Articles from the February 14, 2006 edition

Darline Dine Morris, 78, of Clovis, died Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006, at Plains Regional Medical Center. She was born Feb. 21, 1927, to Clete and Ada Wheat Nation in Higgins, Texas. She was member of Fraternal Order of Eagles and AMVETS. She was a three-time World Champion barrel racer of the National Old Timers Rodeo Association and was of the Methodist faith. She was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include three sons, Mike Edgmon (Deborah) of Lexington Park, Md., Dick Edgmon (Mary) of Higgins, Texas, and Wade Morris...

John Sawyer, 82, of Portales, died Monday, Jan. 16, 2006, at his home. He was born May 25, 1923, in Sawyer Flat, Texas, to Nannie and Andersen Sawyer. He was the youngest of 12 children. He married Bobbie Lacy on Oct. 30, 1943, in Seminole, Texas. He farmed at Sawyer Flat until 1947 when he moved to a farm southwest of Portales in the Dora community. He retired in 1998 and moved to Portales. Family members said he enjoyed his work and was a successful farmer because he always made a crop in good years and in the dry ones. He...

Edna Josephine Wyatt of Clovis died Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006, at Mesilla Valley Hospice in Las Cruces. She was born Sept. 18, 1918, in Floydada, Texas, to Samuel and Ozena Broyles. She was a lifelong resident of the St. Vrain, Melrose, House and Clovis area. Family members said she was a loving wife, mother and dear friend to many. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, D.C. “Doc” Wyatt; and a son, Jerry Alden Wyatt. Survivors include a daughter, Ruth Marie Smith (and husband, Fred) of Albuquerque; three son...

Angel Kaiden Torres, infant, of Clovis, died Monday, Jan. 16, 2006, at Plains Regional Medical Center. Survivors include his mother, Sonya Aragon; father, Joseph Torres; a sister, Keirra; a brother, Jayden; maternal grandparents, Anastacio and Mary Helen Urioste; paternal grandparent, Corine Gallegos; four uncles, Hiame, Anthony, Gene and Andrew; six aunts, Mary Helen, Diana, Suzy, Katherine, Rachael and Michelle; and four cousins, Antonio, Katie, Destiney and Brittany. Burial will be at Mount Calvary in Puerta de Luna....

Mrs. Maedelle Martin, 82, of Clovis died Jan. 16, 2006, at Retirement Ranch after a lengthy illness. She was born Aug. 1, 1923, Fargo, Texas, to Charlie and Magdalene Glover. She attended schools in Pleasant Hill and Clovis, graduating from Benson’s School of Business and Commerce. She was a bookkeeper at Thompson’s Furniture in the 1950s, and worked for Southwestern Investment Co. for many years. Family members said she was a wonderful seamstress and homemaker and a favorite past-time was painting pictures of the Sou... Full story

Eugene “Gene” Carter, 67, of Roswell, died Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006, at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center. He was born March 8, 1938, in Portales, to Louis and Elizabeth McClain Carter. He married Linda Woody on Sept. 16, 1991, in Roswell. He was a paint contractor and owned and operated the Gene Carter Airless Repair. He served in the U.S. Army and was a member of the 82nd Airborne Battalion. Family members said he loved riding motorcycles. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother; and a sister. Survivors include his...

Jose Felipe Maestas, 88, died Monday, Jan. 16, 2006, at his home. He was born Aug. 23, 1917, to Donicio Maestas and Maria Martinez in Anton Chico. He married Maria Cordova in Santa Rosa. He was a railroader, worked for the city of Clovis and a self-employed carpenter. He is preceded in death by his wife, a son, Willie Maestas, his parents Donicio and Maria Maestas, a brother and five sisters. He is survived by two sons, Herman Maestas of Clovis and Eddie Maestas (and wife, Maria) of Pasadena, Calif.; seven daughters, Ida...

Wilfred Reyes Salas, 19, of Clovis, died Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006, at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock. He was born Oct. 26, 1986, to Wilfred and Velma Quintana Salas in Portales. He worked as a milker at a local dairy. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Demetrio Salas; and cousin, Richard Salas. Survivors include his mother, Velma Valdez; step-father Joe Valdez, both of Clovis; father, Wilfred Salas of Clovis; brother, Victor Robledo of Clovis; two grandmothers, Rose Garcia (and husband, Isidro) of Clovis and...

