Jennie T. Allen

Jennie T. Allen Richfield, Utah - Jennie Tohonnie Allen, age 85, of Richfield, died March 11, 2004 at her home in Richfield, surrounded by her loving family. She was born June 16, 1918 in Dennebito, Arizona, a daughter of Hosteen and Zohnie Asahn Chishi Tohonnie. She married Carl Allen Sr., June of 1938 in Dennebito, Arizona. He died in May of 1972. After being separated for 38 years, she is once again reunited with her beloved husband. Jennie was of the Chishi Dineh and born for the Tanasdzanii people. She attended school in Tuba City, AZ, completing through the 3rd grade, where she initially met her future husband. Upon completing the 8th grade, she returned to Dennebito. Eleven years later, at the age of 19, she once again met Carl Allen Sr. and they were married. For the next 10 years, as Carl worked the railroad, Jennie accompanied him on his many endeavors. In 1946 they had the first of seven children. She continued to work various harvesting jobs (sugar beets and potatoes) throughout Utah, Idaho and in Littlefield, Arizona. After their third child, Jennie and Carl settled down in Dennebito, AZ, where they ranched and grazed cattle and sheep until Carls death in 1972. At that time, Jennie left Dennebito to live in California with her eldest daughter. In 1985, Jennie had a house built in Richfield and became known as “Grandma Richfield” and she has resided there, with her sister, Jolie, ever since. Jennie was deeply rooted in her spiritual Navajo beliefs. She was a Traditional Navajo Medicine Woman and was a very talented Navajo Rug Weaver. She is survived by her children: Jayne and Jim White of LaVerkin; Byron and Karren Allen, Harry Allen, Gernice and Danny White, all of Richfield; Tom and Lorraine Allen of Paige, Arizona; and a very special granddaughter, who was there when grandma needed her the most, Genevieve and Steve Rodriquez of Richfield; 21 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sister: Jolie Tohonnie of Richfield. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two daughters: Bernice Allen and Lucy Allen; two sisters and a brother: Sadie Cardy, Bahe Friday and Tohonnie Begay. Funeral services were held Saturday, March 13, 2004 in the Springer Turner Funeral Home Chapel in Richfield, with Pastor Evan Day of the Valley Community Church, officiating. Prelude and postlude music was played by Nancy Jerome. The family prayer was offered by Shawn Allen. Alan Lee gave a traditional Navajo prayer, Gernice White and Genevieve Rodriquez presented tributes. There was a Navajo Singer CD, “Natay” and Hallie Fike sang “Amazing Grace. Pastor Day gave some remarks and the benedicton. Burial was in the Richfield City Cemetery where Byron Allen, a son, dedicated the grave. Pallbearers werre: Tom Allen, Harry Allen, Bryon Allen, Chee Friday, Jeffrey White and Jim White. Honorary pallbearers were: Shawn Allen, Pearson Allen, Tohonnie Allen, Dayton Allen, Bryan Allen, T.J. Allen, Nathaniel Allen, Mary White and Kial White. The family would like to extend a very special thanks to the Valley Community Church and to the co-workers of Gernice White for all their help and support during their bereavement. Funeral Directors: Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield, Salina and Gunnison.