Deaths

• Becenti, Nellie
• Benally, Phillip
• Caudill, Sheryl
• Chavez, Fernandez
• Griswold, Glenda

Becenti, Nellie

STANDING ROCK — Services for Nellie C. Becenti, 93, will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 22, at the Crownpoint Christian Reform Church. The Rev. Benny Harry will officiate. Burial will be in the family plot, Standing Rock.

Becenti died July 16, 2008, in Gallup. She was born May 19, 1925, in Standing Rock, into the Folded Arms People Clan for the Mexican People Clan.

Becenti was a loving wife and mother for 74 years. She raised 11 children. Becenti was a rancher’s wife, enduring years of hard work building a solid foundation for generations to come. She cared for her livestock with pride. Becenti enjoyed family get togethers, holidays, cook-outs,, and family accomplishments. Her pride was her sheep. She earned income for her rug weaving abilities. She processed her own wool by carding, spinning and dyeing her own wool using native plants, crystal rocks, white clay. Becenti was featured and documented in a book titled “Weaving a World-Textiles and The Navajo Way of Seeing” written by Roseann S. Willinik, Paul G. Zolbrod. She was proud of her children and grandchildren and loved them.

Survivors include her sons, Dan Becenti of Standing Rock, Kenneth Becenti of Standing Rock, Jay Becenti of Crownpoint, Eugene L. Becenti of Smith Lake, Bennie P. Becenti of Farmington; daughters, Annie B. Alfred of Standing Rock, Ada Yellowhair of Standing Rock, Faye Becenti of Standing Rock, Rose Becenti of Standing Rock; sisters, Bessie C. Platero of Borrego Pass, Dorothy C. Tolth of Borrego Pass; 30 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren.

Becenti was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Becenti; sons, Ray Becenti, Sam Becenti; daughter, Cecelia Becenti; parents, Andres and Elizabeth Chavez.

Pallbearers will be Kyle Yellowhair, Joeldon Yazzie, Alvin Yazzie, Faron Becenti, Elrick Christian, Emery Christian.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Standing Rock Chapter House, following services.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Benally, Phillip

SHIPROCK — Services for Phillip D. Benally, 61, were 10 a.m., today, July 21, at the Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Fort Defiance. The Rev. Berard Doerger officiated. Burial was in Community Cemetery, Fort Defiance. A rosary was recited 9:30 a.m., today, at the Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament.

Benally died July 14, 2008, in Gallup. He was born June 8, 1947, in Fort Defiance, into the Zia People Clan for the Red Running into the Water People Clan.

Benally was a lifelong resident of Fort Defiance. He graduated from Window Rock High School with honors. He received his B.S. Degree from NAU-University of Colorado, Denver, Colo. He was a medical technologist and worked with various Indian Health services throughout the Navajo Reservation. Benally also worked with the Navajo Tribe with water rights. Benally took care of elderly extended family and provided health care, voluntarily. His hobbies included reading, gardening, yard work, and spending time with people. He loved his granddaughters, and grand-nephews. He also loved traveling and his sisters and brothers.

Survivors include his brother, Nicholas Benally of Fort Defiance; sisters, Eleanor Nabahe of Shiprock, Roselyn B. Lovato of Santo Domingo.
Benally was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Ovah Benally; father, Paul P. Benally; mother, Margaret Benally; brothers, Cecil P. Benally, Eugene Benally; grandparents, Alth Kee Desbah Muskett, The Man with White Hairs; daughter; Clah’tso Beyah (Little Ute).

Pallbearers were Lee Benally, Garrett Begay, George Begay Jr., Matthew Nabahe, Keith D. Benally, and Ronnie Reed.

The family will meet at Good Shepard Mission, Fort Defiance, following services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church.
Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Caudill, Sheryl

BEND, Ore. — Memorial services for Sheryl “Little Byrd” (Talk) Caudill, 41, were 4-8 p.m., Sunday, July 20, at the Juniper Park, Bend, Ore.
Caudill died July 17, 2008. She was born Feb. 19, 1967, in Gallup.

Caudill was a teacher’s assistant. Her hobbies included camping, riding motorcycles, pow-wows, Native American culture. She enjoyed spending time with family.

Survivors include her mother, Rosemay Talk of Gallup; daughters, Celina Miguel of Ariz., Ariz., Tamara Denetclaw of Bend, Ore., Tasheena Caudill of Queen Creek, Ariz., Michelle Tsosie of Bend, Or.; brothers, Allen Talk Jr. of Bend, Ore., Terrence Sanderson of Bend, Ore., Myron Garcia of Farmington; sisters, Dorothy Yazzie of Gallup, Teresa Talk of Gallup.

Caudill was preceded in death by her father, brother and son.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Oregon Home Health and Hospice, 2698 NE Courtney Street, Bend Ore.

Chavez, Fernandez

SAN MATEO — Funeral Mass for Fernandez M. Chavez, 88, will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 22, at the San Mateo Catholic Church. Burial will be in San Mateo Community Cemetery. Military honors will be by the VFW Lodge 3221. The Very Rev. Albeto Avella will be the celebrant. A rosary will be recited 7 p.m., tonight, July 21, at the San Mateo Catholic Church.

Chavez died July 18, 2008, in San Mateo. He was born June 14, 1920, in Cubero.

Chavez was a veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a rancher all of his life and a miner.

Survivors include his wife, Emilia Chavez of San Mateo; sons, Freddie Chavez of San Mateo, Joseph Chavez of Albuquerque, Chris Chavez of Albuquerque; daughters, Gloria Vallejos of Grants, Mary Chavez of Albuquerque, Emilia Romero of San Mateo, Bernadette Adams of Grantss, Jennie Chavez of Cubero; brothers, Fred Chavez of Albuquerque, Preciliano Chavez of Flagstaff; sisters, Mellie Rael of Grants, Daisy Ortiz of Grants; 27 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren.
Chavez was preceded in death by his parents, Isidro Chavez, Isabel Chavez.

Pallbearers will be Ernie Martinez, Ray Chavez, Robert Vallejos, Louie Chavez, Ruben Padilla, Rollie Yanez.

Go to www.compassionmortuary.com to send condolences.

Compassion Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Griswold, Glenda

TSE BONITO — A private family rosary and funeral mass for Glenda Griswold, 70, were at St. Michaels Mission in St. Michaels. Interment followed in Gallup.

She was born in Gallup.

Griswold spent the past 50 years living with her husband and family on the Navajo Reservation owning and operating the Griswold Trading Posts, at Nazlini, Pine Springs, Ft. Defiance, Navajo, and currently Tse Bonito.

Survivors include her husband, Russ Griswold, Sr.; daughter, Kathy Montoya; sons, Terry Griswold, Gary Griswold; Russ Griswold, Jr.; brothers, Otis Ewton, Murphy Ewton; 9 grandchildren; 2 great-granddaughters.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Bea Ewton.