Obituaries for Nov. 14, 2019

Maria Becky Lee

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Maria Becky Lee, of Fort Defiance, will be held today, Nov. 14, at 10 a.m. at the Ch’ihootso Baptist Church in St. Michaels, Arizona, with Pastor Scott Merritt officiating. Burial will follow at the family plot (four miles north of Old Red Lake Road).

Maria was born Nov. 8, 2019, in Fort Defiance. She passed away Nov. 8, 2019, in Fort Defiance.

Maria is survived by her parents, Christina Belone and Bucky Lee; brothers, Martine Lee and Marcellous Lee; sister, Lucia Lee; and grandparents, Sylvia Belone and Gilbert Yazzie.

Maria is preceded in death by her uncle, Ferguson Belone.

Pallbearers will be Bucky Lee and Ricky Yazzie Jr.

Honorary pallbearers will be Martine Lee and Albertina John.

A reception will take place at the Fort Defiance Chapter House, following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Anthony Michael Ramirez

GALLUP — Mass service for Anthony Michael Ramirez, 64, will be held today, Nov. 14, at 11 a.m. at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Gallup. Viewing will take place one hour prior to mass at 10 a.m., rosary at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.

Anthony was born Sept. 30, 1955, in Fort Defiance, into the Bit’ahnii (Under His Cover Clan), born for Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan). His nali is Antonio T. Ramirez; chei is Howard Oliver. He passed away Nov. 7, 2019, in Farmington.

After graduating high school in Window Rock, Anthony joined Up With People. The following year he joined the U.S. Marines and later the U.S. Army. After eight years of service, he began school at Arizona State University majoring in dance and music.

During the summer, Anthony took up a job in security at a hospital. It was there he met his wife, Patricia Ramirez. Together they had three daughters.

In the early 1990s, Anthony worked as a restaurant manager and later served as an officer for the Navajo County Sheriff’s Department. He loved drawing, music, and most of all, his family.

Anthony is survived by his wife, Patricia Ramirez; daughters, Megan Ramirez, Bobbi Ramirez and Shelby Ramirez; mother, Dorothy Oliver Ramirez; sisters, Carol Ramirez and Josephine Ramirez; and niece, Dominique.

Anthony is preceded in death by his father, Raymond Herrera Ramirez.

Pallbearers will be Dakota Lope, Ryan Robinson, Ted Grano, James Grano, Charlie Unale, and Anthony Diaz-Ramirez.

Ellevena Mae Cooke

GALLUP — Funeral services for Ellevena Mae Cooke, 40, were held Nov. 13 at the Rollie Palm Chapel in Gallup, with Pastor Nathan Lynch officiating. Interment followed at Sunset Memorial.

Ellevena was born June 12, 1979, in Gallup, into the Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Hashk’aa hadzohí (Yucca Fruit-Strung-Out-In-A-Line Clan). Her nali is Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle); chei is Tó baazhní’ázhí (Two Who Came to Water). She passed away Nov. 4, 2019, in Albuquerque.

Ellevena graduated from Wingate High School in 1998 and was employed with United Gateway Security in San Francisco, California, Raytheon in Farmington, and Bernals Body Shop.

Ellevena is survived by her father, Arthur Cooke; sister, Evangeline Cooke-Toledo; brothers, MacArthur Cooke and Wilson Cooke; and daughters, Kayla Arviso and Kaylyn Arviso.

Ellevena is preceded in death by her mother, Ida Mae Cooke.

Pallbearers were Colin Tso, Ross Anderson, Keevin Begay, Loren Cooke, Paul Arviso, and Derrick Toledo.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Jonathan Avery

GALLUP — Funeral services for Jonathan Avery, 52, were held Nov. 13 at the New Life Apostolic Church in Gallup. Interment followed at the family plot in Coyote Canyon, New Mexico.

Jonathan was born July 6, 1967, in Rehoboth, New Mexico, into the Kinlichíi’nii (Red House People Clan), born for Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together Clan). His nali is Honágháahnii (One-walks-around); chei is Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water). He passed away Nov. 7, 2019, in Albuquerque.

