Iva Lee Wilmoth, 88
Services: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Calvary Baptist Church in Portales.
Mrs. Iva Lee Brown Wilmoth, 88, of Des Moines, Wash., died Monday, Jan. 17, 2005, in Des Moines, Wash.
She was born on June 1, 1916, in Royal, Okla., to Mary Ethel Anderson and Troy Lee Brown. The family moved from Oklahoma to Texas by covered wagon in the mid 1920’s. They later moved to the Richland community in southern Roosevelt County where she attended school and graduated. She went on to attend classes at Eastern New Mexico Junior College in Portales for a time before marrying Dale Wilmoth in Clovis on Dec. 22, 1936. They made their home in the Dora area until 1941 when they moved to Morenci, Ariz. In 1969, they moved to York, Ariz. to the new home they had built themselves. She remained there until 2003 when she moved to Des Moines, Wash. to make her home with her daughter. Family members said she was always very active in civic affairs. For many years she was the county director for the 4-H program. She and her husband were among the charter members of the York Baptist Church where she remained active in a variety of roles. Family members said she was a favorite with her grandchildren and nieces and nephews because she loved playing games with them and she also enjoyed working puzzles.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two grandchildren, Rainbow and Tetra Wilmoth; and her husband.
Survivors include three sons, Howard Wilmoth of Federal Way, Wash., Stephen Wilmoth (and wife, Rain) of Pebble Beach, Calif. and James Wilmoth of Las Vegas, Nev.; a daughter, Cathy Tyler (Marco) of Des Moines, Wash.; three grandchildren, Robin Wilmoth-Couchois, Jamie Wilmoth and Adam Cesmat; a great-grandchild, Liam Couchois; three brothers, Leo and Delbert Brown both of Portales and Glen Brown of Roswell; and three sisters, Zell Chapman-Taylor of Portales, Cordia Harvey of Danville, Calif. and Jeanie Travis of Farwell.
The Rev. Ron Kallandar and Rev. Roy Roach will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Mt. Zion Cemetery near Dora.
Pallbearers are Aaron, Fred and Matthew Stevens, Wesley Brown, and Terry and Mike Travis.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Lu Lu Thomson, 94
Lu Lu Lenora Thomson, 94, of El Paso, Texas, died Thursday, Jan. 13, 2005, in El Paso.
She was born to Charles Albert and Lu Lu Ford Christa on May 15, 1911, in Roswell. She started school in Belen and graduated from high school in Clovis. She also attended classes at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales. She married Gerald Benjamin Thomson Sr. in 1930. She was the past president of the Las Vegas Women’s Club. She was Advertising Manager for the “Portales Daily News,” the “Las Vegas Optic,” and the “Alpha News.” She was also a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club and a lifetime member of the Rio Grande Branch of Pen Women. Family members said she was a talented poet and received many honors for her published works throughout her life. She was a member of the Church of Christ wherever she lived, and family members said she always used her talents writing the bulletin and teaching Sunday school.
She was preceded in death by her husband; a son, Bon Albert; two brothers, Charles and Clarence; and a sister, Cristine; and two grandchildren, Sarah Thomson and Collin Keene.
Survivors include a daughter, Therma Katherine Keene (and husband, Gary); a son, Gerald Benjamin Thomson Jr. (Amelia); a daughter-in-law, Nona Thomson; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
No services have been planned.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the New Mexico Christian Children’s Home, 1356 NM 236, Portales, N.M. 88130.
Arrangements are by El Paso Hillcrest Funeral Home.
Homer Buel Hobbs, 85
Homer Buel Hobbs, 85, of Portales, died Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2005, at his home in Portales.
He was born on May 26, 1919, in Cisco, Texas, to Susie and Homer Hobbs. When he was a boy, the family moved to Roosevelt County and settled near Pep. He attended school at Elida. In April of 1941 he was inducted into the U.S. Army. He was part of the 200th Coast Artillery and went to the Philippine Islands in the fall of that year. On April 9, 1942, he along with thousands of other American soldiers was captured by the Japanese and marched to prison camps in the Bataan Death March. He was held captive in prison camps until September 1945. He had been awarded a Purple Heart, and eight Bronze Stars as well as other assorted medals and ribbons. After his release he went to Arkansas to join his family. He married Maxine Hodges on Dec. 19, 1946, in Fayetteville, Ark. They made their home in Lincoln, Ark., until 1951. They moved to a farm north of Portales for a short time, and then moved into town. He worked at various odd jobs until he went to work as a carpenter. In the early 1970s he began working at Wheeler Mortuary doing handyman jobs. He retired in the mid 1980s. In his later years he enjoyed watching rodeos and old westerns on television. He was a member of the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Elvin T. and Charles H. Hobbs; and his wife.
