Vernita Kay Tom

VERNITA KAY TOM Funeral services for Vernita Kay Tom, a lifelong resident of Towaoc, will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29 at the Towaoc Recreation Center. Interment will follow at Cortez Cemetery. A Wake is planned for Tuesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. at 944 Lafayette Street in Towaoc. Vernita was born in Cortez on December 21, 1959 the daughter of Homer Tom and Frances Marie (Wall) Tom. She passed away at Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock on Friday, May 24, 2013. Vernita was 53 years old. Vernita received her high school education at Brigham City, Utah, graduating in 1978. While there Vernita played women's softball and was captain of the high school swim team. Another team sport Vernita played was volleyball. She enjoyed cross stitch in her quieter time. Surviving Vernita are her husband of ten years, Ira Hamilton Hayes of Towaoc; two sons, Kerwin L. Tom, Sr. and wife, Eugena of Towaoc and Durant G. Tom and wife, Janet of Bernalillo, N.M.; and six grandchildren; her sisters and brothers, Helen Munoz of Towaoc, Marjorie Soto and husband, Jsus of Phoenix, Ariz., Raymond Tom of Towaoc, Mary Jane House Ridley and husband, Elliott of White Rocks, Utah; David Badback and wife, Janice, Angelia Badback, Gloria Tom and Rosalina Tom all of Towaoc; as well as by numerous other family members. Vernita was preceded in death by her parents, Homer Tom and Frances Marie Tom; by a son Gaston L. Wing; and her siblings, Roderick House, Ernest House Sr., Raynard Tom, Rosella Wall and Emily Tom.