Mike Cortese
Services: Have been held.
Mike Cortese, 88, of Albuquerque, died Friday, Aug. 15, 2003, at Lovelace Medical Center in Albuquerque.
He was born Oct. 12, 1914, in Fort Sumner, to Nick and Mary Muto Cortese. He graduated from Fort Sumner High School in 1936. He married Dorothy Erven on May 18, 1940. In 1946, he and two brothers, Joe and Ralph Cortese, purchased Valley Motor Co. He then lived in Colorado for a short time before making his home in Albuquerque in 1964. He was employed as a truck driver for Navajo Freight Lines and ABF Trucking Company until his retirement in 1980.
Family members said was an avid sports fan and loved his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Joe and Ralph Cortese; three sisters, Rose, Delia and Madeleine; and a grandson, Jarrod Mike Barfield.
Survivors include his wife; three children, Sherry Barfield (and husband, J.K.) of Texico, Mike Cortese (and wife, Regina) of Austin, Texas, Delynn Ratliff ( and husband, Eddie) of Edgewood; six grandchildren, James Barfield of Flagstaff, Ariz., Christi Edwards of Texico, Katherine Smeed of Dallas, Micha Adatto of New Orleans, Brent Ratliff of Albuquerque and Darin Ratliff of Yukon, Okla.; four sisters-in-law, Lib Cortese and Zela Cortese, both of Fort Sumner, Billie Erven of Canyon City, Colo., and Marie Rich of Florence, Colo.; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The Rev. Monty Leavell will officiate the services.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 600 Sumner Ave., Fort Sumner, NM 88119 or the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 180, Fort Sumner, NM 88119.
Chavez Funeral Home of Fort Sumner is handling arrangements.
Martiano Cortez
Services: Have been held.
Mr. Martiano Cortez, 66, of Albuquerque, died Tuesday, July 22, 2003, in Albuquerque.
He was born on Dec. 6, 1936, in Nale, Texas, to Gregorio and Antonia Cortez.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gregorio and Antonio; and his father-in-law and mother in law, Conrado and Juanita Mondragon.
He is survived by his wife, Amelia Cortez of Albuquerque; his children, Frank and Yolanda Cortez, Freddy and Tina Cortez, Margret and Terry Crossland, all of Clovis and Johnny and Vivian Cortez, Raymond Cortez, Connie Cortez, and Yvonne Cortez, all of Albuquerque; grandchildren, Freddy Garcia, Patricia Garcia, Jonathan Cortez, Daniella Cortez, Jason Crossland, Carmen Cortez, Felisha Cortez, Johnny Cortez, Rachel Cortez, and Marcelino Gallardo; great-grandchildren, Juliana, Reyna, Lorena, and Miranda; brothers, Domingo and Linda Cortez of Reno, Nev., Felix and Lisa Cortez of Lubbock, and Tony Cortez of Clovis; sisters, Lupe and Gene Montoya Jr., of Clovis and Nancy and Ben Tenorio of Carson, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place.
Arrangements are by Direct Funeral Services of Albuquerque.
JoAnn Coughenour
Services: Have been held.
JoAnn Coughenour, 72, of Cassville, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 19, 2003, in Aurora, Mo.
She was born on May 3, 193l, in Seymour, Texas, to Walter Lee Nall and Maude Nall.
Her family moved to New Mexico when she was 3, after her father was killed in an accident. She grew up in Clovis and was a 1949 graduate of Clovis High School. She married Francis Coughenour on June 28, 1952. In 1953 they moved to the Cassville area where she made her home for the past 50 years. Family members said she loved her family and people.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her step-father, M.R. Thomas; and three brothers, Dwain, Melvyn and Darryl Thomas.
Survivors include a son, Brent Coughenour (and wife, Angie) of Parkman, Wyo.; two sisters, Wylodene Morgan of Alamogordo and Shirley Maize of Clovis; and two granddaughters, Rachel and Amanda Coughenour of Parkman.
