Obituaries for Jan. 22, 2015

Dorothy Cumming

PLEASANTON, Calif. – Dorothy Cumming, who lived on the Navajo and Hopi reservations from 1950 until 1962, passed away Jan. 11, 2015, in Pleasanton, Calif. She died in her sleep after a brief battle with pneumonia.

Dorothy was born in Waukegan, Ill., in 1926. She moved to Tucson in 1944 to attend the University of Arizona where she majored in anthropology. While at Arizona, she met her husband, Kendall Cumming, a returning World War II veteran of the 101st Airborne. He was a fellow anthropology major, and a third generation Arizonan from a ranching family in Nogales. After they graduated, Kendall took a position with the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a range manager.

Kendall’s first position took them to Chinle in 1950. They also lived at Keams Canyon on the Hopi Reservation, Window Rock, and Fort Defiance. While on the Navajo Reservation, Dorothy was involved with Save the Children, the Red Cross and Girl Scouts.

Kendall left the Navajo Reservation in 1962 to become the superintendent of the Jicarilla Apache Reservation. In 1965 they moved to Chandler, Ariz., near the Gila River Indian Reservation, where he was the superintendent until he retired.

Dorothy and Kendall moved to Prescott, Ariz., in 1980, after he retired. Both taught at Yavapai College.

In 2008, Dorothy moved from Prescott to Livermore, Calif., to be closer to family.

Dorothy wrote several books about her experiences living among the Navajo. She also enjoyed reading, painting, and collecting Indian arts and crafts.

Dorothy is survived by her sons, Earl Cumming (Sally) of Mandeville, La., and Bruce Cumming (Kristen) of Livermore; and four grandchildren.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband Kendall in 2002.

Donations can be made to the American Indian College Fund in Memory of Dorothy Cumming at http://www.collegefund.org or 800-776-3863.

Rose Mary Nakai

SANDERS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Rose Mary Nakai, 80, will be held Saturday, Jan. 24, at 10 a.m. at Sanders Bible Church. Burial will follow at the Wide Ruins community cemetery in Wide Ruins, Ariz.

Rose was born Nov. 22, 1934, in McCarroll, Ariz., into the Kinlichii’nii (Red House Clan), born for T‡chii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). Her nali is Tótsohnii (Big Water); chei is Hon‡gh‡ahnii (One-walks-around). She died Jan. 18, 2015, at the Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital in Gallup.
Rose attended school in Carson City, Nev., and worked as a housekeeper in Sacramento, Calif., and Chambers, Ariz. She enjoyed going to church and revivals with her family, and liked to read her bible and sing.

Rose is survived by her husband, Johnny Nakai; daughter, Lillian Tabaha; adopted daughter, Peggy Shorty; son, Albert Watchman; and sisters, Irene Haswood, Sadie Shorty and Lilly Paulsell.

Rose is preceded in death by her parents, Annie and Little Shorty; sisters, Rose Marie Redhouse, Pauline Shorty Begay and Alice Chee; and brothers, Francis Shorty, Paul Shorty, Herberty Shorty, Bobby Shorty, Joe Shorty, Lewis Shorty, and Raymond Shorty.

Pallbearers will be Harold Redhouse, Roy Lynch, Norman Haswood, Evan Yazzie, Earl Six, Harvey Redhouse Jr., and Philbert Nez.

A reception will take place at Sanders Bible Church following services.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Steven B. Joe

LUPTON, Ariz. — Funeral services for Steven B. Joe, 45, of Lupton, Ariz., were held Jan. 17 at the Tse Si Ani Church in Lupton, with Regan Hawthorne officiating. Interment followed in Allentown, Ariz.

Steven was born July 25, 1969, in Oceanside, Calif., into the Hon‡gh‡ahnii (One-walks-around Clan), born for Tsenabahilnii (Sleep Rock People Clan). He died Jan. 10, 2015, in Phoenix.

Steven attended Wingate Elementary School, Wingate High School, Sanders High School, and Mesa High School. He was employed with Skystore Creation and Highland Roofing. He enjoyed drawing.

Steven is survived by his sons, Tyler Blake, Tyrell Blake and Seth Blake; daughters, Sirena Garcia and Shondiin Blake; parents, Carl Joe Francis and Lucy Mae Nelson; brothers, Eugene L. Joe, Samuel C. Joe and Sampson L. Joe; and sisters, Sharon Mae Joe, Sandra Lerma and Sherry Joe; and one grandchild.

Steven is preceded in death by his grandfathers, Oscar E. Nelson and Sam Joe; grandmothers, Patricia Nelson and Ya-he-bahe T. Joe; and nephew, Brandon L. Joe.

Pallbearers were Vernon Joe, Nathaniel Joe, Angel Tallabas, Irvin Joe, Bobby Gorman, and Matthew Joe.

Honorary pallbearers were Eugene Joe, Samuel Joe, Sampson Joe, Tyler Blake, Tyrell Blake, and Seth Blake.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Virginia Evans

GANADO, Ariz. – Funeral services for Virginia Evans (Begay), 101, were held Jan. 19 at the Ganado Presbyterian Church. Internment followed at a private cemetery.

Virginia was born Jan. 23, 1913, in Sunrise Springs Ariz., into the Kinyaa’‡anii (Towering House Clan), born for Tótsohnii (Big Water Clan). Her cheiis are Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water); naliis are Tsénjikini (Honey Combed Rock People/Cliff Dwellers People). She died Jan. 15, 2015, in Mesa, Ariz.

Virginia attended Ganado School and married her high school sweetheart, Harold Evans, a Navajo Code Talker/certified mechanic, on Jan. 20, 1940.

After moving to Chinle, Virginia began working for the school district as a dormitory living specialist.

Virginia is survived by her daughters, Marie Redhouse of Many Farms, Ariz., and Amy Denipah of Mesa; and seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Virginia is preceded in death by her husband, Harold Evans; and granddaughter, Fenora Denipah McDowell.

Norvel Owens Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Flowers and condolences may be sent to Norvel Owens Mortuary, 914 E Route 66, Flagstaff AZ 86001.
Information: 928-774-2211.

Melicia Esther Chee

GANADO, Ariz. — Funeral services for Melicia Esther Chee, 41, of Cornfield, Ariz., were held Jan. 16 at the Ganado LDS Church with President Richard Clark officiating. Interment and a reception followed in Cornfield.

Melicia was born April 23, 1973, in Cornfield, into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Tótsohnii (Big Water Clan). She died Jan. 12, 2015, in Phoenix.

Melicia attended Ganado High School and ITT Tech. She was employed as a teacher’s aide and homecare provider. She enjoyed communicating with friends and relatives on Facebook.

Melicia is survived by her brothers, Anthony R. Spencer, Eugene P. Spencer, Leffie R. Spencer, Gary R. Jackson, and Garland Spencer; and sisters, Yolanda Lee and Emma Jean Begay.

Melicia is preceded in death by her parents, Kee and Melita Chee; brothers, Sterling Spencer and Joaquin Chee; and sisters, Marita Baker, Maurita James and Lucille Chee.

Pallbearers were Tyler Tso, Frelyn Chee, Angelo James, Leffie R. Spencer, Kenneth Spurlock II, and Leonard Tsosie.

Honorary pallbearers were Anthony R. Spencer, Eugene P. Spencer, Garland Spencer, Jess Lee, Tommy Gomez Begay, and Larry Yazzie Sr.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.