Obits Aug. 10

Alice Ackerman, 87

Mrs. Alice Ackerman, 87, a former resident of Portales, died Thursday, Aug. 7, 2003, at Copper Queen Community Hospital in Bisbee, Ariz.

She was born Nov. 4, 1915, in a farm house near Roosevelt, Okla., to Ida and Clarence Hill.

Along with her brothers and sisters, she endured the Depression after the early death of their father. The family moved to New Mexico in 1939 or 1940, settling in Roswell. It was there that she met Roy O. Ackerman, and the couple was married Nov. 29, 1945, in Carlsbad. They originally lived in Portales in 1951, but during those years moved quite often due to her husband’s work. They returned to Portales to make their home in 1960. Alice was an active member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church until her health forced her to move to McNeal, Ariz., in 1996 to make her home with her son. Family members said she was a loving, caring and giving person.

She was preceded in death by her parents; six brothers; a sister; a son, Stephen; and her husband, Roy Ackerman, who died Nov. 7, 1978.

Survivors include two sons, Lester (and wife, Juanita) Ackerman of McNeal and Roy (Debbie) Ackerman of Springer; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

The Rev. Walter Huber will officiate the services.

Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Lester, Roy, Steve, Ira, Sean and Christopher Ackerman.

Wheeler Mortuary of Portales is handling arrangements. Services are at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Portales.

Michael Gray, 50

Michael R. Gray, 50, of Hobbs, died Thursday, Aug. 7, 2003, in Hobbs.

He was born June 25, 1953, in Hobbs, to Kelly and Mary Ruth Gray.

He married Sandra Kirby on May 3, 1986, in Hobbs. He retired from the Hobbs Fire Department as chief after serving 12 years. Before moving to Hobbs, he served the Portales Fire Department for eight years, including a stint as fire chief.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Tyler, of Hobbs; a daughter, Kaitlin, of Hobbs; two brothers, Steve Gray of Dallas and Mark Gray of Logan; and two sisters, Kathy Combs and Jokelly Herbert, both of Portales.

The Rev. Todd Dyess will officiate the services.

Burial will be at Prairie Haven Memorial Park in Hobbs.

Memorial contributions may be made to the United Way.

Griffin Funeral Home of Hobbs is handling arrangements. Services are at 10 a.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church in Hobbs.