Obituaries for May 8, 2025

Alice D. Bates

SHIPROCK – Funeral mass for Alice D. Bates, 95, of Shiprock, will be held Saturday, May 10, at 10 a.m., at Christ the King Catholic Church in Shiprock. Visitation will take place at 9 a.m., followed by rosary at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow at the Kirtland Fruitland Cemetery.

Alice was born June 13, 1929, in Cornfields, Arizona, to John and Katherine Stevens. Her clans were the Naasht’ézhí dine’é Táchii’nii Tséńjíkiní (Zuni/Red Running Into the Water People/Cliff Dwellers People Clan) and Naaneesht’ézhí Táchii’nii Tséńjíkiní (Charcoal Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water/Cliff Dwellers People Clan). She passed away peacefully on May 4, 2025.

Alice attended St. Michaels Indian School and was a seamstress during her early years. She moved to Shiprock from Ganado, Arizona, in 1955, where she was employed as a dorm matron with San Juan Boarding school, then employed at Shiprock Boarding School.

While employed, Alice attended Navajo Community College in Many Farms, Arizona, in the mid-to-late 1960s where she continued her education. On Oct. 6, 1986, she started working at Central Consolidated School District in Shiprock, where she was an educator working with special needs children. She worked alongside Marla Sipes who taught Alice a lot, especially working with the sped children. She retired on May 26, 2006, from the school district.

Alice is survived by her son, Timothy “Chun” Bates; daughters, Cindy Bates-Begay, Nadine Bates, Della Bates, and Clara Bates; sister, Caroline Brown; and 26 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

Alice is preceded in death by her husband, Harry Bates Sr.; sons, Harry “Tots” Bates Jr., Frederick Bates and Levon Bates; daughter, Celina Bates; parents, John and Katherine Stevens; brother, Harold Stevens; and sisters, Ruth Smith, Dorothy Lowe, Carol Kirk, and Anna Frazier.

Pallbearers will be Michael Thomas, Carl Bates, Hostiin Bowman, David Kirk Jr., Aaron Brown, Smeenie Eriacho, and Aria Lomas.

A reception will take place at the Niinahnízaad Chapter House in Fruitland, New Mexico, following services.

Flowers can be sent to Farmington Funeral Home.

 

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Donna M. Christensen

GALLUP – A memorial service for Donna Marie Christensen, 83, beloved wife and mother, will be held Saturday, July 26, at the St. Francis Parish Hall (212 W. Wilson Ave.) in Gallup from noon to 3:30 p.m.

Donna was born Sept. 7, 1941, to George J. Christensen and Anita Tohtsoni, in Rehoboth, New Mexico. She passed away April 22, 2025, after a prolonged illness, surrounded by family in Albuquerque.

Donna grew up in Church Rock, New Mexico, and graduated from Gallup High School in 1959, after which she worked as a medical secretary while managing a family. She continued to explore educational and career opportunities, attaining a graduate degree in education from the University of New Mexico, enabling her to teach English at Gallup High School.

While at Gallup High School, Donna also supported students through development of the American Indian Club. After relocating to Santa Fe, in 1976, she counseled students at the Institute of American Indian Arts. Her desire to further support the American Indian community compelled her to enter law school at UNM where she earned a juris doctorate in 1981, with a focus on water/land rights.

From 1983-1987, Donna was the director for the Navajo Public Defender Office, working under the attorney general, and was ultimately appointed attorney general of the Navajo Nation from 1991-1992. She retired from the Office of Chief Counsel with the U.S. Department of Energy where she was also manager of the Native American Employees Program.

Additionally, Donna served on the Boards of the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, Navajo Education, and served as emeritus member of the First Nations Community HealthSource Board of Directors. Other achievements include: mentor in Albuquerque Public Schools Focus Program and volunteer facilitator for the Juvenile Probation Family Circle in Gallup.
Donna was warm, engaging, and intellectually curious, making each person who met her feel special.

Donna is survived by her loving husband of 35 years, Mark L. Money; children, Mark Parra, Melissa Parra and her husband Michael Schiffer, and Michelle Parra and her husband Sean Hearn; stepson, Mark J. Money; sister, Mattie Christensen; brother-in-law, Richard Showalter; and five grandchildren and one great-grandson.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to First Nations Community HealthSource at fnch.org.

 

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Woodrow Wilson

KIRTLAND, N.M. – Funeral services for Woodrow Wilson, 62, of Sweetwater, Arizona, will be held Friday, May 9, at 10 a.m., at Cope Memorial in Kirtland, New Mexico, with Samuel Wilson officiating. Burial will follow in Kirtland.

Woodrow was born Feb. 9, 1963, in Shiprock. He passed away May 3, 2025, in Farmington.

Woodrow graduated from Red Mesa High School in 1982 and from Salt Lake Technical College in 1984. He worked as an electrician for over 25 years.

Woodrow enjoyed fishing, hiking, riding his motorcycle, gardening, and spending time with his dog, Georgie.

