Zelfa Goad Younger

Zelfa Goad Younger, 99, of Melrose, and formerly of Texico, died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006, at Laurel Ridge Healthcare in Clovis.

She was born Oct. 15, 1906, in Pecan Gap, Texas, to Emily Saloma and Charles Lee Goad. She grew up in the Fairview community near Claude, Texas. She received her bachelor’s degree in teacher education from West Texas State Teachers College in Canyon, Texas, and her masters degree at Eastern New Mexico University.

Her pioneer teaching career began at Otto in 1931 where she taught two years, and continued at Amistad, Rosedale, Loving/Carlsbad, and Center. The final nine years of her 36 years in public education was spent at Texico as the elementary school principal.

She was active in local and state educational associations.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her step-mother, Stella Goad; her husband of 50 years, B. D. “Duke” Younger in 1975; brothers, Charles Goad and Theodore Goad; sisters, Lola Goad, Essie Stevenson, Clarice Roe and Thelma Oliver; step-brother, Ernest Stevenson; and step-sisters, Grace Cameron and Lucille Gooden.

Survivors include her only son, Dan Younger of Melrose; grandchildren, Danna Younger of Houston and Duke Younger (and his wife, Helen) of Dallas; great-grandchildren, Tommy Lee Townsend, Jr. of San Diego and Cole Younger (Dawn) of Dallas; and great-great-grandchildren, Tommy Gun Townsend and Dylan Lee Townsend of San Diego.

Rev. E. G. Lambright will officiate and Rev. Durward Wofford will assist.

Burial will be at Sunset Terrace Memorial Cemetery in Farwell.

Memorial contributions: may be made to the Younger Scholarship Fund, Texico Schools, P.O. Box 237, Texico, N.M. 88135.

Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis.