Alma Jean Sutherland 1947 ~ 2024
Funeral Services for Alma Jean Sutherland, 77, will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel in Monument Valley, UT. Interment will be at the Monument Valley Cemetery. A reception will be held following the services.
Alma was born on November 23, 1947, in Westwater, Utah, to Evelyn Crank Huskon and Calvin Holiday Sr. She was of the Yé’ii Táchii’nii (Red Running Into Water Clan), born for the Ashiihí (Salt Clan).
Alma bravely faced the challenges of Dementia. Unexpectedly on December 04, 2024, she went missing. Last week her remains were found. The family is grateful for all who helped during these past months of uncertainty, pain, and sorrow.
Alma approached life with curiosity and vigor that was both inspiring and infectious. Alma loved outdoor activities, animals, laughing and tap dancing. She was on the L.D.S. placement program, but returned to live with her older sister Tinna Willie in Blanding UT. At San Juan H.S. she participated in the musical Oklahoma, baton twirling for the Marching Band, and performed in the “Traveling Assembly” at high schools in the Four Corners region.
Alma attended Bacon College in Muskogee, Oklahoma obtaining a cosmetology license. She went to B.Y.U. and married her husband, Pat Sutherland. They had two children and resided on the Navajo Nation until they divorced.
Alma always maintained a deep commitment and love for her children. She was extremely gifted in sewing, drawing, crocheting, bead work, knitting, Navajo basket weaving, Navajo traditional pottery, and cooking. Alma explored her surroundings with a sense of adventure and loved being outdoors. She attended the C.E.U. obtaining her associates degree. Later she attended S.U.U.
As single mother, she built a home in the beautiful land scape of Monument Valley. Alma worked in various jobs in housekeeping, cashiering and waitressing. She loved country dancing and family reunions.
Alma’s greatest joy was seeing her grandchildren and great grandchildren progress in life. She was known for waking up before dawn, meeting each new day with happiness, and opening the curtains of her house so the sunlight could come in. “In old age wandering on a trail of beauty, living again, may I walk. It is finished in beauty. It is finished in beauty. It is finished in beauty. It is finished in beauty.”
Alma is survived by her son, Nathan Eaglespeaks Sutherland; daughter, Tarah Sutherland Perez; 14 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; sisters, Tinna H. Willie; Caroline Simpson; June M. Wauneka; Velma Perez; Maeta Beck; Linda Williams; Audrey Payton; Verlene Henry; Julene Price; Darlene Holiday, Julie Ann Holiday, Elaine Holiday, and Carol Holiday; and brother, Carl Holiday.
Alma is preceded in death by her father, Calvin Holiday Sr.; mother, Evelyn Crank Huskon; brothers, Lawrence Williams, Alex Williams, Calvin Holiday Jr., and Alvin Holiday.
The family is deeply grateful for the F.B.I., Police, volunteers, first responders, MMIW/MMIP coordinators, family, & community members who assisted in the search.