Kate Griego, 80, of Clovis, died Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006, following an extended illness in Clovis. She was born Aug. 15, 1925, in Sambinoso. She had made her home in Clovis for many years due to health reasons. She was a member of the Guadalupe Catholic Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Emilio Victor Griego; son, Jimmy; and daughter, Katherine. Survivors include her sons, Joseph (and wife, Julie) of Bagwell, Texas, Max (Anne) of Santa Fe, Emilio Jr. (Margaret) of Clovis, Stanley (Stacy) of Clovis, Richard of...

Mattye Mae McKnight Bobbitt died Monday, Jan. 16, 2006, surrounded by her family. She was born Jan. 3, 1909 in Huntsville, Texas, the second child of Elwood Reed Lindley and Dora Lee Hoke Lindley. She graduated in 1929 from Sam Houston State Teacher’s College in Huntsville and taught in public schools in that area until 1993 when she married Cyrus McKnight of Pampa, Texas. The couple moved to Portales in 1946 where Mr. McKnight operated McKnight’s Welding and Machine Shop until his death in 1963, and Mrs. McKnight taught in... Full story

Glenda Maxcine Cook Russell, 84, of Clovis, died Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006, at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock. She was born July 19, 1921, in Electra, to Sam and Addie Cook. She was raised and educated in Portales with four brothers and three sisters. She married John Wayne Russell on Jan. 6, 1941, and was widowed in March of 1973. She was Homecoming Queen at Eastern New Mexico University in 1948. She worked for Carmack and Sons in Clovis until they closed. She was a PEO sister and an active member of Central Christian...

Michael Angel Romero, infant, died, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2006, at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis. He was born Jan. 19, 2006. He is survived by his mother, Angelica Villarreal of Clovis; his father, Michael Romero of Clovis; grandparents, Elida Gonzales of Clovis, and Roger Romero (and wife, Joann) of Clovis; and great-grandparents, Jessie Gonzales (Adelaida) of Clovis and Louis Romero (Florinda) of Clovis. Alfredo Espino will officiate the graveside services. Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home in...

Erlinda Chavez, 84, of Clovis, died Friday, Jan. 20, 2006, at Plains Regional Medical Center. She was born July 21, 1921, to Margarito and Castella Ribera Gallegos in Vaughn. She married Jose Inez Chavez Sept. 7, 1937, in Clovis. She was a homemaker and a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Community. She is preceded in death by her husband; four sisters, Pelajia Martinez, Delia Duran, Candida Vasquez and Josefa Griego; and four brothers, Reynaldo, Vicente, Rosario and Adan Gallegos. She is survived by five sons,...

Mrs. Ruth Wesley Brittain, 86, of Melrose, died Friday, Jan. 20, 2006, at Laurel Plains Healthcare. She was born May 20, 1919, in Quay County, to Wesley A. and Effie Good Stockton. She was a lifelong resident of the Forrest and Melrose communities. She was the city clerk of Melrose for many years. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Melrose. Family members said she enjoyed painting, fishing and sewing. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Randall William Brittain; and two sisters, Amy... Full story

Nevaeh Amber Lopez, infant, died Monday, Jan. 16, 2006, in Grants. She was born Monday, Jan. 16, 2006, in Grants. She was the daughter of Asia Skye Pena and Jake Lopez of Portales. A graveside service will be held. The Rev. Pete Jaramillo will officiate. Arrangements are Wheeler Mortuary of Portales....

Mauryce Pharies, 88, of Clovis died Friday, Jan. 20, 2006, at Plains Regional Medical Center. She was born Oct. 1, 1917, in Bridgeport, Texas, to Arnold and Tommie Etna Walker Giles. In 1940, she graduated from Texas Technological College. She married Roy Edward Pharies on Nov. 27, 1941, in Levelland, Texas. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. Family members said she loved to sing and quilt, and had made 93 quilts for her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, four brothers and a grandson, Ch...

Delores Ann Meeks, 71, of Texico, died Friday Jan. 20, 2006, at her home in Texico. She was born Oct. 7, 1934 in Clovis to Noble and Mae Ingle Goldsmith. She married Leon C. Meeks on Feb. 14, 1953, in Las Cruces. She was a lifetime resident of the Texico and Farwell areas. She was a graduate of Farwell High School, a homemaker and member of the Farwell Church of Christ, the Telephone Pioneers of America and Roadrunner Club. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Jack Goldsmith. Survivors include her husband;...

