Obituaries for July 6, 2017

Peterson Becenti Yazzie

GALLUP – Funeral services for Peterson Becenti Yazzie, 67, will be held today, July 6, at 10 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gallup. Rosary will take place one hour prior to service at 9 a.m. Burial will follow at the family plot in Tohatchi, N.M.

Peterson was born July 10, 1949, in Tohatchi, into the Tl’ógi (Weaver-Zia Clan), born for Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan). His nali is Naasht’ézhi dine’é (Zuni); chei is Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water). He died July 2, 2017, in Tohatchi.

Peterson graduated from Highland High School in 1968 and attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. He was employed with the Navajo Nation Food Distribution from 2011 to 2016, Arizona Department of Economic Security, coordinator at Tohatchi Chapter, Navajo Nation Council delegate from 1999 to 2011, Independent Business Prepaid Legal Services, and retired from District 14 as interim Navajo Nation Council delegate from 2016 to 2017.

Peterson is survived by his wife, Isabelle Sue Yazzie; son, Blaine B. Yazzie; daughters, Patricia Chee, Michelle Yazzie, Tara F. Yazzie, and Shawna Toledo; sister, Priscilla Duncan; and brothers, Nelson B. Yazzie, Herman B. Yazzie, Johnny B. Badonie, and Tommy B. Badonie.

Peterson is preceded in death by his mother, Faye Allison Yazzie; father, Tom Becenti Yazzie; and grandson, Tylor Adam Chee.

Pallbearers will be Blaine Bryon Yazzie, Loren Tom Chee, Alden Aaron Manygoats, Marvin Dean Duncan, Derek Tom Duncan, and Timothy Dewight Moore.

Honorary pallbearers will be Johnny B. Badonie, Tommy B. Badonie, Nelson B. Yazzie, Herman B. Yazzie, Larry Duncan, and Timothy Toledo.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Ben Yazzie

LOW MOUNTAIN, Ariz. – Funeral services for Ben Yazzie, 76, were held July 1 at the Diné Wesleyan Community Church in Low Mountain, Ariz. Interment followed at the Sunnyside Family Plot in Low Mountain.

Ben, a pastor at Low Mountain Community Church, was born May 25, 1941, in Low Mountain, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Tótsohnii (Big Water Clan). His chei is Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He died June 27, 2017, in Low Mountain.

Ben is survived by his wife, Bettie Yazzie; son, Julius Yazzie, Cornelius Yazzie, and Gregory Yazzie; daughter, Leann Wagner; and sisters, Marie Saltwater, Louise Sandoval, and Irene Draper.
Pallbearers were family members.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Geraldine Sue Hubbard

CORNFIELDS, Ariz. – Graveside service for Geraldine Sue Hubbard, 49, of Sunrise, Ariz., were held June 30 at the Cornfields community cemetery in Cornfields, Ariz., with Interim Pastor Melvin Nez officiating.

Geraldine was born Aug. 22, 1967, in Ganado, Ariz., into the Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). She died June 23, 2017, in Flagstaff.

Geraldine graduated from Ganado High School in 1985 and attended Empire School of Beauty from 1986 to 1988. She enjoyed cooking and hair styling.

Geraldine is survived by her husband, Franklin Hubbard; daughters, Jovanna Smith-Davila and Dorothy F. Hubbard; father, Dickie T. Smith; brother, Vann Smith; sisters, Karen Smith and Sharon Smith; grandfather, Thomas Smith; and six grandchildren.
Geraldine is preceded in death by her mother, Violet Vann-Smith; and paternal grandmother, Ruth Smith.

Pallbearers were Vann Smith, Emery Hubbard Jr., Merlin Hubbard, William Hubbard, Layne Youvella, and Michael Nez.

Honorary pallbearers were Dickie T. Smith, Julius Smith, Wilbur Smith, Thomas Smith, Melvin Nez, Gary Nez, and Elliot Norris.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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