Andrew Kersey, 80
Andrew Troy Kersey, 80, of Albuquerque, died Saturday, June 5, 2004.
He was born on April 29, 1924, in Manitou, Okla., to Andrew and Lela Cook Kersey.
He was raised in Oklahoma Lane, Texas. He was a World War II veteran. He retired from Sandia National Labs in 1986.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy Kersey; five children, June Butler (and husband, Brian) of Albuquerque, Kaye Bachr (Don) of Edgewood, Joan Kostedt of Portales, Tom Kersey of Albuquerque and Gloria Drake (Steve) of Clovis; nine grandchildren, Bruce Martin and family, Glenn Kostedt and family, Janet Buenafe and family, Ken Kostedt and family, Tonya Nelson and family, James Lowe and family, Allan Kostedt and family, Troy Butler and Lin Drake; and 19 grandchildren.
Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at French Mortuary, University Boulevard Chapel in Albuquerque. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park in Albuquerque.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 5800 Lomas, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110.
Arrangements are by French Mortuary of Albuquerque.
Vida Mae Grimshaw, 92
Mrs. Vida Mae Grimshaw, 92, of Elida, died Monday, July 19, 2004, at Heartland Continuing Care Center in Portales.
She was born on Sept. 17, 1911, in Goldthwaite, Texas, to Bama and Rev. R W. Bynum.
Her family moved from Hamilton County, Texas, to the Elida community when she was 12. She married George D. Grimshaw on April 28, 1928, in Clovis. Her home was in Elida until 1987 when she moved to Golden Acres Retirement Apartments in Portales. She moved to a rest home in Clovis in 1995. About a month ago she moved to Heartland Continuing Care Center in Portales.
When she lived in Elida she was an active member of the First Baptist Church. After moving to Portales she belonged to the Emmanuel Baptist Church. She taught Sunday school classes all of her adult life. Family members said she enjoyed growing things and was an avid gardener.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Harmon, Nat and Newman Bynum; three sisters, Etta Krampin, Verba Harris and Ruth Crume; a daughter, Teresa VanOrden; two grandchildren; and by her husband.
Survivors include two sons, Thad Grimshaw (and wife, Cece) of Durham, N.C., and George Grimshaw (Patricia) of California City, Calif.; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church of Elida.
The Rev. Bob Bell will officiate the services, assisted by the Rev. George E. Grimshaw and the Rev. Walter Huber.
Burial will be at Elida Cemetery.
Pallbearers are her grandsons and great-grandsons.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Bernice Earwood
Services: 2 p.m. today at Wheeler Mortuary Chapel in Portales.
Mrs. Bernice Earwood, 90, of Portales, died Monday, May 31, 2004, at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis.
She was born on Oct. 17, 1913, in Gainesville, Texas, to Mae and Luther Cross.
In the 1920s her parents homesteaded near Causey. She married R.V. Earwood on March 30, 1930, in Clovis. They farmed in Causey until 1948. In 1952, they moved to Alamogordo, where she was employed in the Otero County Clerk’s Office. In 1971 they moved to Belen, where she worked for the Las Lunas Training School. In 1979, they returned to Portales, where she worked in the Senior Companion Program and did volunteer work in the community. She was a board member for the Portales Senior Citizens, and a member of the Southside Church of Christ. Family members said she enjoyed quilting, embroidery, crocheting, singing and growing roses.
She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Cecil, Luther, Charles and Francis Cross; a grandchild; a daughter, Wanda Jean Earwood; and her husband.
Survivors include two sons, Les Earwood (and wife, Dolores) of Alto and Bill Cross (June) of Rancho Cordovas, Calif.; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Rosemond Shelton of Laurel Ridge Nursing Center in Clovis and Pauline Crowe of Fallon, Nev.
Marlin Poynor and John Moreland will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Causey Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Charles Anderson, Charles May, Don Thomas, Bill Turnbow, Gerald Daughrity and G.C. Ross.
