Christena Shirley
Services: Have been held.
Mrs. Christena Shirley, 78, died Thursday, June 5, 2003, at her home near Portales.
She was born May 1, 1925, in Post, Texas, to Elizabeth Jewel and Levi Floyd Joiner.
She moved to Portales when she was 3 years old. When she was 6, she moved to the Liberty community. In 1935, she moved to Fort Sumner. She married G.R. Shirley on Dec. 6, 1943, in Santa Rosa. She made her home in Fort Sumner and Portales until 1969 when she made Portales her permanent home. She was a member of Brazos Street Church of Christ. Family members said she enjoyed cooking, sewing and gardening.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Bobby Joiner.
Survivors include her husband, G.R. “Garland: Shirley; four sons, Jim (and wife, Betty) Shirley and Ronny (and wife, Barbara) Shirley, all of Portales, Gailen Shirley of Clovis and Steve (and wife, Linda) Shirley of Hagerman; two daughters, Nita (and husband, Herschell) Nixon and Judy Shirley, all of Portales; 17 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ken Joiner of Irving, Texas, and Murrel Joiner of Clovis; two sisters, Virginia Knepp of Canyon, Texas, and Alene Martin of Clovis; a sister-in-law, Marquetta Joiner of Pampa, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, “adopted” children and grandchildren and lots of great friends.
Dee Teal, Wayne Baker and Bud Jones officiated the services.
Burial was at Portales Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Cody Shirley, Bill Bevel, Shane Shirley, Austin Hall, Sammy Shirley, Gailen Shirley, Bryan Nixon, Bobby Nixon, Kris Nixon, Bruce Nixon, Keith Nixon, Adam Peacock and Frank Levacy.
Honorary bearers were her church family along with her doctors.
Memorial contributions may be made to an account established in her memory at First Bank.
Wheeler Mortuary of Portales handled arrangements.
Reba Shirley
Services: Have been held.
Reba Shirley, 78, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2003, at Laurel Plains Nursing Center in Clovis.
She was born Aug. 27, 1924, in Lockney, Texas, to Vera and Clarence Hullum.
She grew up in Portales and graduated from Portales High School in 1942. In May 1943, she traveled to California and married Bud Shirley on May 7. While her husband was serving overseas, she worked as a telephone operator. At the close of World War II, they moved back to Portales. In 1951 they moved to Kaney, Kan., where they lived until 1953. They returned to Floyd to make their home. She and her husband operated a dairy for 27 years — family members said they were never able to take vacations together as one of them had to do the milking. In 1985, she moved to Portales. Until only a few weeks ago, she remained active in the Floyd Quilters. She was a member of the Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Pete Hullum; and by her husband, Bud Shirley, who died Oct. 13, 1979.
Survivors include a daughter, Claryce (and husband, Tom Ray) Gainer of Floyd; two foster daughters, Dottie Tipton of Floyd and Sandy Wilson of Houston; a grandson, Jason Potter (Amanda) of Lubbock; and a great-grandson, Brantley Potter.
The Rev. Garlan Hughes will officiate the services.
Burial will be in Floyd Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Ronny Tipton, Johnny Smith, Hershel Essary, Mark Madsen, Jim Wood and Jim Duke.
Honorary pallbearers will be Mary Goff, Winifred West, Louise Thetford, Pat Griffith, Adele Lovorn, Alice Gossett, Betty Gossett, Shelly Barnett, Bobbie Nall, Dena Davis and Lois Tivis.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Floyd Quilters, care of Mary Goff, 710 S. Roosevelt Road AO, Elida, NM 88116.
Wheeler Mortuary of Portales is handling arrangements.
Harry Showers
Services: Have been held.
Harry Showers, 61, of Clovis, a fork lift operator, died Sunday, May 2, 2004, at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis.
He was born on March 4, 1943, in Detroit.
Family members said he enjoyed fishing and watching race cars.
He attended Calvary Tabernacle Church in Clovis.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Norm; and two nephews, Jimmy and Harry.
Survivors include a daughter, April Bishop (and husband, Rocky) of Clovis; two stepsons, Leroy Bloom (Tammy) of Michigan and Larry Sivits; two stepdaughters, Penny Brabon and Barbara Bass; four sisters; a granddaughter, Haley Bishop; two nephews; three nieces; a sister-in-law; and a companion, Donna Thompson.
