Arlan Lamar Davis
Services: 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, 2005 at Portales Cemetery.
Mr. Arlan Lamar Davis, 52, of Arizona, died Sept. 23, 2005 in Mesa, Ariz.
He was born Oct. 26, 1952 in Clovis to Stella (Woodburn) and J. Willard Davis.
He was a self-employed general contractor. He farmed in the Grier Community, sold insurance, and was employed by Clovis Sign Company before he moved to Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his parents and four grandparents: Gardner Macray “Mack” Davis, Sally Vera (Osborn) Davis, Arthur Coffin and Willie Mae (Gilpin) Woodburn.
He is survived by four daughters, Jennifer Bozeman (and husband, Derek) of Idalou, Texas, Ami Schueler (Kevin) of Rhea, Texas, Nikki Dodd (Burl) of Portales, and Kylee Cain (Kyle) of Pleasant Hill; two grandchildren, Bailey and Landry Bozeman of Idalou; his mother, Stella Davis of Mesa, Ariz.; a sister, Caryn Lansford (Treece) of Chandler, Ariz.
Lonnie Mitchell will officiate at services.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Birdie Austin
Services: 10 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2005 at Restlawn Cemetery south of Portales.
Mrs. Birdie Austin, 100, of Portales, died Oct. 20, 2005 in Clovis.
She was born July 29, 1905 in Buffalo, MO. to Mary and Ulysses Lane.
She grew up and attended school in Missouri. She married Glen Oren Austin on March 15, 1927 in Amarillo, Texas and moved to Rogers before moving to California. After two years, they returned and homesteaded near Ramon, then moved south of Portales. In 1959, they moved into Portales. Family members said she loved cooking, gardening, and quilting, and that she finished her last quilt at the age of 95.
She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, George, John, Charles, Harley and Joseph Lane; four sisters: Alice Lane, Sally Greene, Mattie Fenn, and Angie Sanford; a grandchild, Robert Glenn Austin; a great-grandchild, Stormie Davis; a son, Darrell Austin; a daughter-in-law, Beth Austin; and by her husband, Glen Austin.
She is survived by a son, Dorman Austin of Logan; a daughter-in-law, Wiley Jean Austin of Grants; six grandchildren: Jean James (and husband, Jay), Keith Austin (Michelle), Paula Lewis (Tom), Richard Austin, Tracy Davis, and Cody Coffey (Bristie); nine great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and several friends including two very special friends, Josie Hernandez and Charlotte Fuller.
The Rev. Wesley McAffee will officiate at services.
Honorary pallbearers are her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Victoria “Vicky” Pinson
Victoria “Vicky” Pinson, 68, of Vaughn died Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2005, at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis following an illness.
She was born April 26, 1937, to the home of Cleofes and Elvira Duran Rael. She attended schools in Vaughn.
She worked as a cook for the various restaurants in Vaughn for several years. She also worked at the State Capital in Santa Fe. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Vaughn and the Sacred Heart Society of Pinos Wells.
Family members said she loved to do embroidering, take care of her birds and she always volunteered to do catering for weddings and funerals.
She is preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Ramon Rael; and a sister, Mary Lou Rael.
She is survived by three sisters, Rose Mandragon and Mary Ann Viaza, both of Clovis, and Molly Valdez of Vaughn; a special friend, Inez Lopez of Vaughn; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and a host of relatives and friends.
Pallbearers were Kurt Reuterdahl, Eric Tenorio, Michael Anaya, Leo Rael, Leroy Rael and Manuel Samora.
Serving as honorary pallbearers were all her relatives and friends.
Arrangements are by Chavez Funeral Home of Santa Rosa.
Paublin R. Romero
Paublin R. Romero, 65, of Milagro died Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2005 at his residence.
He was born Aug, 8, 1939, in Pastura to Paublin and Cleotilde Armijo Romero. He was raised in Pastura and Milagro. He married Emma Martinez on Sept. 26, 1959, in Santa Rosa. He worked as a ranch hand. He was a horse trainer and a jockey. He worked at the Santa Fe Downs for several years.
Family members said he was a “water witcher” and had a gift for locating water underground.
He was preceded in death by his father; three sisters; Dora Garnand, Bennie Tapia and Lydia Encinias, a brother, Isidro Romero; and an infant brother and sister.
