Lilly Chief, 98, our beloved mother and grandmother entered into Heaven's Glory on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 4:23 AM surrounded by about 40 family members at Abrazo West Campus in Goodyear, AZ after complications from hip surgery, pneumonia and a heart attack. Lilly Chief is a Navajo mother/grandmother from Black Mesa, AZ on the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona. Lilly was born at home around August 9, 1925, in Black Mesa, AZ, near the present-day cornfields of Calvin and Anna Etsitty, to Blackhat's Son and Vera Etsitty. Her parents lovingly called her "Dzanibáhí" which means "Fair Lady".

Lilly is Tó'áhaní (Near-the-water Clan) and born for Kinłichíinii (Redhouse Clan). Her maternal grandfather is Hash'kaan Hoozo'o (Banana Harvest Clan) and her paternal grandfather is Yéii Dine'é Táchiinii (Giant-People of the Red-running-into-the-water Clan). Her father was also known as Cha'Łizhiní Biye', Atsidí Binálī, and Kinłichíinii Tso' and was registered as "Amos Etsity" on the Indian Census Roll. Lilly's father was a Beauty Way medicine man and an herbalist. On his deathbed, he made a declaration to his daughter to seek the greater power which is the Lord Jesus Christ. Lilly's mother Vera Etsitty was also known as Dzaanééz Hólóonii Bitsói. Her mother was a homemaker, farmer, rugweaver and strung turquoise necklaces. Lilly grew up with her paternal grandparents Hastiin Cha'Łizhin (Blackhat) and Asdzáá Łichíí'i (Red Lady). Her paternal great-grandfather was a silversmith, and his name was Atsidí which means silversmith. As a result, Atsidí and Atsidí Binálí later became the last name of the descendants as Etsitty, Atcitty, Smith, Benally, or Benale. Lilly's maternal great-great grandmother (the grandmother of her grandmother), Adzáá Adízí Bi'má (Lady whose mom is Lady Woolspinner) went on the Long Walk from 1864-1866. Her maternal great-grandmother (her grandmother's mom) whose name is Asdzáá Adizí (Lady Woolspinner) was born at Fort Sumner and was carried back from Fort Sumner after the Long Walk. Lilly's Tó'áhaní clan originated from Adzáá Adízí who is originally from Ndischii DaSitáaní (Window Rock Summit). Dzaanééz Hólónii (Manymules) married Adzáá Adízí and brought her back to Black Mesa. Her paternal great grandmother never went on the Long Walk instead they safely hid in secret canyons. Lilly carried on her family's legacy of resilience throughout her life.

As a young girl, Lilly spent her days with her close-knit multi-generational extended family living a traditional Navajo livelihood that included her grandparents on both sides. As a young girl, she spent her days herding sheep for her maternal grandparents Hastiin Neesk'ahí and Asdzáá Łeijiní with her siblings and cousins, including Ned Yazzie, Lilly Crank, and Etta Mae Yazzie. Lilly recounts that she loved her másání Asdzáá Łeijiní and would often run to her. Lilly's parents did not want Lilly to go to school because they were afraid, they would lose her forever. At approximately the age of 17, around 1942, Lilly was arranged in a traditional Navajo marriage to Nephi Chief from Monument Valley. They made their home on Black Mesa near her siblings' homesteads and together, Nephi and Lilly had 6 children: Paul Chief, Billy Chief Sr., Jack Chief, Carol Tallman Grass, Kee Y. Chief, and Roberta Boswell. Lilly Chief also miscarried two children, a boy that was almost full term after Carol Tallman Grass due to a water hauling accident and another child miscarried after Roberta Boswell. Lilly also helped raise 3 of her grandchildren Caryn J. Zahnie, Carla Chief, and Londa Chief. They are her son Jack Chief's children.

Lilly spoke Navajo all her life and as an elder she knew a few English words. Her parents taught her to live in harmony; take care of the home; raise livestock to earn a living; and live a good life. She was a true Diné Adzáá, homemaker, rancher of the land and a rugweaver in the era of no running water and electricity. She often traveled by horse and wagon to provide for her family. Lilly was a loving and dedicated mother to her children. She taught them to wake early, work hard, herd sheep, have respect and be committed to family. She was very compassionate, kind, and never used vulgar language. When her father Blackhat's Son passed away on June 4, 1974, Lilly began to question her faith in Navajo tradition. In June 1975, around the age of 50, Lilly Chief accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at Black Mesa Bible Church along with her son Paul Chief, daughter Carol T. Grass, and son-in-law Lee Tallman. Irene Crank led Lilly Chief to Jesus Christ. From that day forward, she committed to living a God-centered life and became a member of the Black Mesa Bible Church for 48 years. Her favorite Bible verses were John 14:1-2 and Proverbs 3:5-6. She memorized Bible verses in Navajo. Her favorite Navajo hymn was "How Beautiful Heaven Must Be."

