JOHNSON, Ethel

The White Mountain Independent Show Low, Arizona 09/04/2003 Ethel Johnson, 76, died Aug. 25, 2003, in Mesa. Ethel was born at Indian Wells on the Navajo Nation, the fifth of seven children in a traditional Navajo family. When she was 15 she came to Holbrook and worked as a cook at some of the old restaurants in town. She later worked as a cook for the Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding schools in Snowflake, Holbrook, and Dilcon. Ethel was a member of the Native American Church. She had 12 children and raised 11 of them. One died in infancy. Her family remembers her as a wonderful mother who loved and cared for them. She encouraged them to get an education and to make a good life for their own families and to take good care of them. Ethel is survived by her four daughters, Louise E. Taylor of Stockton, Calif., Joann Manuelito of Newcomb, N.M., Kathy Scott of Indian Wells, Lorraine Sandoval of Gallup, N.M.; four sons, Alvin Y. Johnson of Winslow, Ernest Y. Johnson of Ganado, Larry W. Johnson of Mesa, and David Y. Johnson of Ft. Worth, Texas; one brother, Steven James, of Parker; 31 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Aug. 29, 2003, at the Southern Baptist Church in Holbrook. Burial was in the Holbrook Cemetery. Owens Mortuary of Holbrook handled the arrangements.