Obituaries for July 25, 2019

Dorothy Francis

Dorothy Francis

KAYENTA — Graveside service for Dorothy Francis was held July 23 at the Kayenta community cemetery. Dorothy was born Jan. 20, 1920. Since many children of that era were born at home and did not have birth certificates, the children were assigned birth dates when they went to boarding school.

Officially, she was 99 years old when she reached the end of her journey on July 19, 2019. Unofficially however, it is estimated that she was actually 104. Dorothy was born 10 miles north of Dennehotso, Arizona, in the high desert area marked to the west by an 80-mile long geologic formation extending from northeast Arizona into southeast Utah known as Comb Ridge.

Her mother was of the Kinlichíi’nii (Red House People Clan) and descended from the band of Navajos who collectively called themselves Asdzaan Woo’ Niteali’s great-grandchildren. Around the time of the Long Walk (1864), this family escaped capture by the U.S. Army under the command of Col. Kit Carson by moving to remote areas until they reached the safety of Navajo Mountain, where they stayed hidden until after the war.

Dorothy’s father was Bobby Hernandez, an accomplished horseman of the Hooghan Lání (Many Hogans Clan) who came from the Round Rock area. Dorothy never got a chance to know her parents. By the time she was an infant and able to sit up on her own, she was an orphan. Her father was killed when he was thrown while breaking a horse. Her mother and all the adults in the family were taken by a flu epidemic that swept through the entire region in the 1920s. Dorothy, her older brother Earl, and her older sister were raised by their mother’s 17-year-old younger sister. Her aunt’s name was Bah’. When Bah’ later married Keith Francis, Keith gave his wife the name Martha and his last name to all the surviving children.

The young couple was the new foundation for the Francis family of orphaned children and cousins. Dorothy’s childhood was disrupted again when she was taken from her family and shipped off to the Shiprock Boarding School. Although she was only a small child, she fiercely fought the government officials with her bare fists — grown men who loaded her and all the school-aged children into the truck and took them away crying “like a truckload of baby lambs.”

In the early 1930s, the Livestock Reduction Act was passed and Keith was arrested and jailed for inciting a riot. His wife Martha was pregnant and solely responsible for the household, the children and all the livestock. Overwhelmed with the responsibility, she brought Dorothy home from school. By this time, Dorothy had learned to read, write and was an excellent seamstress and athlete. She was also the very first Miss Northern Navajo. Dorothy was a teenager now and World War II had broken out. Many people did not have a formal education but they had family members in the war.

Once she was back at home, she would go from house to house translating the soldiers’ letters to their families from English to Navajo and wrote a reply in English from Navajo. She was paid in dimes for her service. She took these dimes and added a loop to the back so they could be also used as buttons.

A brief arranged marriage to Oliver Black (Bit’ahnii) at age 19 produced Dorothy’s only child, a daughter, Irene. She never remarried. She used her talents as an artist, seamstress, rancher, shepherd, and weaver to provide for herself and her daughter. She negotiated with suppliers using the value of her rugs to secure materials and funding for the construction of a large house where she spent the rest of her days. Dorothy passed away in her sleep at the Olivia White Hospice Home in Flagstaff, with her loved ones by her side. Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Irene Price (Gene Price); and five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Many thanks to our family, friends and relatives for sharing stories of our grandmother with us. Deepest appreciation to the staff of the Olivia White Hospice Home for their skilled, compassionate care during her stay.

Bernita Nelson

Bernita Nelson

WINSLOW, Ariz. — Funeral services for Bernita Nelson, 80, of Winslow, Arizona, were held July 20 at the Winslow Funeral Home with Alex Paddock officiating. Interment followed at the Desert View Cemetery in Winslow.

Bernita was born Feb. 24, 1939, in Horse Springs Mesa, Arizona, into the Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan), born for Nát’oh dine’e Táchii’nii (Tobacco/Red Running Into the Water People Clan). She passed away July 14, 2019, in Winslow.

Bernita attended the Sherman Institute in Riverside, California, and was employed as a lead person, machine operator and assembler in plastics fabrication for Storey Plastics in Burbank, California, for most of her life. Bernita enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, sewing with her companion cat Nova-Hoba by her side, and was always assisting family at gatherings and ceremonies. She was also a big fan of wrestling.

God’s greatest gift returned to God

Our mother, aunt, sister, cousin, and friend

Oh, Lord, we put her in thy hands

She had a kind word for each

And passed beloved by all

She lives with us in memory and will forever more

Bernita is survived by her sons, Keams Attakai, Kee Attakai Jr. and Khent Attakai; daughters, Angela Attakai and Agnes Attakai; brothers, Gene Nelson and Ned Nelson; sisters, Emma Loucks and Pauline Nelson; and 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Bernita is preceded in death by her parents, Emma and Joe Nelson; son, Elmer Nelson; and daughter-in-law, Rebecca Nelson. Winslow Funeral Home-Greers Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Ferland Johnson

Ferland Johnson

THOREAU, N.M. — Funeral services for Ferland Johnson, 33, were held July 20 at Thoreau Church of God in Thoreau, New Mexico. Interment followed at the Thoreau community cemetery.

Ferland was born Sept. 18, 1985, in Gallup, into the Hashtl’ishnii (Mud Clan), born for Hooghan Lání (Many Hogans Clan). His chei is Haltsooí (Meadow People). He passed away July 2, 2019, in Thoreau. Ferland attended Thoreau Elementary and Thoreau High School. He was a silversmith who enjoyed spending time with family, sightseeing, fishing, cooking out, drawing, movies, and concerts.