Survivors include a son, Jim Hobbs (and wife, Sue) of Midland, Texas; a daughter, Bobbie Victor (Bobby) of Dora; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Glenn E. Hobbs of Huntsville, Ark., and Wylie E. Hobbs of Checotah, Okla.; and a sister, Ida Pearl Martin of Floyd.
Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Wheeler Mortuary Chapel in Portales. Mike Tucker and Scott Reeves will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Shane Hobbs, Rick Black, Chance Tucker, Ethan Tucker, Buster Tucker and Alec Black.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Mary O. Smith, 89
Mary O. Smith, 89, of Santa Fe, died Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2005, at St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe.
She was born on July 18, 1915, in Truchas, to Marguerita and Joseph Smith. She grew up in Santa Fe, where she attended school. Due to her mother’s death at an early age, she devoted her life to raising her siblings. Family members said she continued to be a “Mother” figure to her family throughout her lifetime. She was a longtime member of the Spanish Baptist Mission and was a devoted Christian, who every night at 10 p.m. would stop all activity to read the Bible and pray. Family members said she always enjoyed children and would look after her neighbors. Her hobbies included cooking, canning, embroidery and sewing.
Services have been held.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and five brothers, David, Joe, James, Sam, and Ernest Smith.
Survivors include two brothers, Robert Smith of Santa Fe and Rev. Frank Smith (and wife, Diana) of Portales; a sister, Ester Linthicum of Portales; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Montie Cochrain
Services: 10 a.m. Thursday at Elida Methodist Church
Montie Cochrain, 82, of Elida, died Sunday, April 3, 2005, at his home.
He was born on Oct. 15, 1922, in Elida, to Cecil May and Steve B. Cochrain.
He lived nearly his entire lifetime on the same ranch. He attended school in Elida and was a member of the class of 1941. For several years he lived in Alamogordo where he drove trucks for his uncle. He married to Fern Campbell on Dec. 9, 1942, in Portales. He and his wife ranched and farmed and in addition ran a dairy operation for 22 years. In 1964 he sold off the dairy cattle and began doing custom harvesting. He retired from the harvesting business in 1996.
Family members said he had a great wit and sense of humor, and loved playing jokes and pranks. He also enjoyed camping out, fishing and hunting.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife, two daughters, LaVerne Standifer of Lovington and Lovita Frusher (and husband, David) of Clovis; five grandchildren, Leslie Addison (Wesley), Steve Standifer (Angela), Cade Standifer (Cherise), Montie Nickels (Michelle) and Austin Hale (Jolene); 11 great-grandchildren, Katie and Corbin Fruchey, Lauren, Gunner and Harlea Standifer, Hailey and Lynsie Nickels, Jordan Hale and Janae Hale and Colton and Clayton Addison.
The Rev. Mary Sue Hull will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Elida Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Montie Nickels, Cade and Steve Standifer, Austin Hale, Wes Addison and Travis Johnson.
Honorary pallbearers are Billy Bob Harris, Joe Smith, Ben and Donald Creighton, Jim Bob Nuckols, Donald Creighton and Delbert Ledbetter as well as all of his many friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the New Mexico Boys Ranch, P.O. Box 5000, Boys Ranch, NM 87002-5000.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Thomas Wilkerson
Services: 1 p.m. Wednesday at the High Plains Baptist in Clovis.
Mr. Thomas L. “Roy” Wilkerson, 82, of Clovis, died Monday, April 4, 2005, at his home.
He was born on Dec. 18, 1922, in Lillian, Texas, to David Henry and Bessie Drusilla Wilkerson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Geraldean; three brothers, J.T., J.D. and Henry L. Wilkerson; and a sister, Merdell Vestal.
He was a resident of Clovis since 1948. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He worked for many years at the Safeway Milk Plant in Clovis before retiring in 1986. He married Inez Strickland on Jan. 12, 1991, in Bullhead City, Ariz. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the VFW. Family members said he loved calling bingo for the Eagles Lodge and he never met a stranger. He was a member of High Plains Baptist Church in Clovis.
Survivors include his wife; three sons, Jeffery Wilkerson and Matthew Wilkerson (and wife, Melissa), all of Clovis and Preston Wilkerson (and wife, Vickie) of Portales; three step-sons, Charles Michael Robinson of Amarillo, Clifton Robinson (Diana) of Clovis, and Calvin Robinson (Debbie) of Mt. Pleasant, Texas; a brother, Billy Wayne Wilkerson of Amarillo; three sisters, Earlene McCreary of Hereford, Dorothy Karlin of Amarillo and Catherine Hill of Childress, Texas; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Charles Miller will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Diabetes Association, Hospice, or Cancer Research.
Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis.
Jose Chavez
Services: 10 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Clovis.
Jose Horacio Chavez, 68, of Clovis, died Thursday, March 31, 2005, at Lubbock Heart Hospital.
