Gracie A. Welsh

Gracie A. Welsh, died Saturday Oct. 23rd after a courageous battle with cancer. She was the daughter of Russell L. and Ruth (Mitchell) Welsh. Gracie was 46 years young. She graduated from Parker High School (1976). She graduated from Yavapai College (1981), and was the first member of the Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe to graduate from college when she earned a degree in communication from ASU (1983). She represented the best of both her worlds; as Miss Colorado River Indian (1975), Miss Indian Arizona (1976) and Miss Indian America (1977), and secretary\treasurer of the tribal board (1984), her native American heritage; as rodeo queen numerous times, owner of the Yavapai Smoke Shop and contributor to the Prescott area, she was a part of the total community. Gracie was a National Champion Barrel Racer who maintained memberships in the Pro Indian Rodeo Association, the National Christian Women Barrel Racing Association, and the Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association. Gracie is survived by Arnold Valenzuela, her loving companion of 15 years; daughter, Nicole Romo, son Ryan Romo, her parents Russell L. and Ruth G. Welsh, and her brothers Russ H. and Anson Welsh; her many friends and tribal members. The family will receive friends at the Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home, corner of Cortez and Carleton from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 29. A celebration in honor of Gracie's life will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 30, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 630 Park Avenue, Prescott, Arizona. Burial will be at the Yavapai Prescott Tribal Cemetery on the reservation with a dinner to follow at the Tribal Community Center.