Alfreda Colegrove Pratt

Alfreda passed on to the other side November 29, 2010 with her loving husband, family and friends at her side. She was born March 28, 1935 in Aberdeen, Washington to Alfred Nolan Colegrove Sr. and Mabel Veronica (Capoeman) Colegrove. Alfreda was a member of the Hoopa Valley tribe, with Yurok, Quinault, and Sanech ancestry. Alfreda attended elementary and high school in Hoopa, California, and after attending barber and cosmetology school in the Los Angeles area she returned to Hoopa Valley where she worked for many years as a barber and beautician. Elders often depended on her to make house calls to trim their hair when they were physically unable to make it into the shop. She also tried her hand at waiting tables for a brief time. Alfreda was lucky at playing casino games and would light heartedly comment after winning, "Now I can pay my bills." Many times when we were unable to find Alfreda and her husband Alex at home, they were at one of the local casinos. Alfreda's grand children have fond and fun memories of traveling to Eureka for dinner and a movie with their grandma. Her most significant job was nurturing the many people that she welcomed into her home and making them feel like everything was alright. She was an honest soul who told it like it was and believed in treating people with respect - and a bit of good humor. She loved to dance, sing, and listen to all kinds of music. Her grand children affectionately told of a time when they were at Reggae on the River and said, "Hey, there's Gram!" while she danced through the crowd. One of her favorite sayings that her children recall hearing was, "I have places to go, people to see, and so little time to do it in." She was adventurous and lived a full life. Alfreda is from a traditional Hupa dance family and contributed by cooking during the ceremonial dances and encouraging her off spring to live a good life and to always participate in a good way. Alfreda and husband Alex were married for eighteen years, which Alfreda tenderly said before passing, "It wasn't long enough". Together, they loved to travel, meet new people, and see new places. They were avid sports fans who loved to attend their grandchildren's many athletic activities throughout California. Her husband Alex Pratt, their children and spouses Rebecca Ferris (Gary Jordan), Deborah McConnell (Robert), Omar Dean III, and Alfreda Lynn Brown (Theron), Daniel Pratt (Tawny), Aryliss Pratt, Alyson Hescock (Sonny), numerous cousins, and special friends Tathama "Teemy" Black, Germaine "Nonie" Smith, and Byrdine Underwood survive Alfreda. She recently asked, "Just how many grandchildren do I have". She was blessed with thirty-two grandchildren, forty-seven great grand children with three others on the way, and one great-great grandchild. She was the only girl of six children and learned early to "brush it off and be tough because she was a cowgirl." She is survived by her brothers and sister-in-laws: Christopher Colegrove, Alfred "Riggie" Colegrove (Vonice), Gary Colegrove (Kathy), Lionel Colegrove (Ilene), Marilyn Colegrove and Melba Jean Middleton. Her parents Alfred and Mabel Colegrove, son Richard V. Dean, granddaughters Julianna and Stephanie Ferris, great grand daughter Angel Ferris, great great grandchild Kiona Billy Yanez, and brother Bryan W. Colegrove Sr, preceded her. The family would like to thank the many people who provided support, prayers, songs, and well wishes. We especially want to thank all of the health professionals who provided excellent and respectful care for Alfreda. There will be a wake at the Hoopa Community Center on Friday, December 3, 2010 beginning at 7:00 P.M, services at the Hoopa Neighborhood Facilities on Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 11:00 A.M., burial at the Hoopa Cemetery and reception following at the Hoopa Community Center. Harold "Joe Boy" Lewis and Justine "Butch" James will officiate the memorial services, and William "Billy" Carpenter will say a Hupa prayer at the graveside. Honorary Pall Bearers are Alfred "Riggie" Colegrove, Arlen Doolittle, Art Tonkin, Carl Colegrove, Carlo Miguelena, Christopher Colegrove, Cole Cross, Corky Simms, Curtis Dempewolfe, Daniel Pratt, Delmer Colegrove, Douglas Brown, Everette "Tweet" Colegrove, Frank Rojas, Freddy Brown, Gary Colegrove Sr, Gary Jordan, Gaylor "Sonny" Hescock, George "Portie" Blake, Glenn Moore Jr, Jerry McCovey, Joseph Jarnaghan Sr, Daniel "Johnson" Colegrove, Kenny Doolittle, Kenny Norton, Kevin Orcutt, Lafayette Davis, Lester "Fiddy" Latham, Lionel Colegrove, Loren Norton, Marlen Sorrell, Matthew Painter, Mel Youckton, Merky Oliver, Merv George Sr, Mike Ferris, Omar Dean Jr, Phillip "Beanie" Vigil, Robert "Bob" McConnell, Roland "Beetles" Brown, Sherman Norton, Stanley Ferris Sr, Sylvester Brown, Theron Brown, Vernon "Sonny" Pratt, Virgil Pole Sr, Walt Lara Sr, William "Billy" Carpenter. We respectfully apologize for not listing you and know that you will understand. Grandsons, great grandsons, and nephews are pall bearers, and to list, would fill a book. Please sign the guest book www.Times-Standard.com, click obits.