Obituaries (Jan. 10)

Gladys Gilbert

Services: 1:30 p.m. today at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Portales.

Gladys Gilbert, 92, of Portales, died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006, at Heartland Continuing Care Center in Portales.

She was born Dec. 8, 1913, in Marietta, Okla., to Theora and Charles R. Tanner. On July 3, 1940, in Reno, Nev., she married William Gilbert. The couple was able to remain in their own home until very recently when they moved to Heartland Continuing Care Center in Portales. She was a member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Ed, Jeff, Paul and Ben Tanner; and a sister, Bertha Holcomb.

Survivors include her husband; brothers, Tyrus Tanner and Pete Tanner, both of Gustine, Calif.; sister, Verda Jo Bower of Gustine, Calif.; 17 nieces and nephews; as well as many close friends and relatives, including the Mack Legleiter family of Portales and the people of Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Rev. Walter Huber is officiating.

Burial will take place in Portales Cemetery.

Lonnie Legleiter, Steve Davis, Steve King, Steve Collins, Jimmy Roberts, Fernie Tapia, Royce Clark, Mark McAfee, Clovis Gray and Leon Nall will act as pallbearers.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.

Robert “Bob” McMath

Services: 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Robert “Bob” McMath, 78, of Portales, died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006, at his home in Portales.

He was born Nov. 27, 1927, in Mulberry, Ark., to Vicie and Robert N. McMath. He grew up in Wagner, Okla. In the late 1950s he moved to Hagerman where he worked hauling hay. On Jan. 10, 1967, in Roswell, he married Oma Looney. In 1969, they moved to Portales.

From 1970 until 1975 he owned and operated the Portales Security Patrol. In 1975, he began driving trucks for Southwest Canners. He retired in 1990. Since then he worked odd jobs with trucking firms, but most of his time was spent traveling and fishing. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Edward McMath.

Survivors include his wife, Oma; sons, Archie (and his wife, Ann) McMath and Luther McMath both of Portales; daughter, Judy McElroy of Oklahoma; 17 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sister, Bertha Hancock of Roswell; step-sons, Jimmy Looney (Brenda) and Dearil “Dink” (Susan) Looney, both of Portales and step-daughter, Twana (Floyd) Hancock of Portales.

Bishop Merlyn Carling along with various family members will officiate.

Burial will take place in the Portales Cemetery.

Ryan McMath, Eric McMath, Todd Looney, Darrell Looney, Jimmy Looney, Jr. and Scotty McMath will serve as pallbearers.

Honorary pallbearers will be Joey Looney, Mickey Looney and Floyd Hancock.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.