Harold Hardy Thrasher, 89, of Pampa, Texas, died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2006, in Pampa. He was born March, 18, 1916, in Cooke County, Texas, and came to Amarillo in 1921, where he lived until 1936. In 1936, he moved to Canadian, Texas, and resided there until moving to Pampa in 1950. He married Juanita Pendergraft on April 1, 1938, in Canadian. She died in 1984. He was a conductor for Santa Fe railway for 37 years, retiring in 1980. He was a member of Central Baptist Church, United Transportation Union No. 1313 in Amarillo,...

Mrs. Maria del Carmen Marquez Sandoval, 98, of Clovis, died Friday, Jan. 20, 2006, at Plains Regional Medical Center. She was born Feb. 10, 1907, in La Loma, to Onofre and Mariana Griego Marquez. Family members said she loved to dance, was happy for all of her life and dearly loved her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; a husband, Secundino Sandoval; a brother, George Marquez; and two sisters, Ana Maria Saiz, and Francisca Lucero. She is survived by six daughters, Pauline Nino (and husband, Bennie)...

Christopher Benito Valdez, 4 months and 26 days, died Saturday, Jan. 14, 2006, in Clovis. He is preceded in death by his great-grandfather, Angel Martinez; and his great-uncle, Lupe. He is survived by his mother, Dellia Romero of Clovis; father Benito Valdez of Clovis; a brother Gustavo Angel Valdez of Clovis; grandparents Fred and Tita Romero of Clovis, Santos Valdez of Hobbs and Teresita Valdez of Lubbock; two aunts Jennifer Baca of Raleigh, N.C., and Antonia Baca Luna of Maryland; six uncles, Jason Romero of Denver,...

E.J. Crownover, 93, of Fort Sumner, died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006, at Laurel Ridge Care Center. He was born April 6, 1912, in Clyde, Texas, to Jim W. Crownover and Lena L. Hargrove. He attended school at Fort Sumner. He married Helen Wright on Oct. 12, 1940, in Santa Rosa. He was a veteran of World War II, serving from June 19, 1944, until his honorable discharge on Dec. 21, 1945. His military occupation was Rifleman 745. He received the Combat Infantryman Badge for his marksmanship. He was a member of the First Baptist Church...

Nell A. Duke, 95, of Fort Sumner, died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006, at Retirement Ranch Care Center. She was born Nov. 26, 1910, in Marietta, Okla., to Walter and Susie Ellen Welborn. Following high school, she took a business course and went to work at Ware’s Department Store in Littlefield, Texas. She later worked for Southwestern Public Service. She married Carl H. Duke on Oct. 22, 1937, in Littlefield. They made their home in the Fort Sumner valley where they farmed for many years. She worked as the office manager for the A...

Juan V. Macias, 76, of Clovis, died Saturday, Jan 21, 2006, at Plains Regional Medical Center. He was born April 9, 1929, in Pedernales, Chihuahua, Mexico, to Juan and Eusebia Valles Macias. He brought his family to Clovis in 1979 and worked as a cooker at the ethanol plant until his retirement in 1991. He married Cristina Sandoval in 1980 in Clovis. He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Family members said he enjoyed watching Spanish movies, Novelas and listening to Mexican music. He also enjoyed sitting... Full story

Clarence Truman Kirksey, 95, of Odessa, Texas, died Saturday, Jan. 14, 2006. He was born on Jan. 13, 1911, in Blanket, Texas, to John Edward Kirksey and Sarah Angeline Goates. In 1927, Clarence and his brothers drove a covered wagon from Brownwood, Texas, to Portales. A resident of Odessa, Texas, since 1958, he owned and operated Globe Cleaners until retirement in 1981. He served on the Medical Center Hospital Board 21 years and was active in the Breakfast Optimist Club. He was a member of Crescent Park Baptist Church,...

Michael E. “Mike” Thorne, 71, of Clovis died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006, at Heartland Continuing Care Center in Portales. He was born March 17, 1934, in Oklahoma City, Okla., to Robert T. and Lois Vance Lamb. He was a respiratory therapist and former member of the Eagles, Odd Fellows and Kiwanis. He married Shirlee Jean Mitchell on Sept. 14, 1957, in Cheyenne, Wyo. He was preceded by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Jean Thorne; daughters, Caroline Sue and Melissa Foster of Tucumcari; son, Clayton Thorne of Minnesota; bro...