DECLAY, Rayma Marie

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 03/03/2006 Rayma Marie DeClay, 36, died Saturday, Feb. 25, 2006 at the Whiteriver Hospital. She was born April 24, 1969 in Whiteriver. Rayma loved playing sports and was extremely talented playing basketball and was voted the most valuable player in junior high. She was a basketball coach in recent years. In 1982 she was the Rodeo Queen for the White Mountain Apache Tribal Fair and Rodeo. She was Camp Queen at the William Creek Youth Camp where she was a "mean camp counselor." Rayma worked as a ski instructor at Sunrise Ski Resort, waitress at Sunrise Hotel and a firefighter for the Whiteriver Fire Department. She was a gifted home decorator and used many of her handicrafts to decorate. Rayma is survived by her husband, Derald D. DeClay of Whiteriver; her children, O'Brien "Chico" DeClay and Derayna DeClay both of Whiteriver; parents, Bert and Joanna Hinton of Whiteriver; brothers, David Hinton and Bert Hinton, Jr. both of Whiteriver; god-parents, Buck and Geraldine Kitcheyan of San Carlos. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 4 at the Seven Mile Miracle Church with Rev. Dr. Timothy Paul Hinton officiating. A two-night wake will begin a 1 p.m. Thursday March 2. Owens Mortuary of Show Low handled the arrangements. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences, or sign an online guest book, visit www.owensmortuary.com.