Deaths

• Curley, Valaunia
• Navajo, Cecelia
• Smith, Nicole
• Dr. Smith, Norman

Valaunia Curley

NAVAJO — Funeral services for Valaunia “Erin” Curley, 20, will be 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 27, at Rollie Mortuary. The Rev. Jerry Begay will officiate. Burial will be in Gallup City Cemetery.

Curley died Aug. 21, 2009, in Yahtahey. She was born Dec. 9, 1988, in Fort Defiance, into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Coyote Pass People Clan.

Curley last attended Roswell Job Corps to study nursing and obtain her GED. She enjoyed reading, being with friends and family and making people laugh. She also enjoyed fashion and listening to music.

Survivors include her sons, Taria “Adam” Curley, Koda Zane Nelson; daugher, Alliyah Trinee Lee; parents, Ernest Curley of Ganado, Charlene Curley of Navajo; brother, Tayshawn Curley of Ganado; sisters, Cherlynn Wauneka of Albuquerque, Chrishelle Curley of Iyanbito, Treva Curley of Ganado; grandmother, Helen Benally of Kinlichee.

Curley was preceded in death by her grandparents, Jim and Evelyn Curley; Charles B. Wauneka Sr.

Pallbearers will be Edwin Yazzie, Chris Yazzie, Ben Curley, Marty Kirk, Orlando Eddie, Donovon Martinez.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Gallup Christian Church, 505 S. Cliff Dr.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rollie Mortuary/Valaunia Curley.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Cecelia Navajo

WIDE RUINS — Funeral services for Cecelia Navajo, 97, will be 11 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 27, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Klagetoh. Burial will be in Wide Ruins Community Cemetery.

Navajo died Aug. 21, 2009, in Gallup. She was born May 1, 1912, in Wide Ruins, into the One Who Walks Around People Clan for the Red Streak House People Clan.

Navajo loved to sew by hand, make blankets and color in coloring books. She was always smiling and was very sweet and kind.

Survivors include her daughter, Mae Navajo; nine grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren.

Navajo was preceded in death by her son, John Eddie Chee; parents, Jimmy and Chin ‘bah Liar; brother, Charley James; sisters, Mary Tulley, Irene Nez; one grandchild; two great-grandchildren.

Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Nicole Smith

NAVAJO — Funeral services for Nicole Kathy Smith, 18, will be 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 27, at Rollie Mortuary. The Rev. Jerry Begay will officiate. Burial will be in Gallup City Cemetery.

Curley died Aug. 21, 2009, in Yahtahey. She was born Aug. 6, 1991, in Gallup, into the Red Running into the Water People Clan for the Bitter Water People Clan.

Smith attended Roswell Job Corps to study Law Enforcement and obtain her GED. She enjoyed driving around and listening to her CD’s. She also enjoyed taking hikes with her cousins and making people laugh.

Survivors include her mother, Berlinda Smith; brothers, Ryan Johnson, Brian Johnson; sisters, Tameka Wauneka, Pherphina Wauneka; grandparents, Helen and Ernest Benally.

Smith was preceded in death by her father, Charles Wauneka Jr.; grandparents, Charles Wauneka Sr., James K. Smith Sr., Nellie K. Smith.

Pallbearers will be Garrett Billsie, Kevin Billsie, Arthur Joe, Patrick Begay, Tyson Bowie, Tyran Begay.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Gallup Christian Church, 505 S. Cliff Dr.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rollie Mortuary/Nicole Smith.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Dr. Norman Smith

FORT LUPTON, Colo. — Memorial services for Dr. Norman David Smith, 68, will be 5 p.m., tonight, Aug. 26, at Sacred Heart Cathedral Church, Gallup. The Rev. Lawrence O’Keefe will officiate.

Dr. Smith died Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, in Albuquerque. He was born Oct. 21, 1940, in Colorado.

Dr. Smith had his Masters and Doctorate degree in English. He taught English in China, Spain, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and was currently teaching English Composition at UNM-Gallup for the past 11 years. He was a frequent presenter at Popular Culture conferences and was in the process of revising manuscript for publication.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy Smith of Fort Lupton, Colo; his daughter.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sacred Heart Cathedral Church, Gallup.