Denise Renee Fredericks Denise Renee Fredericks, 62, passed away in Phoenix on Nov. 9, 2021. She was born in Winslow on Oct. 26, 1959, to Lloyd and Sylvia Fredericks. She was born for the Deer Spring Clan and for the Rabbit/Tobacco Hopi Clan. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m., on Friday, Nov. 19, at Desert View Cemetery. Denise will be laid to rest at the Desert View Cemetery in Winslow, alongside her mother, Sylvia and brother, Lance. Denise grew up in Leupp and attended Leupp Boarding School. She graduated from Coconino High School in 1977 and later attended Northern Arizona University to pursue her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Teaching. She became a lifelong educator in the Leupp community after becoming a certified teacher. She was a student teacher for primary education at Leupp Public School then eventually became a full-time educator in teaching second and fifth grade classrooms. She then transferred to Leupp Schools, Inc., and continued her instruction in all subject areas for sixth through eighth grades. She retired from teaching after 25 years having been with both the Bureau of Education and with the Flagstaff Unified School District. She was a very dedicated and innovative teacher, making all her classes so highly intriguing that students clambered to be in her classroom. She was always remembered for all her school projects, which made learning fun and exciting. She was also well known throughout the education community for the guidance and direction she gave, so that many of her students became successful professionals in various careers. She always made time for her students/parents who showed an interest in furthering their education beyond high school. She was very visually creative and known for decorating her classrooms and home, celebrating each season of the year, and hosting birthday parties for all – each decoration was unique and never the same. Her favorite celebration was Veterans Day – she was so proud to honor her father, Lloyd and brother, Lance, both United States Marine Corps veterans, and her son, Chris and grandson, Darshaun who were also celebrated as proud veterans of the United States Army and National Guard. Denise made a great impact on so many lives, near and far. She had the greatest humor and a contagious laughter that would fill the room. She deeply loved and cared for everyone she came across and always made sure they were put first before her. She made life fun for all of us. She will be dearly missed by her family members, many friends and colleagues and of course all her students. She is survived by her father, Lloyd Fredericks (Rosh) of Window Rock; sons, Christopher Sheka and Mikos Dixson of Winslow; niece, Erin Billy (Jessie) of Flagstaff; granddaughter, Michelle Billy; grandson, Darshaun Sheka of Tennessee; nephews, Dustin and Devin Fredericks of Tucson; stepsisters, Barbara Foley of Phoenix and Camille Denetclaw (Darwin) of Tuba City; and stepbrother, Jason Foley (Debbie) of Delaware, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her mother, Sylvia J. Fredericks; sister, Michelle J. Reams; brother, Lance P. Fredericks; nephew, Alexander Reams; most recently her uncle and aunt, Roy and Wilma Fredericks; and cousin, Todd Fredericks. Greer’s Mortuary of Winslow handled the arrangements.
