Obituaries for Sept. 7, 2017

Helen Rose Winney

CHINLE — Funeral services for Helen Rose Winney, 89, will be held Saturday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Burial will follow at the Chinle Community Cemetery.

Helen was born July 27, 1928, into the Deeshchii’nii (Start of the Red Streak People Clan), born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). Her nali and chei are Tód’ch’’i’nii (Bitter Water). She died Sept. 2, 2017.
Helen was a homemaker and seamstress who loved to cook for all her children and visitors. She loved to crochet, sing songs and attend Native American Church meetings.

Helen is survived by Evelyn Bedonie of Chinle, Angie Gurue of Denver, Lena Begaye of Gallup, Selena Winney of Shiprock, Gina Winney of Albuquerque, Mike Winney of Yatahey, New Mexico, and Koshy Winney of Chinle.

Helen is preceded in death by her husband, Dale E. Winney Sr.; sons, Gilbert Winney and Dale E. Winney Jr.; parents, Rose and John Walker; and brother, Samy Walker Sr.

Pallbearers will be Tilford Winney, Gilford Winney, Chauncey Hall Sr., Chauncey Hall Jr., Olin Bekis and Isiah Bedonie.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Jeannie Chee Arthur

VANDERWAGEN, N.M. — Funeral services for Jeannie “Janet” Chee Arthur, 62, will be held today, Sept. 7, at 10 a.m. at the Broken Arrow Bible Ranch in Vanderwagen, New Mexico. Burial will follow at the Pinetree Mission Cemetery.

Jeannie was born in Zuni, New Mexico, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan). Her nali is Kinlichii’nii (Red House People); chei is Tód’k’ózh’ (Salt Water). She passed away in Zuni.

Jeannie is survived by Paul Yazzie, Rena Chee, Vernon Chee Sr., June Benally and Darrell Chee.

Jeannie is preceded in death by Eddie Skeet, Baldwin Chee and Steven Chee.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Chee T. Largo

WHITE POINT, N.M. — Funeral services for Chee T. Largo, 79, will be held Saturday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. at the Seven Church Pentecostal in White Point, New Mexico. Burial will follow at the family plot in White Point.

Chee was born March 8, 1938, in White Horse, New Mexico, into Zia, born for Haltsoo’ (Meadow People Clan). He died Aug. 31, 2017.

Chee was employed as a storekeeper at Borrego Pass Trading for 17 years and was a janitor at Crownpoint Police Department for 15 years. He enjoyed traveling, driving, cooking and attending revivals.

Chee is survived by his sister, Grace Mescal; daughter, Louva Enrico; and sons, Kunsey Chavez, Leon Chavez Sr., Emerson Chavez and Gino Chavez.

Chee is preceded in death by his father, Johnny Largo; mother, Marie Chapo Largo; sister, Juanita Chavez; and sons, Kelsey Chavez, Henry Chavez and Reynold Chavez.

Pallbearers will be Ericson Chavez, Kendrix Largo, Adrian Mescal, Fred Pablo, Lester Wilson and Brian Largo.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Theodore L. Ranger

TOHATCHI, N.M. — Funeral services for Theodore L. Ranger, 55, will be held Friday, Sept. 8, at 10 a.m. at the Tohatchi LDS Chapel in Tohatchi, New Mexico. Burial will follow at the Ranger family cemetery in Coyote Canyon, New Mexico.

Theodore was born Nov. 5, 1961, in Gallup, into the Tód’ch’’i’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). His nali is Lók’aa’ dine’é (Reed People); chei is Tl’’z’ lán’ (Many Goats). He died Aug. 22, 2017, in Los Angeles, California.

Theodore attended the LDS Placement Program and grew up in St. George, Utah, working in construction most of his life. He was a devoted husband, father and loved his immediate and extended family.
Theodore is survived by his wife, Lucinda Leonard; daughters, Cherish Ranger and Christy Ranger; and son, Russell Ranger.

Theodore is preceded in death by his parents, Bernice and Tom M. Ranger Sr.; and siblings, Steven Ranger, Timothy Ranger and Travis Ranger.

Pallbearers will be Russell Ranger, T.J. Ranger, Richard Ranger, Ammon Ranger, David Sanchez and Trenton Ranger.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Martina Curley

GALLUP — Funeral services for Martina Curley, 86, were held Sept. 5 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Gallup. Interment followed in Coyote Canyon, New Mexico.

Martina was born Sept. 18, 1930, in Coyote Canyon, into the Kinlichii’nii (Red House People Clan), born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). Her nali is çshiih’ (Salt People); chei is Bit’ahnii (Under His Cover). She died Aug. 31, 2017, in Coyote Canyon.

Martina was a rug weaver, homemaker, herbalist, Navajo philosophy teacher and medicine woman. She believed in self-supporting and was a participant in the Lakota Sundance ways.

In her younger years, Martina was a silversmith, livestock owner and participated in numerous Navajo ceremonies. She loved gourd dancing and had a high respect for the South Plains style of Native American Church.

Martina is survived by her children, Betty Hawthorne, Delores Jansen, Sarah Curley, Keith Curley, Linda Curley, Bobby Curley, Louise Curley, Wendy Baird, Elle Jackson and Carrie Begay; and 46 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Martina is preceded in death by her parents, Naglesnasbah Howard and Jake Howard “Kinyaa’áanii Nez”; daughter, Bernice Curley; son, David Curley; and brother, Peter Jake Howard.

