Obituaries for March 10, 2015

Jeffrey Henry

GAMERCO, N.M. – Funeral services for Jeffrey Henry, 76, will be held today, March 10, at 10 a.m. at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Gamerco, N.M., located between Gas Max gas station and China Springs turnoff.

Jeffrey was born Feb. 8, 1940, in Whiterock, N.M., into the Bit’ahnii (Folded Arms Clan), born for Dziltl’ahnii (Mountain Cove Clan). His nali is Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House); chei is Tsenabahilnii (Sleep Rock People). He died March 3, 2016, in Gallup.

Jeffrey graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in university studies. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January 1963 and was honorably discharged in January 1969. He was a member of the 15th Navajo Tribal Council and was appointed to the Resources Committee. He was staff assistant during President Zah and Vice President Plummer’s administration. He retired from BIA Mineral Indian Office in 2013.

Jeffrey is survived by his wife, Lucinda Henry; daughters, Michelle Henry and Michaela Henry; sons, Arik Henry, Markus Henry and Darrick Henry; and grandson, Jaice Henry.

Jeffrey is preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Anna Haney; brother, Wilson Henry; sister, Emma Haney; and niece, Sophie Henry.

Pallbearers will be Arik Henry, Markus Henry, Darrick Henry, Jaice Henry, Eric Beach, and Brandon Lorenzo.

Betty J. Silversmith

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. – Funeral services for Betty J. Silversmith, 84, of Oak Springs, Ariz., will be held today, March 10, at 10 a.m. at the St. Michaels Catholic Church with Father Jose Gutay officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Michaels community cemetery.

Betty was born Aug. 1, 1931, in Oak Springs, into the Tódik’ózhi (Salt Water Clan), born for Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan). She died March 6, 2016, in Albuquerque.

Betty attended Hunters Point Boarding School, St. Michaels Indian School and Albuquerque Indian School. She was employed as a housekeeper in Phoenix, Flagstaff, Gallup, and Holbrook. She enjoyed rug weaving.

Betty is survived by her sons, Melvin W. Silversmith, Dennison Silversmith and Frederick Silversmith; daughters, Loretta J. Smith and Cheryl Begay; sister, Louise Ben; and 20 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.

Betty is preceded in death by her mother, Desbah Benally; brothers, Hoskie Naswood, Mike Benally and Louis Benally; and sisters, Annie Ashley and Irene Chischilly.
Pallbearers will be Darren Silversmith, Ryan Begay, Marlon Begay, Marvin Begay Jr., Everett Begay Jr., and Merwyn W. Silversmith.

A reception will take place at Oak Springs Chapter House following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Timothy Lee Clark

GALLUP – Funeral services for Timothy Lee Clark, 56, will be held today, March 10, at 10 a.m. at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Gallup.

Timothy was born June 15, 1959, into the Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan). He died March 4, 2016.

Timothy attended Twin Lakes Elementary School and Tohatchi Middle/High School. He was employed at the Navajo Food Store and at other various places. He enjoyed fishing, spending time with his wife and grandchildren, attending church, and reading his bible. He collected Kansas City Chief memorabilia and was a dedicated fan.
Timothy is survived by his wife, Sarah Clark; daughter, Kimiri Clark; son, Timmie Clark Jr.; brothers, Henry Clark Jr., David Lee Clark and Victor Lee Clark; and sisters, Patricia Antone and Christine Clark.

Timothy is preceded in death by his parents, Henry Clark Sr. and Mary Clark; sons, Leonard Frank and Dennison Frank; and grandparents, Charlie and Martha Ross.
Pallbearers will be Esidro Olguin, Ronnie Ross, Jason Antone, Harley Ross, Eric Bitsie, and Pernell Jack Manuelito.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Leonard B. Kenneth

GALLUP – Funeral services for Leonard B. Kenneth, 77, were held March 8 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Interment followed at the Naschitti community cemetery in Naschitti, N.M.

Leonard was born Feb. 26, 1939, in Rehoboth, N.M., into the Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan), born for Kinlichii’nii (Red House Clan). He died March 4, 2016, in Gallup.

Leonard attended Intermountain School in Utah, and graduated from Wingate High School. He graduated from Fort Lewis College and served in the U.S. Army in Korea. He was employed with the Bureau of Indian Affairs for 40 years retiring in June 1994.

Leonard is survived by his wife, Darlene Elsie Kenneth of Twin Lakes, N.M.; daughters, Victoria Kenneth of Twin Lakes, Verla Kenneth of Twin Lakes, and Vera Brown Thunder of Maricopa, Ariz.; son, Daniel Boyd of Leupp, Ariz.; and 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Leonard is preceded in death by his mother, Ariel B. Kenneth; and granddaughter, Skye Whitecalf.

Pallbearers were John Brown Thunder, Elias Brown Thunder, Trenton Whitecalf, Leeyo Boyd, Neilson Howard, and Aaron Baloo.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Edward Skeets

VANDERWAGEN, N.M. – Funeral services for Edward Skeets, 69, were held March 7 at Broken Arrow Bible Ranch in Vanderwagen, N.M. Interment followed at the Pine Tree Mission.

Edward was born June 16, 1946, in Fort Defiance. He died Feb. 27, 2016, in Albuquerque.

Edward served in the Army from 1967-1969. He enjoyed football season, cookouts, working on vehicles, and watching the Cubs, Chicago Bulls and Chicago Bears.

Edward is survived by his wife, Lorraine Skeets; sons, Derrick Skeets, Corey Skeets and Nolan Skeets; father, Emmerson Skeets; and siblings, Roy Skeets, Jim Skeets, Eddie Skeets, Andrew Skeets, Marie Skeets, Lauriene Skeets, Irene Skeets, and Martha Skeets.

Pallbearers were Andrew Skeets, Eddie Skeets, Roland Francisco, Emmanuel Yazzie, Mark Campoy, and Kyle Eduvigen.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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Junior Lee

GALLUP – Funeral services for Junior Lee, 62, were held March 4 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Interment followed at the family plot in Pinedale, N.M.

Junior was born Nov. 15, 1953, in Little Deer Springs, N.M., into the Nát’oh dine’é Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Biih bitoodnii (Deer Spring Clan). His chei is Nóóda’i dine’é (The Ute Clan); nali is Tl’izi lani (Many Goats). He died Feb. 27, 2016, in Albuquerque.

Junior attended Anadarko School in Oklahoma, where he played basketball and football. He was a silversmith and a Native American Church road man who helped a lot of people. He enjoyed bull riding, riding horses and watching his favorite football team, the Denver Broncos.

Junior is survived by his wife, Shirley Lee; daughters, Sharon Lee and Sherry Lee; and son, Jaymes Lee.

Junior is preceded in death by his son, Jameson “Sonny” Lee.

Pallbearers were Thurman Becenti, Jaymes Lee, Emmerson Becenti, Jamison Harry, Mike Harry, Nathan Wilson, Nate Wilson, and Harrison Becenti.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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