He is survived by his wife of Santa Rosa; a daughter, Joyce Romero of Chicago; his mother, Cleotilde Romero of Santa Rosa, three sisters; Rita Muniz (and husband, Leo) of Milagro, Soledad Saiz (Henry) of Fort Sumner, Joel Johnson (Bill) of Santa Rosa, five brothers, Pete Romero of Milagro, Trinidad Romero (Christine) of Santa Rosa, Greg Romero of Santa Rosa, Will Romero (Rhonda) of Herford, Leroy Bonney (Darlene) of Santa Rosa; a mother-in-law, Albina M. Martinez of San Ignacio, five brothers-in-law, Jose F.Martinez Jr. of San Ignacio, Roman Martinez (Odelia) of Santa Rosa, Jimmy Martinez (Marsha) of Albuquerque, Rudy Madrid (Martha) of Denver, Colo., Eli Madrid (Bea) of San Ignacio, Herman Martinez (Debbie) of Santa Rosa and Ted Martinez (Angie) of Santa Rosa; and a sister-in-law, Rose Galvan (Arthur) of Dallas, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and a host of realtives and friends.
Father Nick Nichols will officiate services.
Burial will follow at our Lady of Sorrows Cemetery also in Milagro.
Arrangments are by Chavez Funeral Home of Santa Rosa.
M.A. “Jeff” Miller
Services: Have been held.
M.A. “Jeff” Miller, 81, of Lubbock, died Saturday, Oct. 15, 2005, in Lubbock.
He was born Dec. 15, 1923, in Sweetwater, Okla. to Marion Arthur and Minerva Williams Miller. He married Flo Gillespie March 24, 1946, in Portales. He was a retired home builder and a member of Broadview Baptist Church in Lubbock.
Family members said he enjoyed restoring antique tractors and gardening.
He was preceded in death by a son, Steven Miller; two brothers; and three sisters.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Mark Miller (and wife, Lisa) of Lubbock and Ronald Miller (Irene) of Lakeland, Fla.; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
The Rev. Scott Malone officiated the service with the assistance of Roy Martin.
Burial took place at Resthaven Memorial Park in Lubbock.
The family suggests memorials be made to the Building Fund at Broadview Baptist church, 1302 N. Frankford, Lubbock, TX 79416.
Arrangements were by White Funeral Home of Lubbock.
Services: 2 p.m. Thursday at Wheeler Mortuary Chapel in Portales.
Mrs. Twila Smith
Mrs. Twila Smith, 78, died Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2005, at Laurel Plains Healthcare in Clovis.
She was born Aug. 14, 1927 in Billings, Mont., to Junie and Ora Johnson. She lived in Montana until she was 8 years old, when her family moved to Portales. In 1945, she wound the Maypole before graduating from Portales High School. She married Jimmy Smith Feb. 24, 1946.
They lived in Portales for one year before moving to Lovington. They lived there for four years before returning to Portales. She spent the majority of her life as a homemaker. She worked as a secretary and a bookkeeper before retiring to care for her mother. She was a member of Central Christian Church in Portales and Eastern Star.
Family members said she enjoyed crocheting and was known for making candy and candied sweet potatoes.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; four brothers, Graden, Wilbur F., Charles Wayne and an infant brother; and a sister, Gladys Silvira.
She is survived by a son, Larry Smith (and wife, Kathy) of Portales; three grandchildren, Kara Hollis (Troy), Kalith Smith (Abie) and Ryan Smith; and four great-grandchildren, Natalie, Rebecca, Joshua and Braden Hollis.
Kenneth Broad and Troy Hollis will officiate.
Burial will take place in Portales Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Kalith Smith, Ryan Smith, Dan Gould, Larry Smith, Dick Hood and Mike Stratton.
Honorary pallbearers are Troy, Kara, Natalie, Rebecca, Joshua and Braden Hollis, Abie Smith, Ivan Patman, Grace Fair and Shirlene Rogers.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Syble Moore
Services: 10 a.m. Wednesday at Third and Kilgore Church of Christ in Portales.
Mrs. Syble Moore, 92, of Portales, died Saturday, Oct. 15, 2005, at Heartland Continuing Care Center in Portales.