Our mother/grandmother was a strong believer in Jesus Christ. She never missed church and if she didn't have a ride to church, she would walk the 5 miles to get to church with her children and grandchildren. She honored God with her life and followed Christ every day. She believed following God was a beautiful and strong life, thankful to God every day and night. When she was sitting in her house, she would look at all her children and grandchildren's photos on the wall and pray for each one of them. She prayed that her children and grandchildren would walk a good life, return to God, get saved, and that they would pray to God. Lilly said she knew that her children and grandchildren really loved her. She loved all her grandchildren, and it made her extremely happy when they would visit her and spend time with her. It renewed her happiness. She was also very generous and would give the last dollar she had to her children or grandchildren for food or gas. She appreciated food, people making food and even up to her elderly age, Lilly always made sure her visitors were fed and she felt this was proper. She would cook food and make tea/coffee for her relatives that would visit her.

Lilly spent most of her life with her daughter Carol T. Grass raising sheep, cows, horses, cats, dogs, and caring for her land. She also spent a lot of time traveling to visit her children and grandchildren and attending weddings, birthdays, graduations, baby showers, and other celebrations. Since 1994, her family has gathered in large numbers for their annual Chief Family Reunion. She attended our 29th Annual Chief Family Reunion in September 2023 where the family celebrated her 98th birthday and honored her. Lilly's hobbies were sewing traditional outfits and blankets; shearing, carding and dying sheep wool; weaving; trips to the flea markets, piñon picking; storytelling; attending church and camp meetings; and volunteering to provide food for many church events and other occasions. Her favorite foods were tacos, other Mexican food, and Chinese food. Her favorite local restaurants were Amigo Cafe and Blue Pot Cafe in Kayenta. Her favorite color was purple, and she always dressed up in traditional Diné attire and never left the house without her masání scarf. In the last several years of her life, Dorothy Josh took care of Lilly every weekday, walking her to the corral, going on trips, eating out, and piñon picking. She lovingly called Dorothy, Asdzáá Josh or "my friend" in English.

Lilly was the most beautiful, strong, independent, and faithful woman we have ever known. She is who we all want to be like as we age. She has gone through so much in her lifetime but always managed to put a smile on everyone else's face first. She believed in every one of us - children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, in-laws, and anyone she came into contact with. She included each one of us in her daily prayers. She was our #1 supporter and our inspiration. She was at all the family events that she could attend. She always wanted mutton for her kids. She would parse out cuts if mutton and designate them to her children and grandchildren and either deliver herself or have someone deliver it for her.

She was the best part of an event, the moment you look up and see your #1 supporter - making your day beyond special because seeing her was not expected. We beamed with happiness and joy when we saw her in attendance!

Her love is forever and always. She was always home for anyone who visited.  She was the voice of the past, a role model of the current day. She has held the door open for us into the future for success. When she smiled, the lines on her face told the stories of generations that no book could produce. She was truly a remarkable woman! She was a lot of things: wise, warm, kind, a gentle smile, and unconditional love. She initiated hard work, integrity, love, and honesty. She overlooked our faults with forgiveness, encouraged us, and praised our successes. The heartache is there, it feels like it will never heal but the memory of her love is something that nobody can steal away. Our lives will continue but every day to continue in a manner that would honor her memory. Our dear mother and grandmother Lilly Chief will be missed more than we can express with words or actions, but we will carry you in our hearts forever! Until we meet again our dear mother and grandmother, we look forward to the greatest family reunion in Heaven's Glory! Thank you for your love, testimony, faith, teachings, commitment, and providing a home for us.

Lilly Chief had 4 siblings. Her older brother, Kee A. Benale and younger siblings Laura Etsitty, Daniel Benally and Linda Yazzie. She was 98 years old and had 6 children, 26 grandchildren, 75 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren.

Celebration of Life service for Lilly Chief will be held Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 11 AM DST (10 AM MST) at Black Mesa Bible Church in Black Mesa, AZ, officiating Pastor Paul Chief. Burial will be at the Chief Family Plot. The reception will be hosted by the Black Mesa Bible Church.

She is survived by her sons, Paul Chief and Kee Y. Chief; daughters, Carol T. Grass and Roberta Boswell and her younger brother Daniel Benally Sr. She is preceded in death by her mother, Vera Etsitty; her father, Blackhat's Son Amos Etsitty Benally; Brother, Kee A. Benale; her younger sisters, Laura Etsitty and Linda Yazzie; her husband Nephi Chief; and her sons Billy Chief Sr. and Jack Chief.

The Pallbearers are Wally Chief, Daniel Chief, Leroy Tallman, Derrick Washington, Jaden Cramer, Jeremiah Boswell, Kyle Yazzie and Billy Chief Jr. Honorary Pallbearers are Daniel Benally Sr., Paul Chief, Kee Y. Chief, Curtis Yazzie and Simon Crank Sr.

Donations to Lilly Chief Memorial can be sent to 520-247-6030 under "Karletta Chief" or to gofundme at: https://gofund.me/019cb4e8

The funeral home is Lozano's Flagstaff Mortuary in Flagstaff, AZ.