Kenneth Cooper, 71
Kenneth “K.C.” Cooper, 71, of Clovis, died Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, in Curry County.
He was born Nov. 23, 1933, to Elmer P. and Ella F. Long Cooper in Hugo, Okla. He married Laura Ebeltoft on Aug. 6, 1996, in Clovis. He was a carpenter, and family members said he enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, J.D., Ronnie and Tommy Cooper; and a sister, Joann Akens.
Survivors include his wife; five daughters, Kasey Noel Cooper, Cindy Meeks (and husband, Steve) of Texico, Suzanne Jones of Lubbock, Mary Magill (Tim) of San Jose, Calif., and Leslie Cooper of Clovis; four sons, Kevin Cooper (Kim) of Clovis, Dean Hardage (Robin) of Clovis, Jamie Cooper (Suzanne) of Portales, and William Choate (Eleen) of Seattle; two brothers, Danny Cooper of Laredo, Texas, and Billy Ray Cooper of Farwell; a sister, Glenda Hanson of Tucson, Ariz.; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Muffley Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Loy Fair will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Melrose Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Jessie Cooper, Justin Meeks, Jamie D. Cooper, Jason Meeks, William Choate, Keith Manning, Cody Varnell, Kyle Hardage and Garrett Meiwes.
Honorary pallbearers include Ashley Varnell, Andrea Hardage, Lacey Meeks and Candice Meiwes.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Clovis Christian School, 800 Hinkle, Clovis, NM 88101.
Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis.
Raymond Stokes, 89
Mr. Raymond F. Stokes, 89, of the Arch community, died Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2004, in Arch.
He was born on Dec. 14, 1914, in Iredell, Texas, to Ida Pearl and Francis H. Stokes. He moved from O’Donnell, Texas, to the Arch community in 1934. On March 1, 1936, in Portales, he married Aleen Dougherty. He was a farmer. Family members said he also enjoyed raising cattle.
He was a member of the Arch Baptist Church for more than 70 years and served as a deacon for more than 50. He taught Sunday School for the youth for more than 30 years and he helped with the construction of the Arch church. Family members said he was an avid reader, and kept up with world affairs and he was devoted to his family, his church and farming.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Robert, Scott, Jack and Jerry Stokes; a step-brother, Vernon Walling; five sisters, Faye Walker, Alva Frazier, Zola Little, Audrey O’Conner and Frances Brewster; a son-in-law, Claude McAfee; and two grandchildren, Leslie and Derek Bennett.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Don Stokes (and wife, Barbara) of Lubbock and Howard Stokes (Joye) of Ruidoso; four daughters, Peggy Usrey (Wayne) of Ruidoso, Nadine McAfee of Portales, Carolyn Hayhurst (Don) of Boise, Idaho, and Barbara Harper (Gary) of Portales; 12 grandchildren, Mikki Bornman, Mike Usrey, Alaine McAfee, Derik, Mary and Dustin Stokes, Kim and Andrea Amspacher, Pam Morgan, Belinda Bukovitz, Allison and Lance Hayhurst; 11 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church in Portales. The Rev. Tony Reynolds and the Rev. Lewis Johnson will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Wesley Bales, Harold Heflin, John Gentry, Mike Golden, Stan Harrison and Bill Walker.
Honorary pallbearers are Jim Golden, Fletcher Walker, R. B. Hardin Jr., Dennis Walker, Roland Bingham, Charles McAlister, Warren Brakebill, Rodney Johnson, Jess Harwell and all of his other many friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to the Arch Baptist Church Building Fund.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Virgil Wheeler, 79
Mr. Virgil Wheeler, 79, died Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, near Portales.
He was born on Aug. 31, 1925, in Oklahoma to Dora and Johnny Wheeler. He “fudged” on his age in order to be able to enlist in the Navy in December of 1942 and served aboard the U.S.S. Elliott. Following the war, he started his career with the Santa Fe Railroad and retired as a Division Lineman in 1986 after 36 years, during which time he was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Since his retirement, he had continued to farm and ranch and raise Arabian horses. He married Patricia Simpson in Breckenridge, Mo., on Oct. 14, 1952.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jerden and Ben Wheeler; three sisters, Bonnie Hackney, Luwanna Wheeler and Patsy Wheeler; a daughter, Elizabeth Kay Wheeler; and a grandson, Zebulon Wheeler.
