Obits 8/22

Eva Banister, 55

Mrs. Eva “Jody” Banister, 55, of Portales, died Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2003, at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis.

She was born on Sept. 23, 1947, in Portales, to Hazel and Manuel Vancleve.

She worked as a cook at Cook’s Truck Center in Clovis. She was the child care provider for several nieces and nephews and grandchildren. Family members said she enjoyed trips to Ruidoso with her sister and sister-in-law, she looked forward to holidays and other opportunities for family gatherings, playing Farkle and other games, and doing word puzzles.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Helen Haragan.

She is survived by three sons, Lonnie Banister (and wife, Deanna) of Portales and Dusty Morrow (Amy) and Danny Joe Morrow, all of Texico; two daughters, Kathy Banister of Portales and Ruth Price (Todd) of Des Moines, Iowa; 10 grandchildren; two brothers, Harvey Vancleve of Lovington and Orville Baker of Clovis.

Scott P. Reeves will officiate the services.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales. Services are at 10 a.m. Monday at Portales Cemetery.

James Ridgley Whiteman, 93

James Ridgley Whiteman Carpenter, 93, of Clovis, an entertainer and artist, died Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2003, at Laurel Plains Nursing Home in Clovis.

He was born on Jan. 15, 1910, in Portales, to Levi J. and Katherine Greathouse Whiteman.

He graduated from Clovis High School in 1928. He married Rachel Merie McCarty on Aug. 25, 1935. He married Edna Lampman “Falling Leaf” of Oklahoma, then Thelma Crume Green. He was a carpenter by trade, but being part indian, his primary interst was Indian lore. In the late 1930’s he was one of the 162 artist-craftsmen selected from New Mexico to work in the New Mexico Works Progress Administration Art Project. During World War II he was in defense work at North American Aircraft building planes. In 2000 he gained recognition after many years for discovering the 13,000 year old “Clovis Man Site” in Blackwater Draw in 1929. He continued to make Indian jewerly, Indian flutes and painting in oil even after he went blind in 2000.

He was preceded in death by his wives, Rachel Merie McCarty Whiteman, Edna Lampman Whiteman and Thelma Crume Whiteman; and a son, Jim Whiteman.

He is survived by a daughter, Katherine McAlavy (and husband, Don) of Clovis; a son, Scott Whiteman of Riverside, Calif.; thirteen grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren.

McClelland Hall will officiate the services.

Honorary pallbearers will be H.A. Kilmer, Don McAlvay, Jim Warnica, Gary Fenn, Jim Patton, Dan Greathouse, Thad Isbell, Bobby Jordan, McClellan Hall, Smoking Bear, Fred Gaborie and his muzzleloading friends.

Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis. Services are at 3 p.m. Saturday at Portales Cemetery.