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Obituaries for week of Sept. 25, 2014

In response to requests from our readers, the Navajo Times will post obituaries as they are published in the print edition of the Navajo Times.

The Navajo Times does not receive all obituaries from border towns and reservation communities. Some mortuaries send them regularly, others ignore the Navajo Times in favor of local daily newspapers. Many obituary notices are brought in by families or friends. If you would like an obituary for a loved one or friend published in the Navajo Times and posted on the web page, send to obits@navajotimes.com.


Margie Thomas

GALLUP — Funeral services for Margie Thomas, 91, will be held Friday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m. at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Burial will follow at the Sunset Memorial Park in Gallup.

Margie was born July 3, 1923, into the çshiihi (Salt People Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). She died Sept. 21, 2014.

Margie was employed with Gallup McKinley County School as a liaison for over 20 years.

Margie is survived by her daughters, Emma Martel, Olamae Springer and Arlinda Yazzie; sons, Dewayne Thomas, Leo Thomas and Leroy Thomas; sister, Irene Bedoni; and brother, Frankie Jackson.

Margie is preceded in death by her husband, Joe Thomas; daughter, Annette Thomas; and granddaughter, Marissa Thomas.

Pallbearers will be Richard Martel, Zaine Jackson, Daniel Thomas, Myron Yazzie, Langford Yazzie, and Erskine Jackson.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Jones Begay

FORT DEFIANCE — Funeral services for Jones Begay, 55, of Fort Defiance, will be held Saturday, Sept. 27, at 10 a.m. at the St. Michael Catholic Church in St. Michaels, Ariz. Burial will follow at the St. Michaels Chapter cemetery.

Jones was born March 10, 1959, in Fort Defiance, into the Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Tó’aheedliinii (The Water Flow Together Clan). He passed away Sept. 24, 2014, in Gallup.

Jones attended Ganado High School and Window Rock High School.

Jones is survived by his son, Joseph Begay of Fort Defiance; brother, Jonah Begay Jr. of Window Rock; and sisters, Elvira Begay, Marlene Yazzie, Josephine Carl, Marie Begay, and Evangeline Wauneka of Fort Defiance.

Jones is preceded in death by his father, Jonah Begay Sr.; mother, Mary J. Begay; and sisters, Evelyn M. Begay and Joanna Begay.

A reception will take place at the Fort Defiance Chapter House following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Landry Martinez Chavez

GALLUP — Funeral services for Landry Martinez Chavez, 32, will be held today, Sept. 25, at 10 a.m. at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Burial will follow at the Big Oaks Cemetery in Twin Lakes, N.M.Landry was born June 18, 1982, in Gallup, into the Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Ts’ah yisk’idnii (Sage Brush Hill Clan). His nali is Tábaahá (Water’s Edge); chei is Zuni Red Water People. He died Sept. 19, 2014, in Gallup.Landry attended Chuska Boarding School and Wingate High School. He loved the outdoors, staying fit, and playing basketball and softball. He enjoyed watching the latest movies, Halloween costumes, family cookouts and loved his children.

Landry is survived by his father, Larry Martinez Chavez; and mother, Zola Sandoval.

Landry is also survived by Nora Chavez, Vera Tsosie, Lorinda Thomas, Milissia Chavez, Venissa Chavez, Chantel Chavez, Jayson Sandoval, and Lionel L. Chavez.

Pallbearers will be Tyson Thomas, Tommy Sam, Jonathan Roanhorse, Cody Brown, Leon Woods, and Jimeson Woods.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Cora Joe

INDIAN WELLS, Ariz. – Graveside service for Cora Joe, 61, was held Sept. 24 at the Indian Wells community cemetery in Indian Wells, Ariz. Cora was born Aug. 29, 1953, in Indian Wells. She died Sept. 20, 2014, in Phoenix.

Cora was a lifelong resident of Arizona and worked for the Maricopa Superior Court for 23 years.

Cora is survived by her father, Jimmy Morris; mother, Dorothy H. Begay; sisters, Curlinda Gene, Margo Skeets and Sandy Evans; brother, Darryl Begay; nieces, Maria Morris, Melvina Gene, Colleen Gene, and Chasilyn Evan; nephew, Jonathan Evans; and three grandchildren.

Cora is preceded in death by H. Begay.

Greer’s Mortuary was in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be sent to www.greersmortuary.com.

