Obituaries for Nov. 11, 2021

Joann Hubbard

GALLUP — Funeral services for Joann Hubbard, 68, of Manuelito, New Mexico, will be held Friday, Nov. 12, at 1:30 p.m., at the Lighthouse Church in Gallup, with Pastor Agnes and Alvin Cayatineto officiating. Burial will follow at the Gallup City Cemetery.

Joann was born June 17, 1953, in Ganado, Arizona. She passed away Oct. 25, 2021, in Albuquerque.

Joann’s main occupation was in the restaurant business as a waitress/carhop. She loved to crochet and read the Bible.

Joann is survived by her brothers, Jerry Shorty and Terry Shorty; sisters, Pearl Jean Shorty and Irene Bryant; and five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Joann is preceded in death by her son, Famous Hubbard.

Pallbearers will be Branyan Johnson, Kyle Joe, Dexter Shorty, Ozzy Tso, and Vine Bowman.

Honorary pallbearers will be Kyle Joe and Tyshi Hubbard.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Rita Begay

GALLUP — Funeral services for Rita Begay, 68, of Lupton, Arizona, will be held Wednesday, Nov. 17, at 10 a.m., at the Rollie Mortuary Chapel in Gallup. Burial will follow in Picuris Pueblo, New Mexico.

Rita was born Nov. 10, 1952, in Lupton, into the Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan), born for Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together Clan). She passed away Nov. 6, 2021, in Fort Defiance.

Rita graduated from Intermountain High School and earned an associate in accounting. She enjoyed cooking, reading, doing jewelry and silversmith work, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Rita is survived by her brothers, William Begay, Roland Begay and Wilford Begay; sisters, Marie Begay and Marjorie Begay; and three grandchildren.

Rita is preceded in death by her husband, Jimson Simbolo; sons, El-Lee Mustache and Christopher Simbolo; brothers, Wilson Begay Jr., Clifford Begay and Leo Leroy Begay; sister, Nancy Begay; parents, Nellie Slim Begay and Wilson Begay Sr.; and grandparents, Mary and Tom Slim.

Honorary pallbearers will be Nehemiah Mustache, William Begay, Roland Begay, Wilford Begay, and Edward Haswood.

A reception will take place at Rita Begay’s residence (1.8 miles west of the Lupton Chapter House), following services.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Myron E. Gordon

HOUCK, Ariz. — Funeral services for Myron E. Gordon, 38, of Houck, Arizona, will be held Friday, Nov. 12, at 10 a.m., at the Good News Church in Houck, with Rexson Spean officiating. Burial will follow in Houck.

Myron was born Sept. 18, 1983, in Gallup, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Dibéłzhíní (Black Sheep Clan). He passed away Nov. 2, 2021, in Fort Defiance.

Myron attended Highland High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, and at 16 years old he started working as a cook at Cinegrill in Salt Lake City for eight years. He also worked as an ironworker for three years in Phoenix, and independent contractor in 2009.

Myron enjoyed playing basketball, drawing, building anything he could get his hands on, and witnessing to people on the street. His motto was “One”.

Myron is survived by his son, Norbona Gordon; daughters, Keyannah Gordon, Brooke Gordon, Sunshine Burnside, and Journey Burnside; father, Gilbert Gordon; and brothers, Kurt Spean, Mario Gordon, Jarod Gordon, and Nathan Gordon.

Myron is preceded in death by his mother, Pauline Spean Gordon; maternal grandparents, Willie and Cecilia Joe Spean; and paternal grandparents, Dorothy and Harold Gordon.

Pallbearers will be Kurt Spean, Jarod Gordon, Mario Gordon, Nathan Gordon, Samuel Spean, and Lemuel Spean.

Honorary pallbearers will be Wayne Spean, Frankie Martinez, Walter Silversmith, and Sampson Spean.

A drive-thru reception will take place at Melinda Spean-Austin’s residence, following services.

Summit Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Pearl Kitty Napa

CANYON DE CHELLY, Ariz. — A Celebration of Life for Pearl Kitty Napa was held Nov. 10 at Canyon de Chelly, Arizona.

Kitty was born Oct. 28, 1956, in Gallup. She quietly passed away Nov. 3, 2021.

Kitty was a perfect example of humble selflessness and tenacity. She was a health care worker until she recently retired.

Kitty has always taken care of her young nieces and nephews. Many people have expressed their love for her and how they will miss her easy smile.

One of Kitty’s greatest joys was being with family. Her father was a Navajo Code Talker in World War II and her mother was a weaver.

Kitty filled her life with children who needed and loved her. She loved her work as a nurse and enjoyed playing pool. We often teased her about being a pool shark. She would gently smile and say nothing. We will miss her. She made a powerful impact on those lives she touched.

Kitty is survived by her siblings, Evangeline Hartsock, Beverly Buckinghorse, Angeline Tsosie, and Mike Napa.

Kitty is preceded in death by her parents, Meda and Martin Napa; and sister, Madeline Etsitty.

Donations can be made directly to Summit Mortuary or to Wells Fargo (Funeral Fund for Pearl Kitty Napa, account number: 3963951227).

Summit Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Ricardo Cling

BLACKROCK, Ariz. — Graveside service for Ricardo Cling, 52, was held Nov. 6 at the Litson family plot in Blackrock, Arizona, with Bishop Luke Deswood and First Counselor Michael O’ Daniel officiating.

Ricardo was born Nov. 27, 1968, in Huntington Park, California. He was a member of the Navajo Nation of the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Mą’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan). He passed on Nov. 1, 2021, in Chandler, Arizona.

Ricardo graduated from Monument Valley High in Kayenta, Arizona, in 1986. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Desert Storm. In the military he was trained as a generator technician and was honorably discharged in June of 1991.

Ricardo earned a certificate in automotive tech and became a journeymen electrician. At the time of his death he was employed with SRP, Coolidge Generating Station.

Ricardo is survived by his wife of 26 years, Becky Nave-Cling; parents, Billy and Mae Cling of Shonto, Arizona; brothers, Marvin Cling (Kate) of Sipayik, Maine, Billy Cling Jr. (Danielle) of Clinton, Oklahoma, and Michael Youngbear of Denver; sisters, Kim Blackburn (Tony) of Venison, Texas, and Tisha Cling (LeManuel Kescoli) of Salt Lake City, Utah; and was much beloved by many nieces and nephews.

Ricardo is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Max and Gertie (Austin) Littlesalt of Tsegi (Marsh Pass), Arizona; and paternal grandparents, Edgar and Ada (Begay) Cling of Inscription House, Arizona.

Pallbearers were Jerry Cling, Brock Sloan, Darwin “Win” St. Clair, Issac Mark, Bryan Beaver St. Clair, and Thomas Litson.

Honorary Pallbearers were Kim Cling Blackburn, Tony Blackburn, Billy Cling Jr., Knickel Sloan, Noah St. Clair, Daniel Nave, and Steven Litson.

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