She was born July 15, 1913, in Derden, Texas, to Susan and George L. Blackshear.
She married Curtis Moore on Dec. 23, 1928, in Baileyboro, Texas. They moved to Portales in 1942. She worked as a substitute rural mail carrier as well as at the Christian jewelry store and Mallory furniture store.
Family members said he was an accomplished artist in oils and water colors, was a wonderful cook, and enjoyed fishing and playing Scrabble.
She was a member of the Third and Kilgore Church of Christ and the La Escallera Art Guild.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, three brothers, M.O. (Pete) Blackshear, N.C. (Dick) Blackshear and Floyd Blackshear; two sisters, Blanche Durham and Opal Gibbins; a grandson; a great-grandchild; two sons, Kenneth Moore and Dean Moore; a daughter-in-law, Byrna Dean Moore.
She is survived by a son, Leon Moore (and wife, Paula) of Las Cruces; a daughter-in-law, Helen Moore of Portales; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
David Bennett will officiate services.
Burial will take place in Portales Cemetery.
Pallbearers are her grandsons and great-grandsons.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Marie Adele Widdifield Jones Blythe
Services: 11 a.m. Tuesday at Peralta Memorial United Methodist Church in Peralta.
Marie Adele Widdifield Jones Blythe, 88, died Thursday, Dec. 15, at Kaseman Hospital in Albuquerque.
She was born Aug. 1, 1917, in Oakley, Kan., to Walter and Ida Widdifield.
She attended Eastern New Mexico University, where she had several roles in musical productions and traveled throughout the state as part of a choral group promoting ENMU. She was accepted to Julliard School of Music, but lacked financial means to attend.
She was preceded in death by her parents; seven brothers and sisters; her first husband, Art Jones; and her second husband, John Blythe.
Survivors include a son, Bob Jones of Bosque Farms; seven nieces and nephews, Richard Bertrand, Bob Bertrand, Gene Bertrand, Janice Bertrand Owen, Willa Lee Widdifield Cotton and Myrna Dee Widdifield Floyd.
Burial will take place at a private cemetery in the foothills east of the family residence in Peralta.
Arrangements are by Aspen Funeral Alternatives of Albuquerque.
Ethel Bradley-Ray
Services: Have been held.
Ethel Bradley-Ray, 91, of Hamilton, Texas, died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005, in Hamilton.
She was born Oct. 25, 1914, in Purdy, Okla., to John and Belle Welch Beach. She married Jack Colbert Bradley in 1934. She married Forrest Ray in 1987.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Jack Bradley; daughter, Kay Bradley; and husband, Forrest Ray.
Survivors include sons Jim Bradley (and his wife, Betty) of Weatherford, Texas, Bob Bradley (Edith) of Clovis, Jack Bradley (Eilenna) of El Paso, Texas; daughter, Linda Catoe (Alex) of Hamilton, Texas; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Arrangements were by Riley Funeral Home of Hamilton, Texas.
Melvin Garner
Services: 10 a.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church of Roswell.
Melvin Garner, 70, of Roswell, died Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005, at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center in Roswell.
He was born Nov. 13, 1935, in Causey to Amon D. “Bud” and Ella Gumm Garner. He graduated from Causey High School in 1953 and attended Eastern New Mexico University in Portales. He served his country in the Army Reserve from 1958-1964. He married Betty Davis Garner on June 6, 1959, in Portales. He had been a Roswell resident for 14 years.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church where he enjoyed adult Sunday school class and their retreats to Angel Fire, family members said. He had been a commercial plumber until his retirement.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife; son, Jay Dean Garner (and his wife, Doris) of Amarillo; daughter, Tamara Richardson (Ken) of Roswell; brother, Roger Wayne Garner of Missouri; sister, Marcel Merrick of Causey; and four grandchildren, Jared and Kayla Richardson and Troy and Rylee Garner.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Ministries in Roswell or the American Diabetes Association, 2625 Pennsylvania NE, No. 225, Albuquerque, NM 87110.
Arrangements are under the direction of LaGrone Funeral Chapel.
Howard Jasper
Services: 2 p.m. Monday at Wheeler Mortuary Chapel.
