Our People: Rodeo queen still in the scene

Wilma Fulgham was born in Farwell and raised within the Clovis area through the depression years. She has been involved in agriculture all her life and comes from a family of hard workers. In 1906, her grandfather, Henry Curtis, came to the Texico area on a covered wagon.

Fulgham is recognized for being involved in the western lifestyle. She has worked with the Chamber and Rodeo Pioneer Days committee for many years.

Her late husband, Benny Fulgham, was rodeo director for over 20 years. The two were married for a near 63 years before he passed in June 2014. They had four children. She lost a daughter, Patricia, who was a stillbirth, and a son, Garry Fulgham, who died of an aneurysm.

She is the director of the High Plains Historical foundation, which deals with preserving the history of the Clovis area and is working towards a museum in Curry County. Fulgham is the president of the Miss Rodeo New Mexico Pageant and co-chair of the Pioneer Days Rodeo Queen Pageant.

It all started in 1950 when she won the title for New Mexico State Queen where she represented Curry County. This is where she developed a passion to help other women in rodeo pageantry and she continues to do so today.

What do you like about being involved with the Rodeo Pageant?

It’s very fulfilling to see the girls blossom and grow. They start out as little rodeo queens and to see them grow in their poise and confidence as older women is very fulfilling.

What don’t you like about it?

Getting more women involved is a challenge. It’s expensive to be in these pageants and so we help these young ladies with fundraising and with other ways to be involved. We have a queens closet where we help with their clothes. We have scholarships. We’re always looking for ways to improve and I have a great committee. We have an organization called Horse Feathers that’s based on scripture. It’s from Hebrews 10:24 “Spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

When you were a kid, what did you think you’d be doing as an adult?

I wanted to be a rancher and raise horses and cattle.

What’s your idea of a perfect day?

To me it’s a day that glorifies God’s creation such as good gentle rains, being with good friends and good people — people who love the Lord.

What is your theme song?

I like traditional western song. The old kind. The ones that tell a good story. How Great Thou Art’s second verse is my theme. I always said I want that verse song at my funeral.

What’s your favorite taste?

Beef and Mexican food.

What’s your favorite smell?

I love the smell of roses.

What’s your favorite TV show, past and present?

I watch a lot of Fox News. I like the Inspiration Channel, Walker Texas Ranger, Doctor Quinn, Medicine Woman and I watch Encore westerns.

Tell us about your greatest individual accomplishment?

To honor God in everything I do. I have accomplished a lot. When I look back, God has allowed people to influence me in many positive ways and my greatest accomplishment is being able to pass it on.

What would you like your epitaph to be?

Something along the lines of “If it’s not of eternal value it’s not worth doing.”

— Compiled by Correspondent D’Nieka Hartsfield