Jonathan graduated from Tohatchi High School in 1985 and worked in law enforcement for over 18 years in which he worked with the Gallup Police Department and became an investigator for the district attorney’s office. He then began working for CCRC, Inc., in Brimhall, New Mexico, until his death.

Jonathan loved to hunt, fish, golf, travel, and lived life to the fullest with his family and friends.

Jonathan is survived by his wife, Sherry Avery; sons, Nathan Avery and Eli Jones; daughters, Natasha Avery, Nadine Avery and Natalia Avery; brother, Martin Avery; sister, Charlene Avery-Hansen; and mother, Jennie Avery.

Jonathan is preceded in death by his father, Robert Avery; and brother, MacDonald Avery.

Pallbearers were Nathan Avery, Justin Willie, Charles Avery, Eric Avery, Elgin Avery, and James B. Benallie.

Karen Larose Tso

GANADO, Ariz. — Funeral services for Karen Larose Tso, 50, of Ganado, Arizona, were held Nov. 12 at the Glory Temple Ministries Church in Ganado, with Jerry and Leta Chee officiating. Interment followed in Ganado.

Karen was born July 30, 1969, in Ganado, into the Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Tódík’ózhí (Salt Water Clan). She passed away Nov. 5, 2019, in Phoenix.

Karen graduated from Provo High School and loved gardening, arts and crafts, and taking care of her pets.

Karen is survived by her sons, Chyles Taliman and Tristynn Davis; daughters, Dinnelle Taliman, Addynia Davis, Kiana Davis, and Eyva Davis; father, Melvin Tso; brother, Kevin Tso; grandparents, Lena Billie, Thomas Lincoln and David Lincoln Sr.; and five grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Chyles Taliman, Tristynn Davis, Brian Chapman, Brian Begay, Lathaniel Tsosie, and Lennix Peshlakai.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Lena Goldtooth Canyon

FLAGSTAFF — Funeral services for Lena Goldtooth Canyon, 103, were held Nov. 9 at the LDS Church (on Lake Mary Road) in Flagstaff.

Lena Canyon was born Feb. 16, 1916, to Frank Goldtooth Sr. and Margaret Bigman, in Grand Canyon, Arizona. Her Navajo name was Asdzáá Nez (Tall Woman). She was of the Bįįh bitoodnii (Deer Spring Clan), born for Tł’ááshchí’í (Red Bottom), Ma’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass), and Tł ízí łání (Many Goats). She peacefully passed away Nov. 5, 2019, at her residence in Tuba City.

Lena’s childhood was spent raising livestock and being the oldest child of a large family. She spent many childhood days assisting her father with many traditional chores since he was quite active as a medicine man, rancher, and on the tribal Council.

As a young girl, Lena loved to play jacks and enjoyed playing basketball.

In 1946, she married D-Day combat veteran, Jefferson Canyon, of Cameron, Arizona.

Lena’s many talents included weaving, gardening, baking, sewing, and knitting. She also enjoyed watching Suns basketball, Chuck Norris and action-packed movies. She enjoyed pinion picking, gathering wood and going to the ranch.

Later in life, she was a key witness in the Bennett Freeze federal court case where she testified to the Navajo use of disputed areas in the Coalmine Mesa and Kerley Valley areas. She made lasting relationships with Brown and Bain tribal attorneys as a result. To the end she took care of her few livestock and small farming area in Kerley Valley.

Lena is survived by her sons, Leonard (Alice), Lee and Leroy, all of Tuba City; daughters, Karen Abe (George) of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Mary Dallas of Tuba City, and Denise Canyon of Maricopa, Arizona; and 10 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Lena is preceded in death by her husband, Jefferson Canyon; son Jessie who passed in infancy; daughter, Leona Canyon; brothers, Ray, Teddy Goldtooth, Keith Goldtooth, Emerson Goldtooth of Tsaile, Arizona, Herbert Goldtooth, Albert Goldtooth, John Goldtooth, and Frank Goldtooth Jr. of Tuba City; and sister, Bertha Knight of Tuba City.

Norvel-Owens Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

---