Survivors include his wife; three sons, Kevin Wheeler (and wife, Sheryll) of Thief River Falls, Minn., Keith Wheeler (Cheryl) of Gallup, and Kyle Wheeler (Betsy) of Sapello; four daughters, Karen Cantrell (Chris) of Fort Worth, Texas, Kris Vigil (Kenny) of Clovis, Kelen Kimbrel (Dale) of Albuquerque, and Frances Ruth Carlson of California; 18 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three brothers, Harold Wheeler (Jenny) and Leroy Wheeler (Vondell), both of Norman, Okla., and Thomas Wheeler (Ann) of Florida; and a niece, Shirley Whatley.
Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Wheeler Mortuary Chapel in Portales. The Rev. J. R. Dick Ross will officiate the services.
Burial will be at the Portales Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Dale Kimbrel, Kenny Vigil, Kevin Wheeler, Keith Wheeler, Kyle Wheeler and Chris Cantrell.
Honorary pallbearers are Kody Vigil, Justin Wheeler, Matthew Jaramillo and Andrew Espinosa.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Pete Gallegos, 77
Mr. Pete Gallegos, 77, of Clovis, died Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, at Laurel Plains Nursing Home in Clovis.
He was born on Aug. 1, 1927, in Sacatosa, to Glaudina and Pedro Gallegos. He married Aurelia Pena in Las Vegas, N.M., on Aug. 1, 1952. He made his home in Las Vegas until moving to Portales in 1960. For many years he worked on local farms until 1978. Family members said he enjoyed working in his yard and watching wrestling matches on television. For the past two years he has been a resident of a rest home in Clovis.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Ramon, Max, Marcelino and Epifanio Gallegos; two sisters, Vianita Chavez, and Genevieve Gallegos; an infant daughter; and his wife.
Survivors include three sons, Pat, Dennis and Ernesto Gallegos, all of Portales; two daughters, Loretta Aguilar (and husband, Reggie) of Portales, and Ernistine Carrasquillo (Jerry) of Boston; seven grandchildren, Jimmy Salazar (Deandra), Salvador Gonzales (Nicole), Eric Gallegos (Bernadette), B. Ryan, Junior and Adam Aguilar, and Tabitha and Jacob Carrasquillo; six great-grandchildren, Jonathyn, Ethyn and Rheagyn Gonzales, Izaiah Salazar, and Meika and Angelina Gallegos.
Services are scheduled for 3 p.m. today at Wheeler Mortuary Chapel in Portales. Father Tobin Hitt will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Vincent Gallegos, Eric Gallegos, Bryan Aguilar, Salvador Gonzales, Jimmy Salazar and Larry Vigil.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Billy Tivis, 62
Mr. Billy Ray Tivis, 62, of Portales, died Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, in Roswell.
He was born on Dec. 24, 1941, to Susie and Fate Tivis in Portales. He lived in Bethel for several years as a child and attended school in Floyd. Later he moved to Portales. He served in the National Guard and farmed and raised cattle for several years before becoming a contractor. He has been a truck driver. Family members said he enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, 4-wheeling and going to the mountains of Colorado. He raised quarter horses for several years and was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association. Family members said he always enjoyed visiting with friends and telling stories.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Survivors include his mother; three brothers, J. R. Tivis (and wife, Nancy), Jerry Tivis (Cherry), and Donny Tivis (Shirley), all of Portales; four sisters, Virginia Stewart of Plano, Texas, Mary Helen Corbin (Webb) of Lubbock, Lavon Chase (Johnny) of Clovis, and Laveda Miller (Boyd) of Hurst, Texas.
Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Wheeler Mortuary Chapel in Portales. The Rev. Jim Maxwell will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Steve Adkins, D. K. Shafer, Keith Carmichael, T. Miller, Duane Chase and Johnny Chase.
