Deaths

• Baca, Lola
• Nelson, Tommy Sr.
• Thomas, Pauline
• Upshaw, Irvin

Lola Baca

GRANTS — Rosary and funeral Mass for Lola C. Baca, 80, will be 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 5, at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church. Burial will be in Grants Memorial Park. The Very Rev. Alberto Avella will be the celebrant.

Baca died Dec. 29, 2009, in Grants. She was born March 15, 1929, in El Morro.

Baca will always be remembered for her warm heart and great cooking. She will be missed.

Survivors include her son, Juan D. Baca of Ridgecrest, Calif.; daughters, Barbara Ceggar of Grants, Judy Baca of Las Vegas, Nev.; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one great great-grandson.

Baca was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Baca Jr.; parents, Juan Chavez, Francesquita Chavez; sons, Richard Baca, Leory Baca; six brothers; five sisters.

Go to www.compassionmortuary.com to send condolences.

Compassion Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Tommy Nelson Sr.

BLACKHAT — Services are pending for Tommy Nelson Sr., 88.

Nelson died Dec 29, 2009. He was born Nov. 7, 1921, in Blackhat, into the Zia People Clan for the Towering House People Clan.

Nelson worked in the railroad industry for 30+ years across the country and various other jobs including logging companies, ONEO, and the Navajo Tribe. He loved to break and domesticate stallions, work the land and grow crops. Livestock was a way of life, maintaining many animals to become income resources and family sustenance. As a member of both St. Michaels and Tseyatoh Chapters, he was a well respected and recognized speaker for a number of social gatherings.

Survivors include his wife, Mae Nelson of Albuquerque; daughters, Angelina Dale of Phoenix, Linda Martinez, Lena Nelson, Angela Goodwin, Isabelle Benally, all of Blackhat; sons, Leo John, Ernest John, Tommy Nelson Jr., all of Blackhat, Steven Nelson of Phoenix; 24 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren.

Nelson was preceded in death by his mother, Alkabah John; daughters, Lucinda Nelson, Durinda Nelson; brothers, Nelson John, George Bitah; sisters, Mary Douglas, Maybelle Yazzie.

Pauline Thomas

JONES RANCH — Funeral services for Pauline Marie Thomas, 74, will be 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 4, at First United Methodist Church, Gallup. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park.

Thomas died Dec. 28, 2009, in Gallup. She was born Sept. 2, 1935, in Two Wells, into the Mexican People Clan for the Sleep Rock People Clan.

Thomas attended Fort Wingate Boarding School. She was a traditional silversmith and seamstress. She was a life resident of Jones Ranch and an active member of the Chichiltah Chapter. Thomas was a volunteer and was active in several organizations for her community.

Survivors include her husband, Willie Thomas of Jones Ranch; sons, Ricky Thomas, Virgil Thomas, both of Jones Ranch; daughters, Alberta Kieyoomia of Albuquerque, Loretta Thomas of Gallup; brother, Raymond Joe of Houck; sisters, Helen Jones of Gallup, Elizabeth Charley of Phoenix, Frances Brown of Red Rock, Elsie Jim of Crownpoint; 22 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Virgil L. Thomas, Rickey R. Thomas, Lionel Williams, Lonnie Williams, Clayton Williams, Philbert Brown Sr.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Irvin Upshaw

ST. MICHAELS — Services for Irvin Upshaw, 41, were 10 a.m., today, Jan. 2, at St. Michaels Catholic. Burial was in John Chapeau Memorial. Visitation was 9 a.m., today, Jan. 2.

Upshaw was born June 23, 1968, in Fort Defiance.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.