Cremation has taken place.
Burial was at Jenkins, Mo.
Arrangements were by Springfield Mortuary Service of Springfield, Mo.
J.D. "Red" Cox
J.D. "Red" Cox, 77, of Lubbock, died Thursday, June 19, 2003, at his home.
He was born Aug. 27, 1925, in Elida, to Sally Ann and J.D. "Dory" Cox.
His mother died when he was 2 weeks old. He was raised by his grandmother until the age of 13. When his grandmother died he went to live with his father. He left home at 17 to start driving trucks for long haul jobs. He drove trucks cross country until he retired in 1988. He married Gwen Connelly on May 27, 1977, in Juarez, Mexico. Family members said he enjoyed going to flea markets where bought and resold pans, cowboy boots and a few pocket knives.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister; a stepson, Kenneth Connelly; and a grandchild.
Survivors include his wife; a stepson, Gene Connelly of Sudan, Texas; a stepdaughter, Zelma Sisemore of Hale Center, Texas; a brother, Jim ?Happy? Cox of Mountainview, Wyo.; and 13 grandchildren.
Services have been held.
Scott P. Reeves will officiate.
Honorary pallbearers will be his friends.
Wheeler Mortuary of Portales is handling arrangements.
Michael Irving Craig
Services: Have been held.
Michael Irving Craig, 49, of Clovis, died Sunday, Oct. 26, 2003, at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque.
He was born on Sept. 27, 1954, in Houston, Texas, to Henry and Francis Wisenbaker Craig.
He married Jayne Wiseman on Sept. 10, 1977, at Cannon Air Force Base. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Cannon and then returned to Clovis in July of 1998 when he went to work for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad as a welder. He was an avid golfer and a member of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way.
Survivors include his wife; three sisters, Sandra Sakallah, Shirley Henry and Kathleen Craig; six brothers, Robert Craig, Daniel Etie, Troy Montgomery, Dwight Montgomery, Timothy Montgomery and Lee Ewing.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Ramona Ewing; and a brother, Roger Montgomery.
Kenneth Quaid will officiate the services.
Cremation will take place.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Liver Foundation, "Hepatitis Fund for the Cure", 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 603, New York 10038-4810
Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis.
Potter Craig
Services: Have been held.
Mr. Potter Craig, 93, of Clovis, a retired cattleman, rancher and order buyer, died Monday, June 3, 2003, in Clovis.
He was born on Jan. 28, 1910, in Quitaque, Texas, to Thomas and Ethmel Potter Craig.
He was a member of the Union Masonic Lodge No. 4 in Wagon Mound, St. James Episcopal Church in Clovis, New Mexico Cattle Growers and the Elks Lodge. He married Wahneeta Boyd on July 15, 1934, in Miami, N.M.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and two brothers, Dan and Fred.
He is survived by a daughter, Chanee Abbott (and husband, Dave); a son, Tom Craig (and wife, Blaine); a sister, Billie Shoemaker; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Father John Rollinson will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens in Clovis.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis.
Craven, Billy
Mr. Billy Gene “Santa” Craven, 70, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, April 22, 2003, in Amarillo.
He was born on May 26, 1932, in Wellington, Texas.
He moved to Amarillo in 1961 from Clovis. He served in the Army for two years and the Air Force for four years. He was a veteran of the Korean War. He married Shirley Anne Temple in 1955. He worked for the City of Amarillo for several years as a heavy equipment operator. He retired from Medley Material Handling in 1978. After his retirement he served as Santa Claus for more than 15 years at Western Plaza. He married Nancy Doose in 1988 in Reno, Nev.
He is survived by his wife of the home; two daughters, Renee Beth Wineinger and Koenia Annette Craven, both of Amarillo; two sons, Charles Don Craven and Larry Gene Craven, both of Amarillo; a stepson, Rex Burch of Vallejo, Calif.; a brother, Jimmy Craven of Clovis; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Services were held at Rector Funeral Home Chapel in Amarillo.