Pallbearers were Kelly Hawthorne, Nicholas Jackson, Merrick Tate, Jason Jansen, Ryan Moore and Bryan Jansen.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Agnes Mildred Samuel

GALLUP — Funeral services for Agnes Mildred Samuel, 82, were held Sept. 1 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Interment followed at the Sunset Memorial in Gallup.

Agnes was born Sept. 9, 1935, into the Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). Her nali is Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House); chei is Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). She died Aug. 28, 2017, in Flagstaff.

Agnes worked as a nurse for over 10 years, helping the community and patients.

Agnes is survived by Judy Begay of Flagstaff, Tina Oliver of Kayenta, Dr. Connie Williams of Flagstaff, Kathy Schenally of Flagstaff, and Earl Samuel of Vanderwagen, New Mexico; brothers, Frank Francisco Jr. and Larry Francisco; and sisters, Annie Taylor, Maxine Merrill and Shirley Begay.

Pallbearers were Joey Begay, Murphy Oliver, Gabriel Samuel, Jeremy Williams, Jerread Williams, Brandon Williams, Earl Samuel, Leroy Samuel and Veter Samuel Jr.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Martha Jesus

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Martha Jesus, 83, of Sawmill, Arizona, were held Sept. 1 at the LDS Chapel in St. Michaels, Arizona. Interment followed at the Kinlichee cemetery in Kinlichee, Arizona.

Martha was born April 17, 1934, in Kinlichee, into the çshiih’ (Salt People Clan), born for Biih bitoodnii (Deer Spring Clan). She died Aug. 29, 2017, in Fort Defiance.

Martha enjoyed sewing, beading and traveling with her children.

Martha is survived by her husband, Wayne Jesus; sons, Henry Jesus, Nelson Jesus, John Jesus and Leonard Jesus; daughters, Louise Wood, Opal Shirley, Maggie Jesus and Wena Jesus; brother, Paul Dokey; sister, Francis Wauneka; and 33 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.

Martha is preceded in death by her parents, Mary and William Dokey; siblings, Margaret Nez, Mary Dedman, Jenny and Ilene Wilson; and children, Elsie Jesus and Andy Jesus.

Pallbearers were Nelson Jesus, John Jesus, Leonard Jesus, Alexander Jesus, Christopher Mylroie and Joel Morales.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Dr. Larry Waldo Emerson

TSE DAA KAAN, N.M. — Dr. Larry Waldo Emerson, 70, passed away Aug. 19 at his home in Tse Daa Kaan, New Mexico. He was born July 19, 1947, in Rehoboth, New Mexico, into the Tsenabahilnii (Sleep Rock People Clan), born for Tó’aheedl’inii (Water Flow Together Clan).

Dr. Emerson was a scholar and social activist concerned with language revitalization, environmental issues, decolonization, and healing with Diné traditions.

Dr. Emerson completed his undergraduate work at Fort Lewis College and the University of New Mexico and earned a Ph.D. from San Diego State University. As a veteran he had been based at Seoul, South Korea.

Dr. Emerson lectured widely at institutions of higher learning in California, Oklahoma, Illinois, and New Mexico and held seminars at his farm in Tse Daa Kaan.

At the time of his death, Emerson was collaborating with Diné College faculty member Herbert Benally on topics related to Navajo philosophy and healing. He also collaborated with many other scholars, youth groups and community action groups for wellness.

Larry is survived by his son, Marc Aaron Emerson; sisters, Gloria J. Emerson and Elayne G. Lowe and husband, Art Lowe; nieces and nephews, Laurie Ann Shirakawa, Sonny Weahkee, Bryan Banyacya and Sean Lowe; and many beloved aunts, cousins, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents, Waldo and Grace Martin Emerson; and sisters, Patsy W. Emerson and Carol Ann Weahkee.

Louise Francisco

GALLUP — Funeral services for Louise Francisco, 71, were held Sept. 6 at the Rollie Mortuary Chapel in Gallup. Interment followed at the family plot.

Louise was born Sept. 4, 1945, in Perea, New Mexico, into the Haltsoo’ (Meadow People Clan), born for Naasht’ézh’ dine’é (Zuni Clan). Her nali is Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House); chei is Tód’ch’’i’nii (Bitter Water). She died Sept. 3, 2017, in Gallup.

As a young girl, Louise loved to ride horses. She was a homemaker throughout her life and was a special person with the heart of a child. She loved crafts, playing bingo, coloring, cartoons and Saturday flea markets.

Louise is survived by her sisters, Alice Arviso, Christine Ashley, Janyce Francisco, Eunice Skeet and Generita Francisco; brothers, George Francisco and Leonard Francisco Sr.; and many nieces, nephews and grandchildren who she all helped raise and loved dearly.

Louise is preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Frank Francisco; brother, Raymond Francisco; nieces, Pam Francisco and Holly Cher King; and nephew, Joe Paul Tenequer.

Pallbearers were Lance Laughlin, Don Raymond Tenequer Jr., Leslie T. Begay III, Kyle Francisco, Wacey Begay and Tex Begay.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.


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