Elise was born in Breadsprings on Dec. 25, 1936. She was born into the Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House) clan and born for the Táchii’nii (Red Running into the Water) clan.
She was preceded in death by her father John Smith; her mother Alice Joe Smith of Breadsprings; her husband Leo Martinez of Prewitt, N.M.; her brother Johnny Smith; and her sisters Marie Cayaditto of Crownpoint, N.M., Mary Brown of Red Rock, N.M., Sadie Brown of Breadsprings, Irene Kinsel of Breadsprings, and Edith Martinez of Prewitt. She is survived by her sister Ella Burbank of Breadsprings.
A funeral service will be held at Lighthouse Church, 2045 Westview St., in Gallup on June 29 at 9 am. Memorials/flowers can be sent to Cope Memorial Chapel.