Jimmy Craven and Johnny Tracy officiated.
Military rites were by the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 26.
Burial was at Mission Garden of Memories in Clovis.
Arrangements were by Rector Funeral Home of Amarillo.
Alfred Crawford
Services: Have been held.
Mr. Alfred Crawford, 93, of Portales died Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003, at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis.
He was born on July 21, 1910, in Peacock, Texas, in Stonewall County, to Mary Elizabeth and A.A. Crawford.
He came to New Mexico on horseback in 1926, picking cotton along the way to earn money. He met Ruth Blasingale while he was picking cotton in Portales. A year later he went back home where he stayed a year before deciding to work his way back to Portales. He married Ruth Blasingale on June 10, 1932, in Portales. He drove a truck in the area buying and selling hay and broom corn. He was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Portales. Family members said he was a good domino player, and enjoyed the fellowship and fun of the Senior Citizens Centers where he played dominoes and danced.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Floyd, Tom and Dick Crawford; four sisters, Mae Joiner, Sis Lay, Ida Smith and Lula Crawford; a son, Alford Crawford; and by his wife, Ruth.
Survivors include two sons, Robert Crawford (and wife, Joyce) of Portales and Ray Crawford (Shizu) of Spring Valley, Calif.; a daughter, Bettye Buller (Camon) of Farmington; 10 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
The Rev. Jim Maxwell and Glen Fields will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Scott Crawford, Ken Carlson, Glen Fields, Lupe Marquez, J.R. Tivis and Lloyd Banks.
Honorary pallbearers are all of his grandchildren and the members of the Portales and Melrose Senior Citizens.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Eva Conner Crawford
Services: Have been held.
Eva Conner Crawford, 98, of Clovis, died Thursday, Feb. 12, 2004, at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis.
She was born on Nov. 29, 1905, in Ratcliff, Texas.
She married William C. Crawford on Aug. 4, 1923, in Portales. She had been a resident of Clovis for more than 80 years. She worked as a salesperson at the Blue Room and at Allene’s Gift Shop until she retired. She was a charter member of the Kingswood United Methodist Church and the Clyde Campbell’s Circle.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and two brothers, Joe Mack Conner and Fred T. Conner.
Survivors include a son, Dr. William C. Crawford (and wife, Dodie) of Clovis; a sister, Mary Ruth Leib of Amarillo; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
The Rev. Farrell Odom will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Mission Garden of Memories in Clovis.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Clovis.
Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis.
Ross Creamer
Services: Have been held.
Mr. A. Ross Creamer, 82, of Portales, died Thursday, Aug. 28, 2003, at Baylor Hospital in Garland, Texas.
He was born on July 21, 1921, in Dickens, Texas, to Joseph Wesley and Winnie Battle Creamer.
He married Marie South on Feb. 2, 1941, in Portales. He was a veteran of World War II, serving from 1942 to 1945. He landed at Normandy on D-Day and served in the US Army’s 28th Division known as the “Bloody Buckets.” He worked for 45 years in the wholesale and retail dry goods business. He served and became friends with many clothing and fabric retailers across the southwest. He was a member of the First Baptist Church since 1959.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Edith Hayter and Doris Porter.
He is survived by his wife; four daughters, Kathryn Long of San Angelo, Texas, Marcy James (and husband, Walt) of Garland, Texas, Teri Glisson (Dale) of Lavon, Texas and Melissa Blair (Cleve) of Fort Worth, Texas; five grandchildren, Joe Long of Lubbock, Lisa Velasquez of Canyon, Texas, Chris Long of San Angelo, Texas, and Mike and Sarah James, both of Garland, Texas; two great-grandchildren, Daynan Ross Romero and Katrina Long; two brothers, Keith Creamer of Wilcox, Ariz., and Loyd Creamer of Lubbock; two sisters, Jo Nelle Jordan of Los Lunas and Beth Sikes of Lubbock; 23 nieces and nephews.
