Maurice Edward Sherriffee

On November 21, 2022, Maurice "Mo" Edward Sherriffee, age 83, passed away quietly and unexpectedly at Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital in Gallup, New Mexico surrounded by family and friends who will forever cherish memories of "Mo."

Maurice was born on May 15, 1939, in Mason City, Iowa. After graduating from Mason City High School, he relocated to New Mexico where he made his forever home. He started a family, became a business owner, and cultivated long-lasting friendships with the community. The Navajo People graciously taught him how to speak the Diné (Navajo) language.

Maurice had a keen sense of entrepreneurship. He learned the fundamentals of business while working at a trading post in Little Water, AZ and Ft. Wingate, NM. In 1971, Maurice opened M&S Meat Market in Gallup, NM, where he served the community as the best butcher in town for more than two decades. Maurice cut and trimmed every type of meat to perfection and treated every customer like his only customer. He later opened The Pit restaurant where he mastered his barbeque culinary skills. He transferred those skills to Best BBQ in Window Rock, AZ. Every Saturday, you could find Maurice serving up delicious moments for his loyal customers. Maurice retired from T&R Market after 40 years as a successful entrepreneur in a community he loved, and a community who loved him.

Maurice was a pillar in his community; always extending a helping hand whether he was donating fresh meat to community-based organizations or barbecuing his favorite meats to donate to those in need. "Mo" broke bread with so many people – near and far. And if he could gift you with a plant he propagated from his houseplants, he would be overjoyed. Maurice was a member of the Masonic Lodge, and he attended St. Paul's Missionary Baptist Church in Gallup.

Maurice is preceded in death by his beloved Mother Tressie Sherriffe-Lyghtner, brother Hubert Sherriffe, and sister Dr. Wilma Kirchhofer. He is survived by his partner, Alta Tsosie of 30 years, his sister Karen Lyghtner-Thomas of Atlanta, GA; his children Tressie Sherriffee of Gallup, NM; Maurice Sherriffee Jr. of Hemet, CA; Wilma Griffith of Jeffersonville, IN; Charmaine Sherriffee of Arlington, TX; Lynnette Brown of Gallup, NM; Fleurette Brown of Gallup, NM; Adrian Sherriffee of Fort Wingate, NM, and  many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.