Woodrow is survived by his sons, Ethan and Samuel; daughter, Brittany; brother, Roger; and sisters, Geraldine, Carol, Julia, Lorraine, and Glenna.

Woodrow is preceded in death by his brother, Arviso; parents, Cato and Mary Wilson; and his dog, Georgie.

Cope Memorial oversaw arrangements.

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Freddie H. Brown Jr.

CHINLE – Funeral services for Freddie Herman Brown Jr., 35, of Chinle, will be held Saturday, May 10, at 10 a.m., at the LDS Church in Chinle, with Rudy Yellowhair Sr. officiating. Burial will follow at the Chinle cemetery.

Freddie was born Feb. 23, 1990, in Orem, Utah, into the Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Bįįh bitoodnii (Deer Spring Clan). His nálí is ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People); cheii is Tsénahabiłnii (Sleep Rock People). He passed away April 26, 2025, in Phoenix.

Freddie graduated from Chinle High School in 2008 and studied general studies at Arizona State University. He was a self-taught guitarist and skateboarder. He loved all types of music and would write his own music. He was always ready to have a jam session with his friends and family.

Freddie was a kind-hearted father, son, brother, and a loyal loving friend. We will miss you, Fuzz. Until we meet again.

Freddie is survived by his son, Shiloh Makai Brown; brother, Beau Brown; sisters, Janette Brown, Elizabeth Brown and Cynthia Brown; and grandmother, Louise Benally.

Freddie is preceded in death by his parents, Colleen and Fred Brown; brother, Aaron Brown; and Grant Benally Jr. and Mary and Tsosie Brown.

Pallbearers will be Beau Brown, Derek Fulton, Farren Dawes, Kyle Nez, Anthony Benallie, Billy Nakai, Ryan Martinez, and Jonathan Dan.

Honorary pallbearers will be Shiloh Brown, Norman Brown, Edsel Brown, Nathaniel Brown, Giles Benally, and David Martinez.

A reception will take place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Chinle, following services.

Green Meadows Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

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Craig O. Roberts

GALLUP – Funeral services for Craig O’Neal Roberts, 23, of Pinedale, New Mexico, were held May 3 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Pastor Fred Duboise officiating. Interment followed at the Gallup City Cemetery.

Craig was born Dec. 11, 2001, in Gallup, into the Dziłtł’ahnii (Mountain Cove Clan), born for Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan). He passed away April 26, 2025, in Pinedale.

Craig graduated from Miyamura High School in 2020 and attended one year of college at the University of New Mexico-Gallup. As a summer job, he worked at Ford Canyon Park. He also worked at Springhill Suites and for the city of Gallup.

Craig enjoyed listening to music, attending concerts, playing sports, hiking, being a handyman, driving his car, and spending time with his nieces and nephews.

Craig is survived by his mother, Geneva Willie; sisters, Treva Young, Tiffany Roberts and Danielle Roberts; grandmother, Jessie Largo; and nálí grandmother, Emma Nelson.

Craig is preceded in death by his brother, Gabriel Roberts; father, Nathaniel Roberts; grandfather, Guy Smith Sr.; and nálí grandfather, John Roberts.

Pallbearers were Lewis Largo Jr., Lewayne Largo, Marwin Harvey, Bilson Young, Kaleb Thompson, and Dion Cooke.

Honorary pallbearers were Isaiah Begay, Jacob Begay, O’Rhyan Brown, Nandin Roberts, and Gavriel Roberts.

Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

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Jason W. Shirley

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. – Funeral services for Jason Wesely Shirley, 32, of Klagetoh, Arizona, will be held today, May 8, at 10 a.m., at the Green Meadows Funeral Home in St. Michaels, Arizona, with Ron Harvey officiating. Burial will follow in Klagetoh.

Jason was born March 7, 1993, in Fort Defiance, into the Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Dibéłzhíní (Black Sheep Clan). His nálí is Acoma (Badger Clan); cheii is Naaneesht’ézhí Táchii’nii (Charcoal Streaked Division of the Red Running Into the Water). He passed away April 30, 2025, in Albuquerque.

Jason received a bachelor’s degree in biology and pre-pharmacy at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. He enjoyed judo, writing and speaking Mandarin Chinese, classic guitar, non-profit conservation and environmental work, and traveling all over the U.S.

Jason is survived by his parents, Cynthia and Ronald Deschinny; and brother, Christian Shirley.

Jason is preceded in death by his aunts, Priscilla Richmond, Marcella Arriola and Jennifer Shirley; uncle, Edgar Shirley; and grandparents, Maggie and Edward Shirley.

Pallbearers will be Aaron Romero, Mark Deschinny, Tyler Och, and Marlon Stevens.

Honorary pallbearers will be Christian Shirley and Ronald Deschinny.

A reception will take place at the late Maggie and Edward Shirley’s private residence in Klagetoh, following services.

Green Meadows Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.

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