Grace Ann Begay

GALLUP — Funeral services for Grace Ann Begay, 59, were held Sept. 22 at the Rollie Mortuary Chapel in Gallup. Interment followed at the family plot in Sanders, Ariz.

Grace was born in Fort Defiance, into the Honágháahnii (One-Walks-Around Clan), born for Kinlichii’nii (Red House Clan). Her nali is Tábaahá (Water’s Edge); chei is Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water). She died at the Lovelace Hospital in Albuquerque.

Grace was a homemaker and community volunteer. She attended church at New Life Assembly of God Church in Pinedale.

Grace is survived by her husband, Micheal Begay Sr.; daughters, Merinda Lee, Lilly Irving, Melissa Begay of Pinedale, N.M., and Marcia Nez of Sanders; son, Micheal Begay Jr. of Pinedale; and 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Micheal Begay Jr., Fred Footracer and Mark Nez.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Dorothy S. Francisco

MARIANO LAKE, N.M. — Funeral services for Dorothy S. Francisco, 80, were held Sept. 20. Interment followed at the family plot in Mariano Lake, N.M.

Dorothy was born Aug. 14, 1934, into the Deeshchii’nii (Start of the Red Streak People Clan), born for Tó’aheedliinii (The Water Flow Together Clan). She died Sept. 16, 2014.

Dorothy was employed by Gallup McKinley Schools and retired with 32 years of service. Her hobbies included weaving, crocheting and sand painting. She also enjoyed the trade of silversmith and loved to play bingo.

Dorothy is survived by Ben Francisco Sr., Francis Francisco, Ben Francisco Jr., Frank Francisco, Al Francisco, Maynard Francisco, Melvin Francisco, Janet McCarthy, Marie Mohammad, Charlene Francisco, Genevieve Francisco, and Sandy Gutierrez.

Dorothy is also survived by 41 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Al Francisco, Chris Payton, Bart Francisco, Benedict Francisco, Dominic Begay, and Jimson Ben Jr.

Gary J. Witherspoon

TOHATCHI, N.M. — Funeral services for Gary J. Witherspoon, 43, of Naschitti, N.M., were held Sept. 20 at the LDS Chapel in Tohatchi, N.M., with President Young officiating. Interment followed at the Nabahe family cemetery (eight miles east of Naschitti Community School).

Gary was born Oct. 6, 1970, in Ganado, Ariz., into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for German. He died Sept. 12, 2014, at his home in Whiteriver, Ariz.

Gary graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in teacher education. He earned a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Phoenix and was working on a doctorate. Gary taught and coached at Many Farms, San Carlos and Parker high schools. He served as a principal in the Parker and Payson schools. He was also a high school principal at Ignacio and an assistant principal at Ganado. He and his junior high school in Payson won several awards for the outstanding performances of his students and teachers.

Gary was an outstanding athlete and was a freshman starter on the nationally ranked wrestling team at ASU, winning four individual state wrestling championships in three states: New Mexico, Colorado and two in Washington state. He was also a very talented and creative musician, writing, performing and recording many songs.

Gary is survived by his wife, Cindy Lee Witherspoon; sons, Keenan Witherspoon, Ryland Witherspoon, Levi Witherspoon, and Garrick Witherspoon; parents, Gary Jay Witherspoon Sr. and Nellie (Nabahe) Witherspoon; brothers, Dwight Witherspoon, David Witherspoon and Johnny Witherspoon; and sister, DeAnna Iverson.

Pallbearers were Dwight Witherspoon, David Witherspoon, Johnny Witherspoon, Jonathan Witherspoon, Bradly Iverson, and Rufus Nabahe.

Honorary pallbearers were Keenan Witherspoon, Ryland Witherspoon, Levi Witherspoon, and Garrick Witherspoon.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Delvin Tsosie

The family of the late Delvin Tsosie sends out gratitude of heartfelt appreciation for all the support with words of encouragement, love and affection to all those who assisted our family with monetary donations or food for family meetings and funeral reception.

We lost a dear son, grandson, brother, uncle, friend, and a husband for whom we accepted your contributions. Your kindness relieved some sorrow and hurt, knowing you all are kind and caring people out there and have extended your love and support to our family. Time did not permit us to thank each and everyone at the reception.

May you all have bountiful blessing. Thank you seems not quite enough though we expressed it many, many times, but that is all we can say for your kindness and your help. Ahe’hee’.

Samson Tsosie Jr. and family

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