WILLIAMS, Christina Marie

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 05/04/2012 Christina Marie Williams, 15, of Canyon Day died tragically April 23, 2012, at her home in Canyon Day. She was born Aug. 5, 1996, to Paul Williams and Tina Henry in Seattle, Wash. Christina was raised by her grandmother, Ursula Banashley, and attended school in Whiteriver where she was a freshman at Alchesay High School. Christina had many friends and had the biggest smile. She was known to always give hugs and always wanted to help and please other people. She enjoyed playing hacky sack and skateboarding. She was often seen hanging with her friends at the “Kennel” in Whiteriver. Christina loved to play football enjoyed cheerleading and was really strong and fast. She had a gift of drawing and writing poems. She was an avid dancer, excellent in the shuffle, and was excellent at rapping. She enjoyed spicy food, loved short hair and had a really pretty voice when she sang. She was always going out of her way to help people and animals. She volunteered many hours to the Hope Center in Whiteriver and the “Feed My Sheep” program throughout the reservation. Christina enjoyed attending many different churches in Whiteriver with her grandmother and her family. Christina is survived by her mother, Tina Henry (Willibaldo Flores-Diaz, Sr.) of Snohomish, Wash.; father, Paul Williams (Lalena Holmes) of Seattle, Wash.; three sisters: Anita Williams of Snohomish, Wash., Lariah Williams, Lyneah Williams; brothers: Willibaldo Flores-Diaz Jr. of Snohomish, Wash., Tiburcio Flores-Diaz of Snohomish, Wash., Paul Williams Jr. of North Bend, Wash.; aunt, Cleo (Mondale) Duane of Whiteriver; uncle John (Katherine) Henry of Whiteriver; grandmother, Katherine Onieta of Centralia, Wash.; traditional godmother Verda Lupe of Whiteriver; Christian godparents, Arvin and Joenice Lavender of Whiteriver. She was preceded in death by her grandpa, Leo “Sonny” Banashley; uncle Laromie “Chummie” Banashley; grandmother Donna Williams. A two night wake started at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 3, at her home, 525 Tumbleweed Road in Canyon Day. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at the Chief Alchesay Activity Center in Whiteriver. Interment will follow in the Canyon Day Cemetery. Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel of Show Low handled arrangements. Those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences or sign an online guest book are invited to visit website www.owenslivingstonmortuary.com.