Elaine Rose Yellowhair, 65, of Phoenix passed away on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011, in Phoenix, surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services were held Oct. 12 at the Holbrook Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment followed in the Holbrook Cemetery.
She was born on Feb. 19, 1946, in Jeddito to Benedick and Virginia (Begay) Yesslith.
Elaine was a strong woman who was very hardworking and never depended on anybody for anything. She always put other people’s needs before hers, but none more than those of her grandchildren. She was a single mother who raised her two children and enjoyed being a mom.
She loved arts and crafts, and was quite skilled at beadwork and sewing. She enjoyed reading novels and romantic books, especially anything by Danielle Steel, who was her favorite author. Her favorite pastime was Bingo and going to the casino.
On June 5, 1989, she went to work for the Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles, where she spent 22 years before failing health forced her to slow down.
A loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend, she will be missed by all.
Survivors include her son, Michael (Loretta) Yellowhair of Cornfields; her daughter, Shiela (Michael) Acuna of Phoenix; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bahe Begay of Phoenix and Peter (Jennifer) Yesslith of Jeddito; and five sisters, Sandie (Steven) Tsinijinni of Dilkon, Betty (Bennie) Jensen of Holbrook, Sarah (Jasper) Tom of Phoenix, Marilyn Yesslith of Jeddito and Linda (Charlie) Yesslith of Jeddito.
She was preceded in death by four brothers, Raymond, Henry, George and Bennie Yesslith; and two sisters, Lorraine Poola and Helen Tom.
Owens Livingston Mortuary of Holbrook was in charge of the arrangements.
