Deaths

• Bilagody, Verlena
• Joe, Charley
• Jones, Shirelle
• Smith, Marjorie
• Yazzie, Willie

Verlena Bilagody

TUBA CITY — Funeral services for Verlena M. Bilagody, 60, were 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 5, at Tuba City Church of Christ.

Bilagody died Dec. 1, 2009. She was born Nov. 20, 1949, in Tuba City, into the Red Running Into the Water People Clan for the Bitter Water People Clan.

Survivors include her children, Vercynthia McCabe, Sharlene Phillips, Charnelle Bilagody, Christopher Bilagody, Kevin Bilagody; mother, Elizabeth Chief Bilagody; brothers, Jesse Frank, Wilford Bilagody; sisters, Arlene Bilagody, Gloria Tsosie, Margaret Bitsui, Rity Bilagody, Verna Chee; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild.

Bilagody was preceded in death by her companion, Benjamin Yazzie; son, Jason Lee; father, Harry Bilagody Sr.; brother, Harry Bilagody Jr.

A reception was held at Tuba City Chapter House, following services.

Charley Joe

ST. MICHAELS — Funeral Mass for Charley D. Joe, 86, will be 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 10, at Mary Mother of Mankind Catholic Church. The Rev. Bob Sprott will officiate. Burial will be in St. Michaels Community Cemetery. A rosary will be recited at 6 p.m., tonight, Dec. 9, at St. Michaels Catholic Church.

Joe died Dec. 6, 2009, in Albuquerque. He was born June 10, 1923,in St. Michaels/Summit, into the the Salt People Clan for the Edge Water People Clan.

Survivors include his son, Ray Joe; daughters, Sarah Joe, Louise Gould, Marilyn Joe, Lorraine Tsosie, Darlene Benally; 27 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Sadie Joe; sons, Norman Joe, Donald Joe, Michael Joe, Ernest Joe; one grandchild.

Pallbearers will be Leander Tsosie, Damen Joe, Chad Singer, Ty Smith, Omar Benally, Jeff Gould.

The family will receive relatives and friends at St. Michael Parish Hall, following services.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Shirelle Jones

BUFFALO SPRINGS — Services are pending for Shirelle L. Jones, 27.

Jones died Dec. 7, 2009, in Albuquerque. She was born May 2, 1982, in Farmington.

Marjorie Smith

TSEYATOH — Funeral services for Marjorie Lee Smith, 53, will be 1 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 10, at Cope Memorial Chapel. The Rev. Ted Farris will officiate. Burial will be in Gallup City Cemetery, Gallup.

Smith died Dec. 4, 2009, in Gallup. She was born March 21, 1956, in Gallup, into the Black Streak Forest People Clan for the Towering House People Clan.

Smith was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was a very helpful person. She enjoyed playing with her grandkids, making people laugh and loved to cook. She will be missed.

Survivors include her husband, Danny Smith of Tseyatoh; sons, Leroy Smith of Tseyatoh; daughters, Charlene Smith-Cleveland of Tseyatoh, Cornelia Smith of Gallup; mother, Faye Tom Lee of Tseyatoh; brothers, George Lee of Tseyatoh, Bobby Lee of Tseyatoh, Raymond Lee of Spencer Valley, Martinez Lee of Casamero Lake; sisters, Pauline Lee of Tseyatoh, Brenda Yazzie of Yatahey; two grandchildren.

Smith was preceded in death by Paul Lee, Sammy Lee, Carrine Lee, Julian lee, Sladie Jim Lee, Caroline Lee.

Pallbearers will James Duboise Jr., Leroy Smith, Martinez Lee, Adrian Cleveland, Lester Dennison, Ferlando Cadman.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Tseyatoh Multi Purpose Building, following service.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Willie Yazzie

GALLUP — Funeral services for Willie B. Yazzie, 72, were 11 a.m., today, Dec. 9, at Cope Memorial Chapel. Burial was in Gallup City Cemetery. Visitation was at Cope Memorial Chapel.

Yazzie died Dec. 4, 2009, in Gallup. He was born Feb. 2, 1937, in Fort Defiance.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Catron of Sawmill; sons, Wilbur, of Oklahoma City, Milton of Phoenix, Paul of Albuquerque, Alroy of Fort Defiance; daughters, Marlene of Oklahoma City, Arlene of Gallup, Cherly of Navajo, Fiona of Fort Defiance; 24 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren.

Yazzie was preceded in death by Esther Yazzie, Allen Yazzie, Marjorie Yazzie, Therman Yazzie.

The family received relatives and friends at Tseyatoh Chapter House, following services.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.