He was born on Sept. 20, 1936, in Santa Rosa, to Jose Lino and Estella Chavez.
He married Celina Gonzalez on Sept. 19, 1953, in Clovis. He worked as a custodian for Gattis and Cameo schools for 25 years and at Swift Packing. Family members said he was a handyman and loved to refinish furniture. He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a volunteer at La Casa Senior Center, Friendship Senior Center, Parks and Recreation Committee, the Community Action program, the Marriage Encounter, and Marriage Enrichment at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Predicanda Martinez.
He is survived by his wife; four sons, Anthony Chavez (and wife, Marianela), Roman Chavez (Linda Padilla) all of Clovis, Edwin Dean (Judy Hice) of Dixon, and Jeffery Chavez of Portales; three daughters, Mary Ann Gonzales (Johnny) of Nashville, Tenn., Angela Lopez (Randy) of Clovis, and Vivian Bond (Robert) of Alexandria, La.; two brothers, Jose Jesus Chavez (Millie) and Deacon Daniel Chavez (Frances), all of Clovis; a sister, Lucy Chavez of Clovis; 20 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.
A rosary is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Clovis.
Father Sotero Sena will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Mission Garden of Memories in Clovis.
Pallbearers are John Gonzales Jr., Dominic and Shawn Chavez, and Mark, Michael, and Christopher Lopez.
Honorary pallbearers are Mathew and Timothy Gonzales, Eric, Jose J. and Deacon Daniel Chavez, and Michael Mount.
Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis.
Marion Mitchell
Services: 10 a.m. Tuesday at Melrose Cemetery.
Marion Robert "Bob" Mitchell, 82, of Bohnam, Texas, died Saturday, April 2, 2005, at the Medical Center of Plano in Plano, Texas.
He was born on July 20, 1922, in Lucas, Iowa, to Marion Francis and Ruth Maud Williams Mitchell.
He married Viona Marie Hamar on July 23, 1944, in Clovis. He was a former resident of Muleshoe, Portales, and Clovis. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a auto mechanic and a truck driver for most of his life. He was a member of the Oddfellow Lodge, VFW, and the American Legion.
He was preceded in death by his wife; and his parents.
He is survived by a brother, Billy "Bill" Eugene Mitchell (and wife, Vena) of Des Moines, Iowa; a sister, Alice Anne Taylor of Greenforest, Ark.; a brother-in-law, Frank Hamar (Ava) of Plano, Texas; a sister-in-law, Dona Hamar of Portales; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The Rev. Dean Turvaville will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Melrose Cemetery.
Military honors will be performed the U.S. Navy.
Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis.
Nell Stokes
Services: 12:30 p.m. Monday in the foyer of the Third and Kilgore Church of Christ in Portales.
Mrs. Nell Riley Stokes, 88, of died Thursday, March 31, 2005, at Covenant Lakeside Hospital in Lubbock.
She was born on March 19, 1917, in Big Spring, Texas, to Ima Orene and Jerry Scott Riley.
She grew up in the Arch community at Portales Springs. She graduated from Portales High School in 1934. She graduated in 1936. She married Robert Stokes on March 14, 1938, in Portales. She taught for a short time at the Arch school. She served on the Camp Fire Board and a Camp Fire leader. She was a member of the Fourth Street congregation of the Church of Christ. Family members said she was known for her colorful quilts and needlework.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Junior, Bud, and Pat Riley; and her husband.
Survivors include two sons, Jerry Stokes of Portales Springs and Bob Stokes (and wife, Alice) of Portales; three daughters, Ida Nicholson of Fort Worth, Texas, Jeanie Stokes of Santa Fe, and Betty Stokes of Portales; eight grandchildren, Richard Nicholson, Alicia Nicholson King, Myra Stokes Skinner, Dawn Stokes Score, Melissa Stokes Haraughty, Kristie Stokes, Jeana Nicholson Schou, and Marla Stokes Bashaw; eight great-grandchildren, Jeremy and Jennifer King, Kassandra and Jesse Clark, Deserai Haraughty, Kehlet Schou, Taylor Bashaw, and Terin Score; a brother, James Riley of Denver; and five sisters, Eva Partin, Neva Wilhoit, and Imogene Arnold, all of Portales, Joy Williams of Abilene, Texas, and Merle Corbin of Arch.
Leroy Thomas will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.
Pallbearers are various family members.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of Eastern Scholarship Fund or to the New Mexico Christian Children’s Home.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Ronald Sleezer, 64
Services: 1 p.m. Saturday at Muffley Funeral Home Chapel in Clovis.
Ronald Everett "Ron" Sleezer, 64, of Las Vegas, Nev., died Friday, March 25, 2005, at his home.
He was born on Dec. 29, 1940, in Kansas, to Ernest Everett and Genevieve Veturia DeLong Sleezer.