Ferland is survived by his sons, Kaleb Johnson and Ulijah Johnson; daughters, Fanithya Johnson, Zydenya Johnson and Delayza Johnson; mother, Laverne Barbone; stepfather, Johnny Barbone; brother, Quindell Barbone; and sisters, KeShawna Barbone, KayShannon Barbone and KaShayla Barbone.

Pallbearers were Jakoby Johnson, Byron Johnson, Pete Barbone, Kyle Johnson, Patrick Cooke, and Calvie Delgarito.

Leander Les Bahe

KLAGETOH, Ariz. — Funeral services for Leander Les Bahe, 34, of Klagetoh, Arizona, will be held Friday, July 26, at 10 a.m. at the Catholic Church in Klagetoh, with Brother Charles officiating. Burial will follow in Klagetoh. Leander was born March 8, 1985, in Fort Defiance, into the Apache Edgewater, born for Ma’ii Deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass-Jemez Clan).

He passed away July 21, 2019, in Klagetoh. Leander attended Ganado Unified School District and received his GED in 2009 from Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque.

He worked as a general laborer and assisted those who needed help. Leander enjoyed spending time with his siblings and children, as well as his mother.

Leander is survived by his son, Zachary Bahe; daughters, Leonna R. Bahe and Aliyanah Tsinajinnie; parents, Martha Tsinajinnie and Lester Bahe; brothers, Jon-Mykal Tsinajinnie, LeMonte Tsinajinnie, LeManuel Tsinajinnie, and Lionel Tsinajinnie; and sisters, Jalen R. Tsinajinnie and Mashika R. Tsinajinnie.

Leander is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Marie and John Tsinajinnie Sr.; and paternal grandparents, Lillie Miller and Frank Bahe.

Pallbearers will be Jon-Mykal Tsinajinnie, LeMonte Tsinajinnie, LeManuel Tsinajinnie, Lionel Tsinajinnie, Clarence Smith, and Thomas Francisco.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jon-Mykal Tsinajinnie, LeMonte Tsinajinnie, LeManuel Tsinajinnie, Lionel Tsinajinnie, Ty Francisco, Carlos Francisco, Ramone Van Winkle, Kacey Van Winkle, Cory Van Winkle, Josiah Van Winkle, Johnathan Tsinajinnie, Jeremy Tsinajinnie, and Leland McCabe.

A reception will take place at the Tsinajinnie’s residence in Klagetoh, following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Norman W. Barnes

FORT DEFIANCE — A memorial service for Norman Wayne Barnes was held July 23 at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Fort Defiance. Celebration of his accomplishments included a potluck with community folks who knew him. You may well remember him walking all the time.

Norman was born Oct. 29, 1950, at the Fresno Community Hospital in Fresno, California, to Robert Newell and Charliene Barnes. He continued his spiritual journey on July 9, 2019.

Norman retired from the Window Rock School District, having taught at Tséhootsooí Primary Learning Center, Tséhootsooí Intermediate School and lived at Black Rock Acres in Fort Defiance.

Norman is survived by his brother, Steven Barnes and spouse Virginia from Cameron, Arizona; nephew, Jason Barnes and his family from Albuquerque; sister, Karen Barnes from Fresno; son, Raymond Whitehawk Barnes with his mother Shea Goodluck-Barnes; stepdaughter, Crystalwater LaMay-Mason with her three children; and stepsons, Robert Goodluck with his three sons from Santa Fe, and Michael Goodluck with his two children from Prescott, Arizona.

Norman is preceded in death by his parents and stepson, Rex LaMay. Information: 928-729-2589.

Bernice Chee

LUKACHUKAI, Ariz. — Funeral services for Bernice Chee, 59, of Tsaile, Arizona, were held July 24 at the St. Isabel Mission Church in Lukachukai, Arizona, with Florencito Pabato officiating. Interment followed in Lukachukai.

Bernice was born Sept. 23, 1959, in Fort Defiance, into the Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan), born for Ma’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass—Jemez Clan). She passed away July 20, 2019, in Flagstaff.

Bernice attended some college and was employed at Diné College. She enjoyed weaving, walking, cooking, sewing, and gardening. Bernice is survived by her husband, Charles R. Chee; sons, Calbert R. Chee, Carlos R. Chee and Cordell R. Chee; daughters, Cassandra R. Chee-Tom and Calandra R. Chee; mother, Pauline S. Allen; brothers, Roger Allen and Albert Allen; sisters, Lorraine Allen, Ruth Nez, Nora Allen, Lena Allen, Alberta Yazzie, and Charlotte Allen; and 10 grandchildren.

Bernice is preceded in death by her father, Ben Allen; Marci Nez, Roderick Allen, Barbara John, and June Hudson. Pallbearers were Albert Allen, Carlos R. Chee, Cordell R. Chee, Walter Tom, Albert Tsosie Jr., and Rodriguez Allen.

Honorary pallbearer was Calbert R. Chee.

Summit Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Jasper H. Jones

GALLUP — Funeral services for Jasper H. Jones, 56, were held July 18 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Interment followed at the family cemetery in Standing Rock, New Mexico. Jasper was born Sept. 22, 1962, into the Haltsooí (Meadow People Clan), born for Tsenabahilnii (Sleep Rock People Clan).

He passed away July 12, 2019. Jasper graduated from Fort Wingate High and worked for Gallup-McKinley County Schools. He enjoyed rodeos, playing bingo and spending time with family.

Jasper is survived by his mother, Helen B. Jones; wife, Renette Jones; children, Kaylen Soudachanh, Caleb Jones, Rene Jones, and Kegan Jones; and grandson, Connor Jones.

Jasper is preceded in death by his father, John H. Jones Sr. Pallbearers were Caleb Jones, Kaylen Soudachanh, Rene Jones, Kegan Jones, Cody Jones, and Ashton Jones. Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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