Obituaries Dec. 15, 2006

Marie 'Rede' Cummings

Marie "Rede" Cummings, 82, of Cottonwood, died Dec. 11, 2006, in Flagstaff. She was born Sept. 14, 1924, in Amarillo, Texas, to Arthur and Cecelia "Pal" (Durnez) Lysons.

Rede attended Bridgeport and Clarkdale schools and was a 1942 graduate of Clarkdale High School.

She was married to the late Mick Cummings and worked for the Cottonwood Elementary School.

Rede leaves behind two sons, Barry Cummings (Carol) of Phoenix, and Mickey Cummings (Mai) of Athens, Ohio; her daughter, Leslie Elam of Woodbridge, Va.; and seven grandchildren.

Private family services were held.

An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com.

Marie H. Brandao

Marie Helen Brandao, 89, died Dec. 11, 2006, in Houston, Texas. She was born Aug. 11, 1917, in Erie, Pa., and lived in Ohio before moving to the Southwest with her late husband Manuel.

She and Manuel lived in Sedona and Camp Verde for many years and were active members of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church. After Manuel's death in 2001, Marie moved to Spring, Texas, to be with her family. Her son Robert Kuhn died in May of this year.

Marie is survived by her daughter, Patricia Sweisthal; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Private graveside services will be Dec. 18 at Calvary Hills Cemetery, Humble, Texas. Remembrances may be sent c/o Calvary Hills Funeral Home, 21723 Aldine Westfield, Humble TX 77338.

Michael A. Carris

Michael Allen Carris, 46, of Cottonwood, died Dec. 8, 2006, in Yuma. He was born on Dec. 15, 1959, in Detroit, Mich., to Harry and Arline Carris.

Michael was a good mechanic, and loved working on cars. He enjoyed being outdoors, he liked to go hiking and camping. Traveling was also one of his favorites. Michael loved his daughter and was very proud of her.

Michael leaves behind his parents, Harry and Arline Carris of Margate, Fla; his daughter, Karen Carris of Cottonwood; his brother, Matthew Carris of Boca Raton, Fla; and his sister, Jodi Becker (Adam) of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

Funeral Services were Dec. 14. Donations made in Michael's name can be sent to any charitable organization.

An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com.

Alfred King

Alfred "Al" King, 78, of Cottonwood, died Dec. 12, 2006. He was born Nov. 19, 1928, in Phoenix to Adam Thomas and Nettie June (Combs) King.

Al proudly served his country during World War II in the U.S. Navy. He was the owner and operator of King's Roofing Company for 50 years. Al was a member of the Verde Baptist Church.

Al love to fly. In addition to a corporate plane, he flew his own Bonanza for many years. Traveling was also an adventure for him and his wife Dottie. Each summer they traveled Europe, and the other months they traveled the States. He was also an avid boxing fan.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 32 years, Dorothy E. King of Cottonwood; his son Terry King of Colorado; his two daughters, Linda Webber (Mark) and Sheryl Lile, all of Colorado; his brother, John King (Neva) of Arizona; his step-children, Dawn Naar of Cottonwood, Derek Naar of Phoenix, and Chris Naar of Camp Verde; as well as six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Private family services will be held at a later date in Colorado.

An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com.

Tomas M. Alvarez

Tomas Mejia Alvarez, 87, died Dec. 1, 2006, at the Copper Queen Community Hospital. Tomas was born Sept. 22, 1919, to Rosendo and Julia Mejia Alvarez in Sycamore Canyon. He grew up on his parent's ranch in the canyon. Tom learned the meaning of hard work quickly, working as a ranch hand, cowboy and farmer.

As a young man Tom began working for the U.S. Forest Service in the Civil Conservation Camps throughout the wilderness regions of Yavapai County. Tom served in the U.S. Army for three years before World War II broke out. He served as a private first class and also was a light machine gunner. He was an instructor training the newly enlisted men for deployment to Europe, where Tom also served through the war's end.

Following his military life, Tom returned to Arizona and married his beloved Regina P. Alvarez, and began a career as a miner for Phelps Dodge. He worked for 30 years in the Jerome and Bisbee mines, retiring in 1975.

Tom and his wife shared more than 50 years until her death on July 14, 2004.

Survivors include his two sons, Jesus (Frances) Alvarez and Joe (Jonel) Alvarez, all of Bisbee; brother, Chilo Alvarez of California; sister, Emelia Carrillo of Clarkdale; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Mass of the Resurrection was Friday, Dec. 8. Burial was at Southern Arizona Veterans Cemetery in Sierra Vista.

Arrangements were by Dugan Funeral Chapel.