He was a bartender, and a member of the Church of Christ.
Survivors include his parents; two sisters, Bea Martel (and husband, Roger) of Clovis, and Carol Fulgham (Roye) of Clovis; a brother, James Todd Sleezer of Amarillo; two nephews, Daniel Tyler of Round Rock, Texas and Ronnie Pace of Portales; five nieces, Terri Vasquez, Katrina Bussey, Kandis Merrill, Suzanne Martel, all of Clovis, and Melissa Short of Norfolk, Va.
Jon Forrest will officiate the services.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Baptist Childrens Home, 1032 Childrens Drive, Portales.
Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis.
Steven Self, 92
Services: 10 a.m. Saturday at Melrose Cemetery in Melrose.
Stephen Earl “Stuffy” Self, 92, of Clovis, died Thursday, March 31, 2005, at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas.
He was born on June 22, 1912, in Boswell, Okla., to Richard and Mary Self.
He married Opal Farrar on Nov. 25,1946. He came to Melrose in 1928 and worked for various ranches and on oil rigs. He served in World War II from 1941 until 1945 in the Aleutian Islands and in the Asiatic Pacific Theater and has many medals and ribbons. He was the manager of a grain elevator in Clovis from 1950 to 1966 and remained a consultant for several years. He served on the draft board. His retirement years were spent in supervising farming and ranching interests. He was a member of 16th and Pile Church of Christ in Clovis.
He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; three brothers, Homer, Edgar and Ned; and a sister, Nora.
Survivors include many nieces and nephews.
Joan Clayton will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Melrose Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis.
Joe Pena, 95
Services: 2 p.m. Wednesday at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner.
Joe Pena, 95, of Fort Sumner, died Saturday, March 26, 2005, at Kaseman-Presbyterian Hospice in Albuquerque.
He was born on June 1, 1909, in Sapello, to the home of Nestor and Guadalupita Montoya Pena.
He married Clara Bustos in 1933 at Las Vegas, N.M. He worked as a civilian inspector at the Fort Sumner Air Base during WW II. He worked as a mechanic beginning with John Wood Ford in Fort Sumner and as shop foreman for Strong Chevrolet in Vaughn. He managed a theatre in Fort Sumner for several years, which he later purchased. In 1955 he built Joe Pena Automotive on West Sumner Avenue.
Family members said he loved mechanic work, was a self taught airplane pilot, enjoyed traveling and the outdoors.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Clara Pena; two brothers, Raymond and Phillip Pena; five sisters, Margaret Hernandez, Charlotte Pena, Lois Silva, Viola Mares, and Petra Pena.
Survivors include a daughter, Irene Kesler of Hilbert, Wis.; four sons, Joe Pena Jr. (and wife, Rose Ann) of Muldrow, Okla., Eddie Pena (Virginia) of Fort Sumner, Henry Pena (Lucy) of Lancaster, Calif., and Fred Pena (Pat) of York, Pa.; A; three brothers, Benny and Fele Pena, both of Muleshoe, and Tony Pena of Fort Sumner; 16 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
A rosary is scheduled at 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner.
Father Sotero A. Sena will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Fort Sumner Cemetery.
Pallbearers are his grandsons, Joe Casey, John, Gary, Michael, Joseph, and Robert Pena.
Visitation is scheduled from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday at Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner and from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner.
Arrangements are by Chavez Funeral Home of Fort Sumner.
Barbara Goddard
Services: 2 p.m. Wednesday at Wheeler Mortuary Chapel in Portales.
Barbara Mae Goddard, 66, of Chandler, Texas, died Friday, March 25, 2005, at her home.
She was born on Feb. 1, 1939, in Anson, Texas, to Holbert and Blanche Wallace Shirley.
She was a member of the Baptist Church. She was employed as a manager in the fish market at Albertson’s
She was preceded in death by a step-daughter, Jo Eileen Goddard; and a brother, Ronnie Shirley.
Survivors include her husband, Ray Goddard of Chandler, Texas; two sons, Bobby Carter of Oklahoma City and Danny Carter of Phoenix; a daughter, Dee Rutledge of Stanwood, Wash.; three step-children, Margaret Linstead, Gerald Goddard and Billie Knox, all of Portales; two brothers, Albert Shirley of Portales and Delman Shirley of Clovis; seven sisters, Alice Collins of Artesia, Arlene Griffith of Portales, Marie Hatch of Anchorage, Alaska, Wanda Reed of Clovis, Doris Brown of Chandler, Texas, Peggy Nichols of San Marcos, Texas, and Judy Clark of Del Rio, Texas; 18 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Rick, Wayne and Billy Frank Collins, Russell Roberts and Rocky Benard.
Honorary pallbearers are Walter, Carl and Dee Goddard, Chad Bullock and L.D. Clark.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
