Obituaries for June 22, 2017

Rena Louise Teller

(March 2, 1938 – June 10, 2017)

FARMINGTON — A rosary for Rena Louise Teller, 79, a longtime resident of Newcomb, New Mexico, and most recently a resident of Apache Junction, Arizona, will be recited Friday, July 7, at 7 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Parish (414 N. Allen Ave.) in Farmington, with Father Tim Farrell reciting.

Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday, July 8, at 10 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Parish with Father Tim Farrell as celebrant.

Rena was cremated and will be taken to rest with her husband, Hugh, at Memory Gardens Cemetery (6917 East Main St.) in Farmington.

Rena was born March 2, 1938, in Rehoboth, New Mexico, the daughter of Kent and Hilda Teller, born for Naasht’ézhi Dine’é. She passed away peacefully June 10, 2017, at The Villas in Mesa, Ariz.

Rena received a master’s degree in education from the University of New Mexico and had started her doctorate. She worked over 35 years for the Bureau of Indian Affairs before retiring. She continued her love of children by working with the Family And Child Education program.

Rena was forced to retire from the work she loved in 2013 after she was diagnosed with cancer. She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

Rena is survived by her son, Christopher and Earlphia Teller; daughters, Donnell Hnat and husband Rik, Tracey Phoenix-Lyons and husband John, and Harriet Talk; stepchildren, Gilbert Atcitty, Nadine Norberto, Leonard Atcitty, and Hughetta Atcitty-Don; sisters, Rosh Fredericks and husband Lloyd, Jerri LeBeaux and husband Dugan, and Claudine Teller; five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many other dear family and friends.

Rena is preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Atcitty Begay; parents, Kent and Hilda Teller; brother, Vernon Teller; and grandparents, John and Elizabeth Belone.

Honorary pallbearers will be Christopher Teller, Kai English, Kaleb English, Kody Dan, John Lyons, and Rik Hnat.

Donations can be made in Rena’s memory to Ovarian Cancer Society OCRFA.org.

Rena’s care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee, and Larkin Funeral Home in Farmington.

Friends may send condolences to the family at www.serenityandcompany.com.

Effie Mae Curtis

GALLUP — Funeral services for Effie Mae Curtis, 87, of Crystal, New Mexico, will be held Saturday, June 24, at 10 a.m. at the Grace Bible Church in Gallup, with Pastor John Luginbuhl officiating. Burial will follow in Crystal.
Effie was born May 12, 1930, in Fort Defiance. She passed away June 14, 2017, in Gallup.

Effie attended Gallup High School and worked for Gallup Indian Medical Center as a switchboard operator when the hospital opened, NFPI in Navajo, New Mexico, and for the Navajo Tribe.

Effie is survived by her daughter, Val Peywa; sister, Leah Beyal of Crystal; and four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A reception will take place at Crystal Navajo Bible Church following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Alex Williams

CAMERON, Ariz. — Gravesite service for Alex Williams, 55, of Cameron, Arizona, will be held Monday, June 26, at 10 a.m. at the Táchii’nii family plot.

Alex was born Nov. 11, 1961, in Monument Valley, Utah, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Biih bitoodnii (Deer Spring Clan).

Alex was an artist and had a passion for music and loved to play guitars.

Alex is survived by his son, Shaine Williams; daughter, Michelle Williams; brother, Lawrence Williams; sisters, Tianna Willie, Caroline Simpson, Elma Sutherland, Velma Perez, June Marie Wauneka, Maeta Beck, Linda Williams, Audrey Payton, and Verlene Henry; and three grandchildren.

Alex is preceded in death by his father, Jerry Williams Jr.; and mother, Evelyn Crank Williams.

A reception will take place at Julia Holiday’s residence following service.

Desert View Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Ernest Nelson Blackgoat

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Ernest Nelson Blackgoat, 70, of Old Coal Mine, New Mexico, were held June 19 at the Good Shepherd Mission in Fort Defiance, Arizona. Interment followed at the Fort Defiance Veterans Cemetery.

Ernest was born Feb. 27, 1947, in Tuba City, into the Tl’ááshchi’i (Red Bottom People Clan), born for Ute. He died June 14, 2017, in Old Coal Mine.

Ernest is survived by his sons, Ronald Blackgoat, Brian Nelson, and Olynn Tilden; daughters, Latanya Nelson, Ernestine Nelson, Latoya Nelson, and Mayah Nelson; brother, Stenson Blackgoat; and 17 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Ernest is preceded in death by his parents, Rosemary and Nayah Blackgoat.

Pallbearers were Ronald Blackgoat, Brian Nelson, Randall Keedah, Ryan Blackgoat, and Olynn Tilden.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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