Philip Fike will officiate the services with the assistance of Dale Glisson.
Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Eldin Cooper, Winston Berry, Larry Teal, Charlie Crane, Melvin Littlejohn and Edward Lee Miller.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Maggie Crespin
Services: Have been held.
Maggie Crespin, 89, of Clovis died Friday, Jan. 30, 2004, at Laurel Ridge Golden Age Care and Rehabilitation in Clovis.
She was born on May 20, 1914 in Alamosa to Remijo and Leonore Chacon Bargas. She married Facundo Crespin in 1941 in Logan. She came to Clovis in 1954, and worked in the kitchen at Cook’s Restaurant.
Survivors include three sons, Ralph Maldonado of Tucumcari, Albert (and wife Sylvia) Crespin of Clovis and Fred (Julia) Crespin of San Bernardino, Calif.; a daughter, Yvonne Hasham of Los Angeles; nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a son, Jimmy Ray Crespin, and a brother, Christobal Bargas.
The Rev. Glen Jarman will officate at the service.
Burial will be in Logan Cemetery.
Pallbearers include Anthony Crespin, Andrew Crespin, Jonathan Collins, Robert Crespin, Fred Crespin and Albert Crespin.
Arrangements are under the direction of Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis.
Donald Crockett
Services: 1 p.m. Saturday at Portales Cemetery.
Mr. Donald R. Crockett, 67, died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2003, at Life Care Center in Farmington.
He was born Aug. 5, 1936, in Comanche, Okla., to Virginia and Eddie Crockett.
He grew up in Portales. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1960 and his master’s degree in 1966. He taught in Roswell for 27 years. He went on to become a leader in the Roswell Education Association, serving as Area Representative, vice president and president. He went on staff for National Education Association-New Mexico in 1988. He had previously been a part-time organizer. He retired from the organization earlier this year.
Family members said he wanted to be remembered as a fair person who worked diligently on behalf of all the members of NEA-NM. They recall he said his most memorable success was in college when he hit a golf ball 422 yards on the No. 2 hole on the Portales County Club and added that while growing up, he and his brother loved playing pranks such as hiding under bleachers and grabbing people by the ankles.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.
Survivors include a nephew, Shane Crockett of Portales; a sister-in-law, Melivna Crockett of Portales; and a number of cousins.
Wheeler Mortuary of Portales is handling arrangements.
Imanuel Cross
Services: No services will be held.
Mr. Imanuel Don Cross, 70, of San Antonio, Texas, died Thursday, April 24, 2003.
He was born on July 30, 1932, in Dessark, Ark., to Clara and Andy Cross.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, LaDonna Cross of Clovis.
He is survived by two daughters, Donna Autry of Arkansas and Krystala Cross Linder of San Antonio; two sons, Lonnie Cross and Stanley Cross, both of Ruidoso; two grandchildren, Brennin Cross of Ruidoso and Jenny Kates of Nashville, Tenn.; two sisters; and a brother.
Mr. Cross donated his body to UT Health Science Center in San Antonio.
HELEN CROWNOVER
Services: Have been held.
Helen Joyce Crownover, 79, of Fort Sumner, died Monday, Oct. 7, 2003, at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis.
She was born on July 20, 1924, in Fort Sumner to Walter and Stella O’Neal Wright.
She was raised and attended schools in Fort Sumner. She married E. J. Crownover on Oct. 12, 1940, in Santa Rosa. They made their home in the Fort Sumner valley. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner since 1953. She was a loving wife, mother, grannie, great-grannie and a friend. She spent many years caring for sick and elderly friends and family members in the community.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Charles Wright; two sisters-in-law, Nancy Wright and Pauline Wright.
Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Jo Ann Schumaker (and husband, Ron) of Surprise, Ariz. and Judy Hinde (Tom) of Estancia; two sons, Alan Crownover (Dee) of Estancia and Russell Crownover (Nancy) of Fort Sumner; a brother, Denny Wright of Roswell; 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren along with several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
The Rev. Jim Peabody will officiate the services.
Pallbearers will be Bruce Dickerman, Paul and David Husler, Eric Crownover, John Olivarez, Jake Gallegos, Tim, Stan and Steve Hall, Lawrence Borrego, Bill Verkest, Terry Schumaker and Jay Adkins.
Visitation is scheduled from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. Thursday at Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 180, Fort Sumner, NM 88119. Arrangements are by Chavez Funeral Home of Fort Sumner.
Ruth Crume
Services: Have been held.
Mrs. Ruth Crume, 89, of Portales, an Elida school teacher, died Wednesday, May 28, 2003, at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock.
She was born on Dec. 10, 1913, in Mullen, Texas, to Bamma and the Rev. R.W. Bynum.
She was raised in central and east Texas. She graduated from high school in Avery, Texas. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern New Mexico University. She taught school at DeKalb, Texas for four years, Portales for four years and then in Elida for 30 years. She married W.J. “Bill” Crume on Dec. 27, 1940, in Gatesville, Texas. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Portales Woman’s Club, Rebekah Lodge, Retired Teachers Association and AARP.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Harmon, Natt and Newman Bynum; two sisters, Etta Crempin and Verba Harris; two nieces; five nephews; and her husband.
She is survived by a stepson, Jim Meadows of Albuquerque; five step-grandchildren; several step-great-grandchildren; a sister, Vida Grimshaw of Clovis; two nieces, Melba Foerster and Gayle Bynum; and six nephews, Bruce and Steve Bynum, George Noel and Thaddeus Grimshaw, Verna Crempin and Billy Bob Harris.
The Revs. Garrett Grimshaw and Steve Smith will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Elida Cemetery.
Visitation is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Wheeler Mortuary Chapel in Portales.
Pallbearers will be Ronald and Fred Anthony, Jake Howard, Luke Nichols, Jimmy Dale Ward and Mike Barnard.
Honorary bearers will be her former students.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Calvary Baptist Church.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Althea Culpepper
Services: Have been held.
Mrs. Althea L. Wheeler Culpepper, 90, of Clovis, died Friday, Aug. 22, 2003, at her home.
She was born Jan. 31, 1913, in Munday, Texas, to Robert A. and Cordie E. Sargent Lowe.
She graduated from Clovis High School in 1930. She attended Weatherford College in Texas and New Mexico Highlands. She graduated from Eastern New Mexico University in 1958. She was a teacher in the Grady Schools and Clovis Municipal Schools for more than twenty years. She was a member of First Church of the Nazarene in Clovis.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Curtis Culpepper and the Rev. V.S. Wheeler; a daughter, Carolyn S. Burch; an infant daughter; and two infant sons.
She is survived by a daughter, Patricia Kralicek (and husband, Max) of Clovis; five grandchildren, Donna and Curtis Kralicek, both of Denver, Latisha Brothers (Zane) and Rusty Aucutt (Renell), all of Clovis, Deanna Vardeman (Cody) of Cape Girardeau, Mo.; four great grandchildren, Carissa and Dakota Grummer, Garrett and Alexa Aucutt; a brother, Doyle Lowe of Clovis; a sister, Vela Gwin of Hemet, Calif.; a nephew; and a niece.
The Rev. J. Vaughn Gossman and Gerald Woods will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Grady Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Curtis Kralicek, Rusty Aucutt, Zane Brothers, Jim Lowe, Cody Vardeman and Darwin Culpepper.
Memorial contributions may be made to Plains Regional Hospice, 2217 Dillon, Clovis, NM 88101.
Arrangements are being handled by Steed-Todd Funeral Home.
