Elvira Mae Wayne

Elvira Mae Wayne, 90, passed away Sunday, November 19, 2017 in Parker, Arizona. Services were held Friday, November 24, 2017 at the LDS Stake Center in Holbrook. Interment was at the Reed Hatch Cemetery in Taylor, AZ.   Elvira was born January 6, 1927 in the Hidden Dam area of Leupp, AZ to John Billie and Ethel Tsinajinnie. She was of the Tsenjikini Clan, born for the T’abaaha’ clan, maternal grandfather was of the Tsi’naajinni clan and paternal grandparents were from the Kinyaa’aanii clan. Eva, as she was also known, attended schools in Keams Canyon as a Beginner & Leupp School from grades 1-3. When the Leupp School was closed, used to house Japanese during WWII, most of the students were transferred to Tuba City, where she completed the 4th & 5th grades. She never returned to school thereafter.   In 1948 she married David Wayne, who was a Police Officer for close to 3 decades. As an Officer's wife, she fed, clothed and sheltered victims of various atrocities, abused families and even taught life skills to those who lacked or were in need of parental training. During this time she and David became parents to ten children.   She enjoyed various family activities like camping, fishing and hunting. She even won the Turkey Shoot in Indian Wells once, out-gunning the menfolk. She thoroughly enjoyed cooking for her own and congregations, tending to her livestock and her home, a place that she loved so dearly.   Eva was active in the Indian Wells community for many years. In the early 1990s she was called on to help in the creation of the Indian Wells & White Cone Senior programs. She was a strong advocate and supporter in the building of the Indian Wells Elementary School.   Her later years were spent at home in Indian Wells among family, relatives and friends. Unfortunately, she was moved to Parker in 2016, away from home, where she passed away.   She is survived by six children; Daniel, Martha, Delmar, Delbert, Davis step-daughter Pricilla Santillan of Loving, NM, & many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.   She is preceded in death by her husband, David Wayne, Sr.; children, Johnny, Marcella, DeWayne and David, Jr.; siblings, Cecil Wilson, Ethel Begay, Rosebelle Dixon, Mary Chino, Harry Wilson, and Harold Wilson; and her parents. She will surely be missed by all who knew and loved her in this life.