Honorary pallbearers are her grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the New Mexico Christian Children’s Home, 1356 NM 236, Portales, N.M. 88130.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Beatrice Davis-Grant, 84
Mrs. Beatrice Davis-Grant, 84, of Portales, died Friday, May 28, 2004, at her home in Portales.
She was born Dec. 23, 1919, in Chihuahua, Mexico to Clementina and Heleman Judd.
Mrs. Davis-Grant lived in Mexico until 1949. On Jan. 2, 1939 she was married to Jesse R. Davis. In 1972 they moved to Portales where she lived the remainder of her life. Beatrice worked as a caregiver to the elderly, and then began doing child-care in her home until her death. Mrs. Davis was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
She was preceded in death by both of her parents; a brother, Boyce Judd; 2 sisters, Eva Leymone and Elaine Judd; a son Clarence Davis; and by her husband, Jesse R. Davis who died in 1981.
She is survived by four sons, Jesse Lee and Josephine Davis of Lehi, Utah, Carlos Davis of Bakersfield, Calif., Harold Davis (and wife Peggy) of Portales and Adrian Davis (Barbara) of Boise City, Okla.; two daughters, Marva Mecham (and husband Leon) of Kaysville, Utah and Bette Lujan of Des Moines, N.M.; 27 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and1 great-great-grandchild; three brothers, Harold Judd of Abilene, Texas; Dave Judd of Magnum, Utah and Martin Judd of Smithfield, Utah; four sisters, Margaret Echardt of San Marcos, Calif., Vardell Brown of El Paso, Texas, Alice Wood of Snowflake, Ariz. and Belva Brown of Santa Fe.
Services have been held. A graveside service was held Saturday in the Portales Cemetery.
Bishop Lawrence Skelley and President Maximo Torres officiated the services.
Pallbearers were Rustin Lujan, Chantry Davis, Sol Davis, Kevin Lujan, Jess Lujan, Mark Clark, Eric Davis and Ezequiel Lujan.
Honorary pallbearers were Newel Jorgensen, Maximo Torres, Ray Martin, Lawrence Skelley, Frank Cheney and Richard Lujan.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Norma Cottrell, 51
Norma “Dustie” Cottrell, 51, of Carlsbad, died Friday, June 18, 2004, at her home.
She was born on Sept. 23, 1952, in Portales, to Alan and Helen Newbury Mead.
She attended school in Portales. Family members said she loved her family and was especially crazy about her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Cody Burge; two brothers, Don Mead and Jimmy Mead; and two families she loved as her own, Terry, Amanda, Kirsten and Dustin Smith and Roy, Amy, Kelsey, Timber and Tamber Heady.
Survivors include her husband, Ricky Cottrell of Carlsbad; two step-sons, Robert Cottrell (and wife, Angie) of Capitan and Brad Cottrell (Maria) of Wheelock, Texas; five grandchildren; four brothers, David Mead (Dean) of Carlsbad, Ernie Mead (Som) of Levelland, Texas, Larry Mead (Julie) of Carlsbad and Lanny Mead (Sue) of Alamogordo; a sister, Nedra Warren (Bill) of Haysville, Kan.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Victory Baptist Church in Carlsbad. The Rev. Mike Lee will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Carlsbad Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Raymon Medrano, Chad Jones, Justin and G.W. Mead, Russell Smith and Stephen Burleson.
Honorary pallbearers are Jackie Smith, Rob Chapman, Travis Stender, James Burleson, Will Marricle and Tony Espinoza.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Vista Care Family hospice, 611 North Canal Street, Carlsbad, N.M. 88220 or the Joe Arrington Cancer Center, 3101 22nd Place, Lubbock, T.X. 79410.
Arrangements are by Denton-Funchess Funeral Home of Carlsbad.
W.E. Dendy, 80
Mr. W.E. “Ed” Dendy, 80, of Portales, died Friday, June 18, 2004, at his home.
He was born on Sept. 2, 1923, in Olustee, Okla., to Bessie and Carl Dendy.
