McKinley, Christina

Christina McKinley, 96, of Roswell, died Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2006, at a local nursing home.

She was born July 9, 1909, near Hemingford, Neb., to James C. and Marie Dorothy Blundell.

She married James A. Chaulk on April 11, 1928.

She spent her childhood on the family ranch and began her teaching career when she was 17 in the area rural school. After the death of her husband she continued her teaching career. She earned her teaching degree, attending college at Chadron College in Chadron, Neb., New Mexico Highlands University and Eastern New Mexico University. She moved to New Mexico in 1944.

She taught fifth grade at the Lordsburg schools and then began teaching in Portales until her retirement in 1962.

She was active in teachers groups, the Methodist Church, Sunday school, Pink Ladies and the Business Women’s Association. Family members said she loved to bake and always had a garden and flowers. She went to live at Villa Del Rey in Roswell in July of 2002, to be nearer her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a sister Ayles, and three brothers, Shorty, Charles and John.

She is survived by a sister, Dorothy Summerville of Mitchell, Neb.; a daughter, Rosalie (and husband Ralph) of Lincoln, Dr. Lawrence Chaulk, DVM, of Booneville, Calif., Allan Chaulk (Carol) of Alliance, Neb.; three stepdaughters, Wanda Tarpley of Tucumcari, Ouida Lowery of Albuquerque, and Janita (Bud) of Roswell; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and her special friend Jean White of Portales.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in her name to a Hospice group of choice.

Funeral arrangements are through LaGrone Funeral Chapel.