Honorary pallbearers are Jeff Bilberry, Odis Newman, Billy Dixon, Wayne Tivis, Boyd Miller and Webb Corbin.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Mary Norris, 57
Mary Louise Norris, 57, died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004, at Timpanogos Hospital in Orem, Utah.
She was born Sept. 28, 1947 to Lyle and Jean Norris in Las Vegas. She graduated from high school at Johnson Air Base in Japan, and was a graduate of Eastern New Mexico University in Portales. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served as a primary teacher, relief society teacher, chorister, assistant nursery leader, and ward librarian. Family members said she loved to sing, and was an avid reader. Family members said she also loved to crochet and made many gifts for others. She enjoyed working logical puzzles and watching Jeopardy.
Survivors include her parents; two brothers, Paul Norris (and wife, Rebecca) of Chula Vista, Calif., and Jim Norris (Cindy) of Sandy, Utah; two sisters, Naomi Damron (Greg) of Salt Lake City, and Ann Peterson (Val) of Orem; seven nieces; four nephews; a great-niece; and two great-nephews.
Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at the Timpview 8th Ward in Orem, Utah.
Burial will be at Orem Cemetery in Orem.
In lieu of flowers, an educational scholarship fund had been established.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Mary Norris Trust Account at any Zion’s bank.
Arrangements are by Cannon Mortuary in Salt Lake City.
Marcella Garduno, 50
Marcella “Marcy” Bernadette Garduno, 50, of Clovis, died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004 at University Medical Center in Lubbock.
She was born Nov. 23, 1954, to Andres and Ermelinda Pena Garduno in Portales. She grew up in Clovis and attended Clovis schools. She was an employee of the Lighthouse Ministries.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Ermelinda Garduno.
Survivors include a son, Antonio Garduno of Clovis; a daughter, Maria Correa (and husband, Alex) of Oklahoma City; her father; a brother, Andrew Garduno (Loretta) of Irving, Texas; a sister, Patricia Dodge (Albert) of Clovis; and two grandchildren, Elijah Correa and Joshua Correa.
Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Muffley Funeral Home Chapel in Clovis. Pastor Richard Gomez will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens in Clovis.
Pallbearers are Virginia Garduno, Dominic Garduno, Christopher Garduno, Carlos Gomez, Johnny Gomez, Jr., Richard Gomez, Jr., and Santigo Sandoval.
Honorary pallbearers are her cousins and close friends.
Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis.
Minnie Navarro, 70
Ms. Minnie E. Navarro, 70, of Portales, died Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004, at Roosevelt General Hospital in Portales.
She was born on Jan. 30, 1934, near Lake Arthur, to Minnie and Daniel A. Calhoun.
She graduated from Roswell High School in 1952. She moved to Portales in the late 1960s. In August of 1976 she started working for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences as a secretary. Then in May of 1980, she worked as a student records clerk at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She retired in June after 38 years. During that time, she completed an associate’s degree in secretarial sciences in 1979 and a bachelor’s degree in 1985. She was initiated into Phi Kappa Phi on April 12, 1983. The outstanding Support Employee Award was presented to her several years ago, and the Spirit of Eastern award was given in 1997. She was a member of the First Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Don and Doug Calhoun; and a sister, Lucille Vanderford.
Survivors include a daughter, Alice Navarro, who lives near Denver; a sister, Betty Ashcraft of Albuquerque; and several nieces and nephews.
No service will be held. Memorial contributions may be made to a scholarship fund being established in her name, in care of Friends of Eastern, ENMU, Portales 88130.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
Harry Gilbert, 63
Harry James Gilbert, 63, of Clovis, died Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, at Laurel Plains Healcare in Clovis.
He was born on March 5, 1942, in El Paso, Texas, to John Thomas and Hazel Nash Gilbert.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served in the transportation Corps, ACCTK Comand. He was a member of the American Legion Post 25 of Clovis and artist registry in Santa Fe. Family members said he loved to play the cello. He spent most of his life as an over-the-road truck driver for many companies, including Zero Freight, Worley Mills, Southwest Canners, and Dairy Haulers. He graduated with an art degree from Clovis Community College in 2001.
He was preceded in death by his father, John T. Gilbert Sr.; and a brother, Richard Gilbert.
