CHAVEZ, Bonita (Sister) Concepcion

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ May 17, 2007 Bonita 'Sister' Concepcion Chavez, 55, of Cibola died Saturday, April 21, at Hospice of the Valley in Chandler. She was born Dec. 5, 1951, in St. Johns, the oldest child of Wilfred and Maude Chavez. Bonita graduated from Palo Verde Community College and continued her education in early childhood development at Northland Pioneer College in the White Mountains, where she spent many years working with young children in the Head Start Program in St. Johns. She worked for a time in Phoenix for the Parks and Recreation Department as director of before-and after-school programs until finally moving back to the Blythe area where she worked in the Head Start program for a number of years. Bonita dedicated her life not only to the children in her family but to the children of the community as well. She is survived by her companion, Richardo Sepulveda; her mother, Maude Chavez; her siblings, O'Frida (Rick) Scott, Ronald (Rose) Chavez, Audry (Robert) Salazar, Wilfred (Sue) Chavez, Victoria (John) Williams; her goddaughter, Natasha Dockery; 20 nieces and nephews and 12 great-nieces and great-nephews. A memorial service was held May 12 at Frye Chapel. Her ashes were buried in St. Johns next to her father who preceded her in death. A Rosary will be recited in St. Johns at the Catholic Church at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 19.