The Dendy family came to Portales from Olustee, Okla., in 1927. In 1943 he was drafted to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard until the end of World War II. He married Vera Elene O’Hair on June 18,1948, in Lubbock. In 1963 he bought a glass business in Bovina, where they lived for five years. He was a member of the Bovina Baptist Church and served as a deacon for the congregation. He lived in Portales since 1968. He drove trucks for Joe Ray and Welch Trucking before going to work for AMPI as a dairy supply salesman. He had been retired since 1988. He was a member of the University Baptist Church, and a lifetime member of VFW Post 9515. Family members said he dearly loved to fish, especially at Caballo Lake where he would stay for weeks at a time fishing for catfish.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Claude; and by his wife.
Survivors include three sons, Larry Dendy (and wife, Donna) of Lewisville, Texas, Joe Dendy of DeQueen, Ark., and Wade Dendy of Portales; a daughter, Judy Privett (Johnny) of Portales; five grandchildren, Robert and Brian Dendy, both of Lubbock, Christopher Dendy of Prescott, Ark., Lacey Dendy of DeQueen, Ark., and Eddie Privett of Portales; three great-grandchildren, Dillon Privett and Dalton Privett both of Portales and Zachary Dendy of Lubbock; two brothers, Kenneth Dendy of Lubbock and Jack Dendy of Portales; and three sisters, Marie Isabel of Hobbs, Imogene Monroe of Alamogordo, and Lou Slavey of Phoenix.
Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at Portales Cemetery. Scott P. Reeves will officiate the services.
Honorary pallbearers are Robert, Brian, Christopher, Lacey and Zachary Dendy and Eddy, Dylan and Dalton Privett.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Pedro Villanueva, 48
Mr. Pedro Olando (Pete) Villanueva, 48, of Portales, died Thursday evening, June 10, 2004, at Laurel Plains Healthcare Center in Clovis.
He was born on Nov. 22, 1955, in Villanueva to Mella and Alfonso Villanueva.
The Villanueva family moved to Portales in 1959. Pete attended the Portales schools and graduated from Portales High School in 1976. He loved sports, and went to all the football, basketball and volleyball games, where enjoyed watching his nieces and nephews play. He also loved to attend St. Helen Catholic Church and First Spanish Baptist Church. Mr. Villanueva was a very outgoing and friendly person who loved to visit and to have company.
He was preceded in death by his father on Sept. 30, 1991, and by two sisters, Jane and Dora Villanueva and a brother, Johnny Villanueva.
He is survived by his mother, Mella Villanueva of Portales; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Arthur and Valene Villanueva of West Jordan, Utah, and Steve and Sandra Villanueva of Portales; seven sisters and brothers-in-law, Josie and Tony Jaramillo Edgewood, Stella and David Lucero, Vickie and Danny Gonzales, Rosalie and Adam Pacheco, Corine and Pat Gonzales, Becky and Fabian Lopez and Annette and Tony Salguero, all of Portales.
The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 1 p.m., Monday at St. Helen Catholic Church in Portales.
A prayer service was held 7 p.m., Saturday at Wheeler Mortuary Chapel in Portales. The Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at St. Helen Catholic Church.
Friar Tobin Hitt will be celebrant.
Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.
Tony Jaramillo, Jr., David Lucero, Jr., Danny Gonzales, Jr., Adam Pacheco, Jr., A. J. Villanueva, Joshua Gonzales, Eric Padilla, Fabian Lopez, Jr., Tray Salguero and Jonathan Smith will serve as pallbearers.
All of his brothers-in-law will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary in Portales.
Alton “Jack” Dewbre, 94
Mr. Alton “Jack” Dewbre, 94, of Portales, died Wednesday, June 9, 2004, at Heartland Continuing Care Center in Portales.
He was born on Oct. 10, 1909, in Brownwood, Texas, to Etta and Alvey Dewbre.