The Rev. Lawrence Thompson will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Mission Garden of Memories in Clovis.
Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis.
L.F. Silva
Services: Have been held.
L.F. “Chano” Silva, 85, of Fort Sumner, died Wednesday, May 26, 2004, at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis.
He was born on Dec. 20, 1918, in Fort Sumner, to Jesus and Margaret Spitz Silva.
He was raised and attended schools at Fort Sumner. He married Lois Pena in 1937 in Fort Sumner. He worked for the New Mexico State Highway Department and Bureau of Reclamation. He served in the U.S. Marines from June 19, 1944, until his honorable discharge on Jan. 2, 1946. He was wounded at Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands on May 7, 1945 and received the Purple Heart medal. Family members said his past time was visiting with tourists and visitors to Fort Sumner. He was a local authority on the history of Billy The Kid and his grandfather was a pallbearer at the funeral of Billy The Kid.
He was preceded in death by his wife; two infant sisters; an infant brother; and his parents.
Survivors include a daughter, Dolores Drake of Fort Sumner; a son, Bobby Silva of Roswell; three grandsons, Tom Drake of Clovis, Ray Drake of Lake Sumner and Brian Drake of La Lande; six great-grandchildren; and a cousin raised as a sister, Cesaria Aragon of Albuquerque.
Sister Teresita Garcia will officiate the services.
Arrangements are by Chavez Funeral Home of Fort Sumner.
Glendell Simmonds
Services: Have been held.
Mrs. Glendell Alice Simmonds, 79, of Clovis, a receptionist/secretary, died Tuesday, July 29, 2003, at her home.
She was born on Aug. 18, 1923, in Wellington, Texas, to Loren and Glendora Gillespie Trout.
She married Frank Simmonds on Feb. 7, 1941, in Mountainair, where they were members of the First Church of the Nazarene. They settled in Clovis in 1943. She worked as a receptionist/secretary for Dr. Thomas for 30 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband; a son, Loren Simmonds (and wife, Sherri) of Lynnwood, Wash.; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
The Rev. Gerald Woods will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens in Clovis.
Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis.
AnnaKay Justice
Services: Have been held.
Miss AnnaKay Justice, three months and 24 days, of Aztec, died Thursday, July 24, 2003, at Presbyterian Medical Center in Albuquerque.
She was born on March 31, 2003, in Farmington, to James “Jay” and Amy Justice.
She is survived by her parents; a brother, Ashlee of Aztec; two sisters, Jamie and Jessica Rae, both of Aztec; grandparents, Jim and Gail Justice of Flora Vista and Rex and Marsha Crook of Los Alamos; great-grandparents, Don and Venita Crook of Clovis and Vernon and Marge Greenlee of Aztec; and a great-great-grandmother, Sallie Mae Crook of Clovis.
Burial was at Greenlawn Cemetery in Farmington.
Pallbearers were Jay and Ashlee Justice, Rex Crook and Jim Justice.
Arrangements were by Alternative Society of Farmington.
Ethel Simmons
Services: A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.
Ethel Mae Simmons, 70, a homemaker, died Friday, Aug. 22, 2003, at Plains Regional Medical Center.
She was born Feb. 20, 1933, in Coshocton, Ohio, to Harvey and Mary Jane Hyde VanSickle.
She moved to Clovis three months ago to be near her dauther, Kathleen.
She is preceded in death by her parents and two sons, Thomas and Kenneth Simmons.
Survivors include two sons, Harry Simmons of Houston and Nathan Simmons of Orlando, Fla.; three daughters, Kathleen Scott of Clovis, Martha Sawyer of Spring, Texas, and Joyce Kressley of Houston; 14 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place.
Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis is handling arrangements.
Helen M. Simms
Services: Have been held.
Helen M. Simms, 89, of Clovis, New Mexico died Friday, Oct. 31, 2003.
Helen was born June 10, 1914 in Marlow, Okla., to R. A. and Effie Mitchell. They moved to Panhandle, Texas, in 1920. She married G. H. “Cotton” Simms on October 23, 1935. She graduated from Panhandle High School in 1931 and attended West Texas State College.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. at Central Baptist Church with Pastor Joseph Vest officiating.
Simms organized and founded the Ladies Hospital Auxiliary at the Clovis hospital and served on the hospital board. She was a life member of P.E.O., a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, and volunteer for United Way of Clovis. She helped develop Colonial Park and Golf Course. She was a member of Central Baptist Church for more than 60 years, teaching numerous Sunday School classes.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, E. B. “Lefty” Mitchell of Amarillo and Joe Mitchell of Pampa.
Survivors include her husband; two sons, Mickey (and wife Irene) of Clovis, Jim (and wife Freeda) of Amarillo; six grandchildren, Gerald Simms of Clovis, Jane Gillette of Allen, Texas, J. Fred Simms of Clovis, Mitchell Simms of Clovis, Lee Simms of Cleveland, Ohio, Gary Simms of Celina, Texas; seven great grandchildren, Gerron, Jaymi, Paden and Garret Simms of Clovis, Jacob Gillette of Allen, Texas, Lila and Benjamin Simms of Cleveland, Ohio; a nephew, Greg Mitchell of Amarillo and a niece, Debra Ballou of Amarillo.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers that memorials be made to the PRMC Auxiliary or the Central Baptist Church Building Fund.
Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home.
Evelyn Simpson
Services: Have been held.
Mrs. Evelyn “Dinger” Simpson, 85, of the Bethel area, died Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003, at the home of her daughter in Jal.
She was born on Jan. 19, 1918, in Portales, to Mary and Benjamin T. Miller.
She grew up in the Bethel community, working with the rest of her family on the farm and dairy. While she was attending high school she drove the school bus. After graduating from high school, she continued to drive the bus and attended classes at Eastern New Mexico Junior College in Portales. She married Melvin Simpson on April 18, 1942. Family members said she was a devoted wife and mother who enjoyed quilting, dancing and painting.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, B.F. Miller; four sisters, Juanita Onstott, Mary Turner, Clara Rector and Hazel Walker; and by her husband.
Survivors include four sons, Mel Simpson (and wife, Glenda) of Grants, Mark Simpson (Christine) of Skiatook, Okla., Mike Simpson and Howard Simpson (Teresa), all of Portales; three daughters, Meloy Hill (Buddy) of Jal, and Mary Jane Simpson and Clarene Mead, both of Portales; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Lee “Hoss” Miller of Portales; four sisters, Essie Belle Helm of Lincoln, Ark., Opal Parker of Las Lunas, B-Etta Campbell of Alamogordo and Maxine Smith of Elida.
Chaplain Russell Hill will officiate the services.
Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren, nephews and her many friends.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Jose “Joe” F. Sisneros
Services: Have been held.
Jose “Joe” F. Sisneros, 53, of Clovis died Monday, Feb. 9, 2004, at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis.
He was born on Aug. 21, 1950, in Vaughn to Napoleon and Josefita Luna Sisneros.
He worked at ENMRSH with wood working and yard maintenance.
He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe and American Legion Post 25. Family members said he loved playing bingo and going to Foxy’s Drive Inn. He was in the Special Olympics where he won the Final in Track in New York City.
He was preceded in death by his mother; and a sister, Mary Francis Sisneros.
Survivors include his father; three brothers, Andy Sisneros (and wife, Helen) of Vaughn, Manuel Sisneros of Minneapolis, Minn., and Ricky Sisneros (Margie) of Clovis; five sisters, Thelma Villa (Eddie), Lisa Apodaca (Jimmy) and Mabel Lucero, all of Clovis, Nora Yodis (Frank) of Placitas and Cynthia Agbulos (Deacon Luis) of Guam; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
A rosary is scheduled at 7 p.m. Friday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Clovis.
The Rev. Sotero Sena will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Vaughn.
Pallbearers will be Andy, Manuel, Ricky and Robert Sisneros, Frank Yodis and Jimmy Apodaca.
Honorary pallbearers are Eddie Villa and Carols Sisneros.
Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis.
Donna M. Cooper Sisson
Services: Have been held.
Donna M. Cooper Sisson, 60, of Lubbock, died Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2003, in Lubbock.
She was born July 21, 1943, in Springfield, Ill., to Roy and Lorraine Alice Garecht. She was raised in Needles, Calif., and had lived in Clovis for 29 years. She married Dan Sisson June 16, 2000, in Clovis.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and her step-father, Lotty R. Peebles Sr.