Survivors include his wife, Pamela Howe-Gilbert of the home; his mother, Hazel Thompson of Clovis; two brothers, John Gilbert of Clovis, and George Gilbert of Hayward, Calif.; three daughters, Sonya, Christie, and Megan and a son, Stephen, from former marriages; a grandchild, Apsen of Mississippi; two stepdaughters, Laurie Perry, mother of Eric and Hayley, all of Portales, and Carolyn Glisson, mother of Ambrosia, both of Spencer, Iowa.
Services are scheduled for noon Saturday at the American Legion Post 25 in Clovis. Santiago Hildalgo will officiate the services.
Cremation has taken place.
Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis.
Linda Bailey, 57
Linda Bailey, 57, of Clovis, died Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004, in Albuquerque.
She was born in 1947. She graduated from Sandia High School in 1965. She married George Bogle after graduation. In 1981, she married Jerry Bailey. She was a graduate of Clovis Community College School of nursing in 1995. She worked as a registered nurse for various home health organizations in Clovis, Amarillo, Friona and Albuquerque, most recently Heritage Home Health. Family members said she was a devoted mother, grandmother and wife.
Survivors include her husband, Jerry Bailey of Clovis; two sons, Ed Bogle (and wife, Christine) of Rio Rancho, Rick Bogle (Dori) of Albuquerque; a step-daughter, Andrea King (David) of Birmingham, Ala.; and 14 grandchildren.
Services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, at Calvary Chapel in Albuquerque. The family requests memorial contributions be made to the New Mexico Christian Children's Home, 1356 NM 236, Portales 88130.
Arrangements are by French Mortuary in Albuquerque.
Kenneth Kerr, 73
Kenneth Clifton Kerr, 73, of Clovis died Monday, Nov. 29, 2004 at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock.
He was born Aug. 31, 1931, to W.M. Fred and Lola Ruff Kerr in San Jon. He graduated from Floyd High School in 1950 where he was a member of FFA and played basketball. He joined the Marines on Feb. 27, 1952, in Oceanside, Calif., and during his service he received the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and United Nations Service Medal.
He was a cabinet maker and finish carpenter for many years in Clovis. He was a longtime member of the First Church of the Nazarene and helped with Meals on Wheels. He coordinated many senior citizen trips. Family members said he enjoyed helping people and volunteering his time for the needs of others.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, W.S. Kerr.
Survivors include two sons, Michael Kerr (and wife, Peggy) of Fort Worth, Texas, and Craig Kerr of Flagstaff, Ariz.; a daughter, Starla Downs (Lonnie) of Clovis; an adopted son, Terry Scarborough of Houston; six grandchildren, Brian, Christopher, Stacey, and Cameron Kerr, Michelle Edwards, and Adam Scarborough; three great-grandchildren; longtime companion and friend, Dorothy Scarborough of Clovis; a brother, Richard Kerr (LaFern) of Los Lunas; nine sisters, Joan Mael (Raymond) of North Highland, Calif., Gloria Reid (Jack) of Bloomfield, Carolyn Massey of Elko, N.D., Helen Davis (Danny) of Porterville, Calif., Vernell Smith (Frank) of Hagerman, Jeanette Dever (W.E.) of Portales, Corennia McCair of Gardenville, N.D., Irene Huffman of Watauga, Texas, and Maxine Grant (Ellis) of Amarillo.
Services are scheduled for 2 p.m., Friday, at The First Church of the Nazarene in Clovis. Dr. J. Vaughn Gossman will officiate the services.
Burial will be at the Portales Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Red Nevens, E.M. Wright, Brian Kerr, John Peyton, Johnny Cothern, and Jerry Oldham.
Service will have military honors by the U.S. Marines Honor Guard.
Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home of Clovis.
Avis Simpson, 92
Mrs. Avis Irene Simpson, 92, of Austin, Texas, died Monday, Nov. 29, 2004 in Austin.
She was born on Feb. 6, 1912, in Nolan, Texas, to George Washington and Eula Wallis Hawkins. She was a long-time resident of Portales. She married Bill Simpson on July, 12 1944, in Roswell. She was a licensed practical nurse for many years, and had worked in the hospitals in Clovis and Portales as well as the hospital at Cannon Air Force Base. She also worked in several doctors’ offices and served as president for the local LPN association. Family members said she was a generous lady, who was always ready to help anyone in need.