He grew up in communities of Texas and Oklahoma. He married Roxie Mae Huskey on Oct. 7, 1933, in Ryan, Okla. The family lived in various places before moving to Portales in 1954. He worked in farming for many years and in the city for a short time before retiring at the age of 72. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends about old times and was an avid gardener.
A luncheon will be served at 11:30 a.m. at the Church of God Fellowship Hall on 1427 E. Amazon in Portales.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Doc, Mack, Milton and an infant; two sisters, Velma Dewbre and Syble Wilds; and by his wife.
Survivors include two sons, Jerald Dewbre (and wife Catherine) of Fort Sumner and Billy Dewbre (Kathy) of Rio Rancho; a daughter, Jean Lambert of Portales; a sister, Dorothy Jean Roundy of Moore, Okla.; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
Services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Portales Cemetery. The Rev. Donald Hay will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers are all family members and friends.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Helen Hale, 86
Helen Hale, 86, of Portales, died Thursday, June 10, 2004, at Lubbock Healthcare Nursing Home.
She was born on Feb. 25, 1918, in Red River County, Texas, to Mae Ola and Oco Norris.
She was adopted by her aunt and her husband, Maggie and J. Coy Williams. She graduated from Sam Houston High School in Houston in 1934. She attended the College of Industrial Arts and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1938. She married George M. Hale on July 1, 1938, in Clarksville, Texas. She then earned a master’s degree from East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas. She taught for 21 years in Clarksville before retiring in 1973. She served as a school board member from 1973 until 1984.
She moved to Portales in 1985, where she was a volunteer teacher’s aid. She was involved in education as a student, teacher, school board member and volunteer for 75 years. She also served as a Volunteer In Mission at McCurdy School in Espanola. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Portales, United Methodist Women, AARP and the Retired Teacher’s Association.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, George Williams; and by her husband.
Survivors include three sons, George A. “Jack” Hale (and wife, Mary) of Portales, Joe N. Hale (Carol) of Fruita, Colo. and Guy M. Hale of Tacoma, Wash.; a daughter, Cynthia Brandt (Phil) of Austin, Texas; a sister, Nell Ray of Vidor, Texas; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many friends.
Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church in Portales. The Rev. Harry Riser will officiate the services.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
A. Mozell Martin, 89
Mrs. A. Mozell Martin, 89, of House, died Thursday, June 10, 2004, at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis.
She was born on Aug. 1, 1914, in Merkel, Texas, to John Melton and Martha Cordelia Evans Henry.
She was raised in House from the age of 7. She made her home in Roswell from 1954 to 1967 before moving to Warner, Okla., in 1967. She returned to House in 1989. She worked as a school nurse at Connors Junior College in Warner, Okla., for 20 years and assisted in other school activities including working at the ballgames and serving as dorm mom. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Warner, Okla.
She was preceded in death by three brothers, Alvin, Jeff and Wilton Henry; and four sisters, Ethel, Norma Lee, Beulah and Lucille.
Survivors include two sons, Stanley B. Martin (and wife, Karen) of Phoenix and Sherman Martin (Becky) of House; 11 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Visitation is scheduled from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. Friday at Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner.
Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at Chavez Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Sumner. The Rev. Sherman Martin will officiate the services.
Burial will be at House Community Cemetery.
Pallbearers are her grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Baptist Children’s Home, P.O. Box 629, Portales 88130.
Arrangements are by Chavez Funeral Home of Fort Sumner.
Frances Hawkins, 79
Frances M. Hawkins, 79, of Bovina, died Tuesday, June 8, 2004, at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock.
She was born on Nov. 17, 1924, in Kado, Okla.
She married Lloyd Gober on Dec. 19, 1946, in New Mexico. She married Erith Hawkins in 1995, in New Mexico. She worked for Security State Bank in Farwell and First National Bank in Bovina. She was a homemaker and a member of the Bovina United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her first husband; a brother, James Roach; and a sister, Billie Barber.
Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Kim Gober of Ruidoso; a son, Lane Gober (and wife, Liz) of Victoria, Texas; three step-sons, Chet Hawkins of Tulia, Texas, Daryl Hawkins of Portales and Erith Hawkins III Payallup, Wash.; a granddaughter, Chelsea Gober of Victoria, Texas; a grandson, Jeff Gober of Victoria, Texas; five step-grandchildren; and a step-great-grandchild.
Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. (CDT) Friday at Bovina United Methodist Church. The Rev. Gene Hawkins, the Rev. Jimmy McGuire and the Rev. Quita Jones will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Bovina Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Blackwell Funeral Home of Friona.
Harry Gunn, 74
Harry L. Gunn, 74, died Saturday, June 5, 2004, at his home, following an extended illness.
He was born July 22, 1929 in Caddo, Texas, to Wayne and Orleena Gunn.
Gunn graduated from Texas Tech University in 1951 with a degree in petroleum geology.
Gunn worked as an independent consulting petroleum geologist in the Carlsbad/Artesia area from 1951-55.
He married his wife Sandra June 24, 1988 in Roswell. The two resided in Artesia until 1992, then moved to Portales.
Gunn was an environmental scientist with the state environment department’s USTB division. He retired in 1999.
Gunn was a member of Alpha Phi Omega and the Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists. Gunn was an Eagle Scout and remained involved in the Boy Scouts for many years.
Gunn was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Will Gunn of Odessa, Texas; a daughter; Lori Gunn of Midland, Texas and a step-son, Gary Johnson of Carlsbad.
He is survived by his wife Sandra; an ex-wife, Peggy Gunn of Midland; three sons, Kellan Gunn of Midland, Russell and Deborah Gunn of Spartanburg, S.C., Anthony and Cindy Gunn of Allen, Texas; two daughters, Rebecca Tidwell of Portales and Lynda Silver of Kaufmann, Texas; a sister, Martha Buckley of Fort Worth, Texas; a sister-in-law, Frances Gunn of Odessa; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday at the Christian Campus House at Eastern New Mexico University.
Services will be conducted by Radford Lane of Midland.
Christopher Gikas, 78
Mr. Christopher Gikas, 78, of Farwell, a retired professor, died Sunday, June 6, 2004, at his home.
He was born on Jan. 26, 1926, in Lincoln, Neb., to Nestor O. and Freida Coronas Gikas.
He graduated from high school in Borger, Texas. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corp. during World War II in the European Theatre in England. He attended Oklahoma State University where he received a bachelor’s degree. He received a master’s degree from the University of New Mexico and taught art at West Texas University for seven years and at Eastern New Mexico University for 23 years. He married Peggy Snider on Sept. 1, 1984. He served as mayor of Farwell for many years. He was the 1990 Man of the Year in Farwell. He was a member of Hamlin Memorial United Methodist Church and Rotary International Club.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Tom Gikas (and wife, Lisa) of Mountainair; a stepdaughter, Kim Newton (Grady) of Salado, Texas; two stepsons, John Snider of Farwell and David Snider (Carol) of Texico; two brothers, Col. Gus Gikas, retired (Leola) of San Antonio, Texas, John Gikas (Joyce) of Lubbock and Ted Gikas of Pampa, Texas; two sisters, Margaret Herrin (Dr. B.J.) of Marshall, Texas, and Marie Puckett (Robert) of Bartlesville, Okla.; two grandchildren, Stacey Haley of Portales and Taylor Gikas of Mountainair; three step grandchildren, Lauren Glenn of Salado, Texas, Nick Newton of San Marcos, Texas, and Bobby Snider of Texico; four great-grandchildren, Hunter, Madison and Will Haley, all of Portales and Madison Glenn of Salado, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews; and long-time friend, Ed DeBrull of El Paso, Texas.
Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Farwell City Park. Cremation will take place.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Methodist Children’s Home, 1111 Herring Ave., Waco, Texas 76708 or your favorite charity.
Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis.
