Lee Benally Sr.

Lee E. Benally Sr.

Our Dad was born August 15, 1935 to Esclay and Susie Bennalley in Toadlena, New Mexico, and departed peacefully on March 3, 2022 at home in Newcomb, New Mexico.

Dad’s education included attending Toadlena Boarding School, Brigman City, Technical training in Los Angeles, California.  Dad worked in various fields as working on the Railroad as a teenager, Auto Mechanic, Surveyor for the Powerline, Carpentry with HITP/CETA/ONEO, owner of Lee E. Benally Construction building homes on the Navajo reservation, Welder, served 14 years as a Grazing Official for the Newcomb Chapter, and was a Farmer and Rancher.

Preceded in death are Parents Esclay and Susie Bennalley, Brothers: Joe G. Bennalley, Francis Bennalley, Ernest Bennalley, George Bennalley; Sisters: Dorothy Bennalley

Surviving by Brothers: Leonard Bennalley and Esclay Bennalley II; Sisters: Lucy Nakai-Tsosie, Jessie L. Bennalley, Betty A. Bennalley and Irene Bennalley. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews

And by his loving wife of 65 years, Emma Jean Benally, Daughters, Treva (Norman) Benally, Donna Benally, Sallie (Andrew) Nelson, Claudia (Billy) Keaton, Frieda (Patrick) Brown and Cynthia Benally; Sons, Lee Benally Jr., Hazen (Iris) Benally and Jason Bennalley.

21 Grandchildren: April L. Veith, Ryan D. Benally, Brandon L. Benally, Amber D. Benally, Bryan D. Benally, Kevin Benally, Lavina Benally, Hayden Benally, Ramondo D. Benally, Shaun L. Benally, Sheldon Benally, Shane Nelson, Andrew Nelson Jr., Leandrea Nelson, Octavian Bennalley, Audrey Countryman, Autumn Brown, Winter Brown, Christian Brown, Loren Vergera, and Leah Bustamante.

20 Great-Grandchildren: Mattea Veith, Matthias Veith, Aspen Veith, Walela Veith, Tobias Veith, Dante Benally, Blaine Benally, Aiden Benally, Kalee L. Benally, Kalynn E. Benally, Esclay L. Benally, Elle Cruz, Misha V. Benally, Arlena Benally, Luna Benally, Gabriel Benally, Emmylou H. Benally, Caleb Valle, Josie Countryman, Kai Countryman.

The family of Lee Ernest Benally, Sr wishes to express their sincere appreciation to all friends and relatives who were so kind and supportive during this time. Your kindness will always be remembered.