Howard Jasper, 92, of Portales, died Friday, Dec. 16, 2005, at Heartland Continuing Care Center.
He was born April 23, 1913, in Gasoline, Texas, to Frances and William H. Jasper.
His family homesteaded in Elida and he grew up there; graduating from Elida High School. Shortly after finishing school, he moved to Portales. He worked for the Texaco distributor and then for the Portales Lumber Company before going to work as a machinist at Cannon Air Force Base. He worked in Civil Service at the base until his retirement in the late 1970s. He was a longtime member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellow.
Family members said he enjoyed gardening and ranching. He also liked going to auctions and playing dominos.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Burris Jasper; son, William Dale Jasper; a grandchild; and by his wife, Estelle who died in 1997.
Survivors include sons, Harry Jasper (and his wife, Darlene) of Tahachapi, Calif. and Michael Jasper (Cindy) of Armona, Calif.; step-son, Bob Davis (Anne) of Tucson, Ariz.; step-daughter, Wanda Harrison (Bronson) of Tucson, Ariz.; 13 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.
Rev. Walter Huber will officiate.
Burial will take place at Portales Cemetery.
Family members will serve as pallbearers.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Carol Barela
Services: 7 p.m. today at St. Helen Catholic Church in Portales.
Carol Barela, 41, of Portales, died Monday, Dec. 12, 2005, at her home in Portales.
She was born Sept. 22, 1964, in Portales, to Aurelia and Frank Barela.
She grew up in Portales and graduated from high school in 1982. She worked at Alco for 16 years. She also worked as a checker at IGA. In 1999 she went to work at the local Wal-Mart store. In 2002 her health deteriorated to a point that she could no longer work.
Family members said she had a lifelong love of music of all types.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include a sister, Lydia Barela of Portales; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Helen Catholic Church.
Father Tobin Hitt will officiate.
Burial will take place in Portales Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers are her cousins.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Maria Casaus
Services: 7 p.m. in the Wheeler Mortuary Chapel in Portales.
Maria Casaus of Portales died Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2005, at University Medical Center in Lubbock.
She was born in Los Ojitos to Felicita and Abram Salazar.
She grew up in Puerta de Luna. In 1940, she married Justo Casaus in Santa Rosa. They made their home in Fort Sumner, Sudan, Texas, and Roswell before moving to Portales in 1956, where she lived the remainder of her life.
After the death of her daughter in 1969, she and her husband reared their grandchildren, Wayne and Diane.
Family member said she enjoyed crocheting and attending the activities and dances at the Portales Senior Citizens.
She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Abram, Christian, Sotero and Roberto Salazar; three sisters, Otilia Lucero, Olympia Casaus and Alicia Flores; two grandchildren, Johnny Ray Casaus and Fabian Casaus; a daughter, Ruby Casaus; and her husband.
Survivors include a son, John Casaus (and wife, Priscilla) of Albuquerque; two grandsons, F. Wayne Garcia of Portales and Mario Casaus of Albuquerque; a granddaughter, Diane Gallegos of Portales; a husband, Ediniero of Portales; a great-grandchild, Kristen Ruby Gallegos of Portales; and a brother, Emilio Salazar of Portales.
A communion mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Saturday at St. Helen Catholic Church.
Deacon Mario Aguirre will officiate services.
Burial will take place in Puerta de Luna Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Roberto Lucero, Mike Lucero, Severo Lucero, Darren Ortega, Adam Gutierrez and Manuel Salazar Hill.
Honorary pallbearers are her family members and friends.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Carol Barela
Services: 7 p.m. Thursday at St. Helen Catholic Church in Portales.
Carol Barela, 41, of Portales, died Monday, Dec. 12, 2005, at her home in Portales.
She was born Sept. 22, 1964, in Portales, to Aurelia and Frank Barela.
She grew up in Portales and graduated from high school in 1982. She worked at Alco for 16 years. She also worked as a checker at IGA. In 1999 she went to work at the local Wal-Mart store. In 2002 her health deteriorated to a point that she could no longer work.
Family members said she had a lifelong love of music of all types.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include a sister, Lydia Barela of Portales; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 p.m. Friday at St. Helen Catholic Church.
Father Tobin Hitt will officiate.
Burial will take place in Portales Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers are her cousins.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
