Ernestine Carol Littletree

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother Ernestine Carol “Pigeon” Littletree (née Posey), 79. She passed peacefully at her Kirtland home on November 21, 2024. She will be remembered for her deep love of family, her warm and welcoming spirit, and her gift for making everyone feel at ease and truly at home. She was born June 1, 1945, in Fort Washakie, Wyoming and was raised by her paternal grandmother Maude Posey, whom she called her mom, and her aunt Bernice Posey. She moved to San Jose, CA under the Indian Relocation program in the early 1960s. After marrying the love of her life, Jasper, on April 29, 1966, in Redwood City, CA, she and Jasper moved their growing family to Milpitas, CA, and to various places in Wyoming and Utah. They eventually settled in Kirtland, NM in the mid 1970s.

Throughout her life, Carol worked as a nurse’s aide in California, Utah, and Farmington. She was a hospice volunteer, Sunday school teacher, Cub Scouts den mother, and a Girl Scouts leader. She spent most of her working years with Central Consolidated Schools as a lunch clerk and cook, feeding hundreds of Kirtland kids every day. In her retirement, she devoted herself to caring for her family, enjoying road trips, and taking Encore classes at San Juan College. She treasured time spent with friends at the Farmington Senior Center, and found joy in painting ceramics and being an active member of the Fellowship of Spirit Church in Farmington.

She is preceded in death by her husband Jasper Littletree, her grandmother Maude Posey, aunt Bernice Posey, father Ernest Posey, Jr., and siblings Dansyl Posey, Sr., Maynard Posey, Sr., Daniel Posey, Michael Posey, Sr., Nola Posey, Ruby Posey, Edward Girten, Sr., and Timothy Girten.

She is survived by children Karen Romancito, Kenny Littletree, Shawn Littletree, Wendy Littletree Pino, and Sandy Littletree. She is also survived by her daughters-in-law Yolanda Benally and Leona Littletree, and sons-in-law Aaron Pino, Sr. and Joseph Seymour, Jr. Carol was a loving grandmother to Kyle Hoskins, Chyna Quintana, Amber Toddy, Sonny Smith, Curtis Littletree, Dustin Littletree, Evan Littletree, Arian Pino, Sage Pino, M’iitra Pino, Kimiko Littletree, Kori Littletree, and Ysenia Littletree, and 3 great grandchildren. She is also survived by siblings Pauline Posey, Rose Siers, Ernest Posey III, Ivan Posey, Marge Glick and Melody Meade and numerous nephews and nieces. She is also survived by her beloved in-laws, Jasper’s nieces, nephews, and cousins, who shared in her love and support throughout the years.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10am December 14, 2024 at Sunset Hills Baptist Church in Kirtland with a reception following. In accordance with Carol’s wishes, her cremated remains will be laid to rest at the Kirtland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, we ask for donations and non-perishable food items for ECHO Food Bank.