato, and Ronald Jones Jr.

Honorary pallbearers will be Sean Jimmie, Brian Jimmie, Caitlin Jimmie, Curtis Jimmie, Rhonda Jimmie, Hailey Jimmie, and Makayla Jimmie.

A reception will take place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints following services.

Greers Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Paul Jumbo

CHINLE — Graveside service for Paul Jumbo, 76, of Many Farms, Arizona, will be held Wednesday, May 29, at 10 a.m., at the Chinle community cemetery with Pastor Benson Kee officiating.

Paul was born Dec. 1, 1947, in Many Farms, into the Tł’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom People Clan), born for Deeshchii’nii (Start of the Red Streak People Clan). He passed away March 20, 2024, in Phoenix.

Paul worked in construction and with the railroad before retiring.

Paul is survived by his wife, Ella John; daughters, Pauletta, Rebecca G. and Denise; brothers, David Y., Francis Y. and Larry B.; sister, Louise W.; and 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Paul is preceded in death by his son, Jason J.; and daughter, Gwendolyn T.

Pallbearers will be Rudy C., Jameson C., Larusso B., and John C. Jr.

Honorary pallbearers will be David Y. and Francis Y.

A reception will take place at Louise Wagner’s house (1.5 miles south west of Many Farms Chapter) following service.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Clara N. Jesus

GALLUP — Funeral services for Clara Nez Jesus, 59, of Gallup, were held March 22 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Eddie Rodriguez officiating. Interment followed in Gallup.

Clara was born March 13, 1964, in Gallup, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Tł’ógí (Hairy Ones/Weaver-Zia Clan). She passed away March 8, 2024, in Gallup.

Clara attended Church Rock Elementary School and Wingate High School. She was self-employed and enjoyed beadwork, watching movies, traveling, playing at the casino, and spending time with her children.

Clara is survived by her companion, Ernest Livingston; son, Aaron Martin; daughter, Carmen Livingston; brothers, Anderson Eskeets and Andrew Casuse; and sister, Sarah Castiana.

Clara is preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Jean J. Nez; sister, Julia J. Smith; brothers, Charlie Casuse and Fred Eskeets; and nephew, Philbert Smith.

Pallbearers were Bill Sam, Brandon Sam, Jorey Knight, Tyler Yazzie, Benji Thompson, and Rodrick Eskeets.

Honorary pallbearers were Anderson Eskeets, Andrew Casuse and Aaron Martin.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Cameron Carroll

GALLUP — Funeral services for Cameron Carroll, 33, of Twin Lakes, New Mexico, were held March 25 at the All Nations Assembly of God Church in Gallup, with Pastor Fred Long officiating. Interment followed in Fort Defiance.

Cameron was born May 15, 1990, in Fort Defiance. He passed away March 14, 2024, in Gallup.

Cameron is survived by his wife, Stephany Carroll; sons, Cairos Carroll and Cahlil Carroll; parents, Jerrylene Barney and Carolyn Arms; and sisters, Nisha Barney, Taran Barney, Cassie Yazzie, and Chantel Brown.

Cameron is preceded in death by his father, Notah Barney; brother, Conrad Nakai; and grandmother, Marjorie Tom.

Pallbearers were William Tom Jr., Carl Fragua, Herman Tom, Dewayne Biah, Richard Cheama, and Severan Lee.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

Maranda M. Denny

LOW MOUNTAIN, Ariz. – Graveside service for Maranda M. Denny, 57, of Low Mountain, Arizona, will be held Saturday, March 30, at 10 a.m., at the family plot in Low Mountain.

Maranda was born Sept. 18, 1966, in Keams Canyon, Arizona, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tótsohnii (Big Water Clan). She passed away March 26, 2024, in Chinle.

Maranda is survived by her husband, Francis Begay; sons, Montaque Begay, Corin Begay and Shontaque Begay; daughter, Francelita Begay; parents, Martha Joe and Max Denny; brothers, Melvin Denny and Albert Lee Jr.; and sisters, Matilda Tacheene, Mahalia James and Marquerita Denny.

Maranda is preceded in death by her nephews, Marcus Overturf and Richmond Overturf.

A reception will take place at Kurt James residence in Low Mountain following service.

Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

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