She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Odus E. Thompson and Bill Simpson; a son, George Edward Thompson; two brothers; and a sister.
Survivors include two daughters, Jean Graves (and husband, Jerry), and Joyce Vandiver (Dale); a son, Lloyd D. Thompson (Nancy); a daughter-in-law, Thelma Thompson; two brothers, Alan Hawkins, and P. T. Hawkins (Colleen); a sister, Lauranette Mason (Raleigh); a sister-in-law, Virginia Hawkins; many grandchildren; great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; nieces; and nephews.
Services are scheduled for 10 a.m., Friday, at Wheeler Mortuary Chapel in Portales. The Rev. Roy Elmore will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.
Pallbearers are family members
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
William Lindsey, 69
William Lindsey Jr., 69, of Colorado Springs, Colo., died Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004, in Colorado.
He was born Aug. 31, 1935, in Abernathy, Texas, to William B. and Myrtle Lindsey. He graduated from Tucumcari High School in 1953. After serving in Japan with the United States Army, he learned the art of brick laying while working construction. He continued this profession for over 40 years, until his retirement in 2001.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Arbin Lindsey; a son, Joey Shaw; and his first wife, Frances Lindsey.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia Lindsey; three sons, Lester Shaw (and wife, Debbie) of Powder Springs, Ga., Patrick Lindsey (Annette) of Amarillo, and Michael Lindsey (Shelley) of Honolulu; two daughters, Billie Lindsey of Tucumcari, and Laura Gadman (David) of Ohatchee, Ala.; three step-daughters, Coleen Kiess-Stottlemire (Wayne) of Shaqualak, Miss., Jody Prewitt of Colorado Springs, and Shawnda Gallagher (Michael) of Deer Trail, Colo.; a step-son, Michael Kiess (Pam) of Aurora, Colo.; four brothers, Johnnie Lindsey of Tucumcari, Merle Lindsey of Alamogordo, Norman Lindsey of Mountainair, and Paul Lindsey of Logan; a sister, Eloise Allenberg of Tucumcari; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives.
Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Bethel Tabernacle in Tucumcari.
Cremation has taken place.
Burial will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver.
Arrangements are by Dunn Funeral Home in Tucumcari.
Vera Murphey, 85
Dr. Vera E. Murphey, 85, of Portales, died Sunday, Nov. 28, 2004, at Roosevelt General Hospital in Portales.
She was born on Nov. 5, 1919, in O’Donnell, Texas, to John and Lydia Randle.
She graduated from Portales High School in 1937. She married Paul B. Murphey on May 24, 1941, in Washington, D.C. She graduated from Eastern New Mexico Junior College (now ENMU) in 1939, and received a bachelor of science degree from New Mexico A&M (now New Mexico State University) in 1941. She moved to Portales in 1951.
She taught home economics at Portales Junior High School from 1955-1959 and joined the ENMU home economics department in the fall of 1959. She received a master’s degree from ENMU, and was awarded a doctorate of education from Oklahoma State University in 1968. She was named chairman of the ENMU department of economics and held that position until her retirement in 1979.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and three brothers, John, Alvin, and Grady Randle.
Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Pattie Donovan of Pueblo, Colo.; a son, Mike Murphey of Spokane, Wash.; a niece, Carolyn Brown of Phoenix; two brothers, George Randle of Placitas, and Walter Randle of Durango, Colo.; four grandchildren, Bryan and Patrick Murphey, both of Spokane, Wash., Erin Donovan of York, Pa., and Molly Donovan of Durham, N.C.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church in Portales. The Rev. Harry Riser will officiate the services.
Burial will be at the Portales Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Bill Wood, Al Bettina, Bill Dalley, Walter “Cotton” Clark, Vern Witten and Walter Randle.
Honorary pallbearers are Morris Wood, Jack Carr, Herbert LeMay and Farrell Odom.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of Eastern Foundation, ENMU, Portales 88130.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