Survivors include her husband, Dan; a son, Tom Cooper of Centerton, Ark.; two daughters, Tina Hamlett of Texarkana and Lori Baird of Birmingham, Ala.; two sisters, Shirley Gilbert of Aberdeen, Md., and Sherry Lovelady of Aurora, Colo.; three brothers, Chuck Garecht of Needles, and Lotty R. Peebles Jr. and Carl D. Peebles, both of Ocala, Fla.; and six grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice of Lubbock, P.O. Box 53276, Lubbock, TX 79453, or to a favorite charity.
The Rev. Joel Perez will officiate at the service.
Burial will follow in the Abernathy Cemetery under the direction of Abell Funeral Home of Abernathy, Texas.
Valda Skeen
Services: Have been held.
Mrs. Valda Lea Skeen, 91, of Bovina, a seamstress, died Sunday, June 1, 2003, at the Muleshoe Area Medical Center.
She was born on March 17, 1912, in Hedley, Texas, to Henry and Leah Grant Forgerson.
She moved from Texas to Texico where she attended school. She married William Clay Skeen and moved to Clovis. She later moved to Bovina to be with her daughter after her husband’s death. She was a member Church of the Brethren in Clovis.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Clarence and Herbert; and a sister, Beatrice.
She is survived by a daughter, Marie Ward of Bovina; a sister, Lucille Feigenshuh of Pico Rivera, Calif.; a granddaughter, Kay Smyth of Olton, Texas; two grandsons, Jerry and Ronnie Ward, both of Clovis; eight great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
Burial will be at Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens in Clovis.
Pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons.
Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis.
BESSIE SLACK
Services: Have been held.
Mrs. Bessie Slack, 94, of Portales, died Monday, Oct. 20, 2003, at Heartland Continuing Care Center in Portales.
She was born on Jan. 18, 1909, in Elida, to Sarah and Frank Miller.
She lived in Elida until 1957. She married Wallace Slack on March 16, 1930. They moved to Portales in 1957. She worked at Portales Drug as a waitress and cook until 1977. She was a Jehovah’s Witnesses in Portales for many years. Family members said she enjoyed crocheting, making afghans for as long as her hands would permit and painting landscapes, several of which grace family members’ homes.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Cloyd and Norvelle Miller; six sisters, Mamie Allen, Hazel Hawkins, Blanche Thurman, Grace Myers, Alberta O’Neal and Reda Grimlan; and by her husband, Wallace Slack.
Survivors include a son, Jerry Slack of Lubbock; a daughter, Janelle Jackson of Floyd; three grandchildren, Sandy Long, Rex and Sherrie Jackson; two great-grandchildren, Scott and Matthew Long; and three great-great-grandchildren, Kayla, Megan and Jared Long.
Delbert Lopez will officiate the services.
Honorary pallbearers will be her family and friends.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Grace Solis
Service: Have been held.
Grace T. Solis, 89, of Fort Sumner died Friday Jan. 9, 2004, at Laurel Ridge Care in Clovis.
She was the founding pastor of Christ Full Gospel Church in Fort Sumner, where she served for many years.
Anna Teeter and Pete Jaramillo will officiate at the services. Burial will follow at Fort Sumner Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner.
Ben Smart
Services: Have been held.
Mr. Ben. O. “Pappy Ben” Smart, 86, of Arvada, Colo., a furniture dealer, died Wednesday, May 14, 2003, at the Wheatridge Manor Nursing Home in Arvada.
He was born on Feb. 27, 1917, in Roosevelt County.
He married Lela Inez Leitner on Oct. 22, 1937, in Amarillo. They lived in the Texas communities of Amarillo, Austin, Huntsville, Lubbock and Farwell, before moving to Colorado. He owned and operated his own retail furniture business for many years. He was a member of the Assembly of God, the Gideon's and a director for the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.
He is survived by three daughters: Betty Smart Craven (and husband, Jimmy) of Clovis, Carol Smart Dole (and husband, Terry) of Prescott, Ariz., and Linda Smart Penry (and husband, Dan) of Grand Junction, Colo.; one son, Stephen Smart (and wife, Cheryl) of Arvada; one brother, Jim Bob Smart (and wife, Wanda) of Austin; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.
Jimmy C. Craven will officiate the services.
Muffley Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
