Deaths

• Varis Gillespic-Lewis
• Jean Smith
• Elizabeth Beyuka
• Gail Yazzie
• Rhonda Jean

Varis Gillespic-Lewis

RAMAH — Funeral services for Varis Lurene Gillespic-Lewis, 89, will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 11, at the Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Church, Ramah. Bishop Jerry Tietjen will officiate. Burial will be in Ramah Cemetery, Ramah.

Lewis died March 7, 2008, in Gallup. She was born May 31, 1918, in Kline, Colo.

Lewis was active in her church and loved being surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
Survivors included her sons, Larry Lewis, Elvin Lewis, both of Ramah; daughters, Beth Merrill of Gallup, Penny Roper of Orem, UT., Elaine Simons of Ramah, Ellen Rosquist of Levan, Utah; sisters, Ione Aul of Ariz., Flora Lambson Merrill of Ramah; 34 grandchildren; 59 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren.

Lewis was preceded in death by her husband,Thomas Halvre “Ike” Lewis; daughter, Letha Barker; parents, George Lincoln, Claricia Hamblin Lewis; brothers, George Lincoln Jr., Robert Emer; sisters, Mary Delilah, Velma and Melba.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Jean Smith

SMITH LAKE — Funeral services for Jean Charlie Smith, 69, will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 11, at Cope Memorial Chapel, Gallup. Pastor Ray Barker will officiate. Burial will be in Thoreau Cemetery, Thoreau.

Smith died March 6, 2008, in Albuquerque. She was born Aug. 30, 1938, in Smith Lake, into the Start of the Red Streak People Clan for the Hairy Ones People Clan.

Smith attended Intermountain School in Brigham City, Utah for 4 years. She was a homemaker, liked to sew, garden, silversmith, and listen to Native music.

Survivors include her husband, William T. Smith of Smith Lake; sons, Henry Smith, Emory Smith, both of Smith Lake, Emery Smith of Gallup; sister, JoAnn Delgarito; five grandchildren.

Smith was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Cowboy; father, Woody Charlie; grandparents, Old Man Cowboy, Desba Cowboy.

Pallbearers will be family members.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Smith Lake Chapter House, following services.

Cope Memorial is in charge of arrangements

Elizabeth Beyuka

GALLUP — Funeral services for Elizabeth Ruth Beyuka “Grandma B”, 82, will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 11, at the Rollie Mortuary, Gallup. Pastor Eddy Gooden and Pastor Jimmy Wood will officiate. Burial will be in Gallup City Cemetery. Visitation will be at Rollie Mortuary, 3-4:30 p.m., today, March 10.

Beyuka died March 7, 2008, in Gallup. She was born Oct. 26, 1925, in Fort Defiance, into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Red Running Into the Water People Clan.

Beyuka loved to quilt while listening to Navajo hour on KGAK. She also enjoyed going to softball games, basketball games and rodeos. Beyuka always had to have her front row seat during the Navajo Nation Fair and Ceremonial parades. She loved to watch professional basketball, football, baseball, and wrestling. Her favorite teams were Dallas Cowboys, Phoenix Suns, and U of A.

Survivors include her son, Mickey Beyuka Jr.; daughters, Cheryl Wauneka, Linda Beyluka; sisters, Florence Howell, Katherine Halona; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren.

Beyuka was preceded in death by her husband, Mickey Beyuka Sr.; daughter, Barbara Jean Beyuka; mother, Molly Dawes, father, Ted Dawes; brothers, Theodore Dawes, Arthur Dawes; sister, Eleanor Tulley.

Pallbearers will be Calvert Beyuka, Gerald Hoskie, Tyler Hoskie, Wallace Joe Jr., OC Miles, Stephen Bitsuie, Terry Doka, and Leland Ross.

The family will receive relatives and friends at First Indian Baptist Church, following services.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Gail Yazzie

CORNFIELDS — Funeral services for Gail Ruth Yazzie, 84, will be 10 a.m. today, March 10, at the Family Church Assembly of God. Pastor Stanford Samuel will officiate. Burial will be in family plot, Blue Canyon, Ariz.

Yazzie died March 5, 2008, in Fort Defiance. She was born June 23, 1923, in Cornfields.

Yazzie attended Ganado High School up to the 11th grade. She worked with food services and day care in San Diego, Calif. She was a weaver, and enjoyed doing word puzzles and sewing.

Survivors include her husband, James Yazzie Sr.; son, Wilbur Lilly of Summit; daughters, Maybelle Kinlicheene of Cornfields, Jane Chavez of Blue Canyon; brothers, Chance James, Benjamin James; 32 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren.

Yazzie was preceded in death by her sons, James Yazzie Jr., Johnson Yazzie, Jonah Larry Yazzie; daughter, Judy Ann Watts.

Darrell Yazzie, Wallace James, Terry Smith Jr., Sergio Soto, Jeremy Lucero, and Clayton James.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Rhonda Jean

MANY FARMS — Funeral services for Rhonda Cornelia Jean, 39, will be 10 a.m. today, March 10, at the St. Anthony’s Church, Many Farms. Burial will be in Beyatoh, Ariz.

Jean died March 7, 2008, in Phoenix. She was born Oct. 29, 1968, in Los Angeles, into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Many Goats People Clan.

Jean graduated from Chinle High School in 1988. Her hobbies included reading and playing on the computer. She was a substitute teacher for Chinle School District.

Survivors include her father, Wilson Jean; brother, Tyron Jean.

Jean was preceded in death by her grandparents, Stacey K. Etsitty Sr., Elizabeth J. Etsitty; mother, Esther R. Jean; brother, Marcus Smith.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Linda Etsitty’s residence, Many Farms. The family met March 8-9 at 6 p.m.

Tse Bonito is in charge of arrangements.