ADLEY, Geraldine (Jerry)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 11/30/2012 Geraldine (Johnson) Adley, 82, of Seven Mile on the White Mountain Apache Reservation died Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, at the Sierra Blanca Rehabilitation Center in Lakeside. She was White Mountain Apache/Mexican from the large Velasquez family and Biszaha clan. Geraldine had a long, successful and loving family life. Always dressed in her traditional Apache dress, she held strong beliefs in both the traditional Apache spirituality and Catholic religions. Her upbringing was by her late mother, Mary Velasquez Riley and her late grandparents, Jesus and Belle Velasquez on family farms. She attended St. Johns Indian Mission in Laveen and later trained at ASU for teaching, thereafter, she worked for the Seven Mile Mary V. Riley School for many years as a teacher’s aide and office worker; many former students remember her. “Jerry” (her nickname) was a good cook, housekeeper and a great seamstress with her greatest asset being the preparation of her children for their lives ahead as she taught them their traditional Apache values, morality lessons and provided words of advice and discipline. She is greatly loved by her daughters, grandchildren, other relatives, and will sadly be missed, but her family believes she went to a better place where she has reunited with her husband, parents, and other relatives that have gone before her. She raised and nurtured a large family and left a great legacy for her descendants that will never be forgotten. She is survived by daughters: Bernadette A. SantaMaria, Maria (Randy) Classay, Karen (Eddie) Way, Sandra Velasquez, Corinne Zospah; sisters and brothers: Yvonne Newhall, Paschal Johnson, Ramon (Mildred) Riley, Rufus (Louise) Johnson, Graham Johnson, Lincoln Johnson, Matthew Johnson, Thurza Yellowhair; sisters-in-law: Mayhome (Elmer) Rolland, Neva Adley; daughter-in-law Rose N. Adley. Close family that pre-deceased her in death were: Jones Adley (spouse), Mary Velasquez Riley (mother), Kurt Johnson (father), Ricardo Adley (Son), Jones Adley, Jr. (son), Salio Adley (grandson), J.D. Brownfeather (grandson). Grandchildren: Michelle (Ben) Martinez, Dee Dee Mailboy, Shannon (Deon) James, Jere Classay, Randy Classay, Jr., Bettina Adley, Carlo (Debra) Adley, Richanda (Chris) Thompson, Toni Adley, Tawnya Barahona, Armondo, Rayleen, Ray, Tamara, Montigo, Tyrrell, Kateri Velasquez, Deeanna and Dena James, many great-grandchildren, several great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, numerous other relatives, and Biszaha clan relatives; goddaughters: Elena Baha-Antonio, Dominque Garcia. A one-night wake was held Friday, Nov. 23, at her home in Seven Mile with a rosary followed by a eulogy service. A funeral mass was held Saturday, Nov. 24, at St. Francis Catholic Church conducted by Father Eddie Fronske with burial following at Fort Apache Cemetery.