Gracie Smith

Our beloved mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gracie Smith, passed on Saturday, May 27, 2020. She was 80 years old and a lifelong resident of Smith Lake, NM.

Her clans were Water’s Edge Clan (Tάbąąhά), born for the Towering House Clan (Kinyaa’άanii). Her parents were Mary and Little Cowboy. Our Mom graduated from Albuquerque Indian High School in 1959, and completed a Culinary Arts Vocational Program. She worked for the Bureau of Indian Education at several Community Schools as a head cook for a total of 28 years. She also worked for the Navajo Nation Elderly Care Program as a cook.

Mom raised ten children and made sure we all graduated from high school. She loved her grandkids and great-grandkids. She loved to cook; we are going to miss the smell and taste of her food! Our mom loved to sing, she will be remembered for her songs. Her faith in God was strong and prayers were heard daily in the house as well as family gatherings. We will carry her teachings in our hearts and words we speak.

Our mom is survived by eight children, Miranda, Johnny Jr., Everett, Shane, Vivinita, Roanna, Clarissa, and Remondo. She had nineteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Little Cowboy; her siblings, Frank Cowboy and Lily Ramone; her daughters, Viola Bennett and Matilda Smith; and her grandson, Travis Bennett.

We will miss our mom’s presence, but we know that she is home with loved ones. Thank you for loving and caring for our mom. She was a pillar in the lives of many, and she loved and prayed for all.