Obituaries
In response to requests from our readers, the Navajo Times will post obituaries as they are published in the print edition of the Navajo Times.
The Navajo Times does not receive all obituaries from border towns and reservation communities. Some mortuaries send them regularly, others ignore the Navajo Times in favor of local daily newspapers.
Many obituary notices are brought in by families or friends. If you would like an obituary for a loved one or friend published in the Navajo Times and posted on the web page, send to obits@navajotimes.com.
June 13, 2013
Herbert Francisco
FORT DEFIANCE – Funeral services for Herbert Francisco, 57, of Fort Defiance, will be held today, June 13, at 10 a.m. at the Family Assembly of God Church in Fort Defiance, with James Bennett officiating. Burial will follow at the Tohatchi community cemetery in Tohatchi, N.M.
Herbert was born April 1, 1956, at the Rehoboth Mission in Rehoboth, N.M. He died June 8, 2013, in Albuquerque.
Herbert attended school up to the 11th grade, and was employed as a heavy equipment operator. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, hunting, and was a Dallas Cowboys and PBR fan.
Herbert is survived by his daughters, Kerry Lueras and Camille Damon; mother, Josephine Francisco; brothers, Ernest Howard and Emerson Roanhorse; sister, Priscilla Cadman; and grandparents, Tom and Elizabeth Howard.
Herbert is preceded in death by his father, Jackie Francisco; brother, Paul Francisco; and sister, Mildred Francisco.
Pallbearers will be Ryan Smith, Herman Dahozy Jr., Jeffery Francisco, Shannon Othermedicine, Truman Sam, Wilfred Becenti, Alexander Gredd, Michael Lueras, and Layne Howard.
A reception will be held at the Family Life Center (next to 7-Eleven) in Fort Defiance following services.
Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Julia Mae Mathis
CHINLE – Funeral services for Julia Mae Mathis, 63, of Chinle, will be held today, June 13, at 1 p.m. at the Chinle Catholic Church with Father A. Litigo officiating. Burial will follow in Chinle.
Julia was born Dec. 7, 1949, in Chinle, into the Mountain People Clan, for Coyote Pass Clan. She died June 8, 2013, in Prescott, Ariz.
Julia was employed with Chinle Unified School retiring after 35 years. She enjoyed listening to music especially oldies and country.
Julia is survived by her husband, Howard W. Mathis; sons, Kenneth W. Mathis and Mark W. Mathis; daughter, Angel Mathis; brothers, Larry K. Yazzie, Vinny A. Yazzie, Andrew Yazzie, and Edwin Yazzie Sr.; sisters, Shirley Smith, Aurelia James and Elaine M. Wilson; and 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Julia is preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Carmelita Yazzie.
Pallbearers will be Kenneth W. Mathis, Mark W. Mathis, Matthew Smith, Timothy Mathis, Brenan K. Nez, and Angel Arellano.
Honorary pallbearer will be Howard W. Mathis.
A reception will be held at the Chinle High School cafeteria following services.
Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Harl Sampson Sr.
FARMINGTON - Funeral services for Harl Sampson Sr., 81, of Farmington, will be held Saturday, June 15, at 2 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses (5661 College Blvd.) in Farmington, with Paul Parham, one of Jehovah's Witnesses, officiating. Visitation will take place Friday, June 14, at the Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m.
Harl was born Nov. 4, 1931, in Ozan, Ark., to Lee Davis Sampson Sr. and Rheola Sampson. He died June 5, 2013, in Farmington.
Harl attended high school in Washington, Ark., and was certified and worked as a Chrome-Moly welder for 45 years. He was employed with APS 4-Corners Power Plant for 25 years before retiring in 1994. He loved camping and fishing.
Harl moved to Farmington in 1975 where he served as an elder in the Farmington congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. After retiring in 1994, he began participating in the full-time ministry mainly on the Navajo Reservation covering territory from Shiprock, Sheepsprings, Lukachukai to Dennehotso.
Because of his tireless ministry and Bible based teaching over the years, Harl became known everywhere as "The Black Moses" among the Navajo. Harl is survived by his wife, Nathel E. Sampson; sons, Harl Sampson Jr. and Everett L. Sampson Sr.; daughters, Geniece Kenney and Hilesha Ann Jenkins; brothers, Marzell Sampson, Elray Sampson, Valgene Sampson, William Sampson, and Randy Sampson; and 11 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Harl is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lee Davis Sampson Jr.; and sisters, Maple L. Williams and Oliva Sampson.
Harl's care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home in Farmington.
Those who wish to express their condolences may do so at www.serenityandcompany.com.
Marie Nelson Nalwood
WINSLOW, Ariz. - Graveside services for Marie Nelson Nalwood, 83, of Teesto, Ariz., were held June 11 at the Desert View Cemetery in Winslow, Ariz. Marie was born Oct. 15, 1929, in Fingerpoint, Ariz., into the Naakai dine'é (Mexican) Clan, for Nát'oh dine'é Táchii'nii (Tobacco People/Red Running Into the Water People) Clan. She died June 8, 2013, in Flagstaff.
Marie wove rugs to support her family, and she loved to do arts and crafts. Marie is survived by her son, Amos Nelson; stepson, Danny Nalwood; daughters, Emerline James and Lucinda "Cindy" Shepard; sisters, Eleanor Miles, Ida Mae Clinton, Emma Lou Loucks, Bernita Attakai, and Pauline Nelson; brothers, Gene Nelson, Ned Nelson and Jimmy Wilson; and 11 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Marie is preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Nalwood; son, Peter Nelson; parents, Emma and Joe Nelson; brother, Harry Nelson; granddaughter, Natasha Begay; and step-grandson, Jay Nalwood.
Arrangements were under the care of Greer's Mortuary of Winslow.
Benson Lee Sr.
GALLUP – Funeral services for Benson Lee Sr., 64, were held June 7 at Rollie Mortuary. Interment followed at the Sunset Memorial Park.
Benson was born April 22, 1949, in Twin Lakes, N.M., into the Táchii'nii Clan, for Tódich'ii'nii Clan. He died June 2, 2013, in Deer Springs, N.M.
Benson attended Twin Lakes Head Start and Albuquerque Indian School. His hobbies were herding sheep, hauling wood, watching western movies, singing, playing guitar and harmonica, cleaning, and being with his grandchildren.
Benson is survived by his wife, Clara Lee; daughters, Charlene, Shanna, Cheryl, and Crystal Lee; and sons, Benjamin Brown, Benson Lee Jr., Aaron Lee, Brian Lee, Venson Lee, Dennison Lee, and Brandon Lee.
Benson is preceded in death by his parents, Emma and Timothy Lee Sr.; grandmother, Alice Smith; uncles, Willy and Tom Watchman; and aunt, Helen Spencer.
Pallbearers were Benjamin Brown, Benson Lee Jr., Aaron Lee, Brian Lee, Dennison Lee, and Wenson Lee.
Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.