Roosevelt County Obituaries
Donated by Joyce Gore Locke 1/22/2007
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BLAKELY, VIRGIL

Services: 2:30 p.m. Friday at Dora Baptist Church.
Virgil Blakley, 92, of the Rogers community, died Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2005, at Heartland Continuing Care Center in Portales.
He was born Oct. 8, 1913, in Dickens, Texas. His family moved by covered wagon to Capitan in 1919. They moved to the Rogers community in 1921. He graduated from Rogers High School in 1932.
He married Mary McCary March 11, 1933, in Portales. He farmed in Rogers until 1980 when he retired. He was an active member of the Dora Baptist Church where he served as deacon for 40 years. He taught the men’s Bible class for more than 25 years.
Family members said he was an avid reader, enjoyed hunting and fishing, and riding his motorcycle.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Delbert and Doyle Blakley; and daughter, Lura Deen Blakley, who died in 1934.
He is survived by his wife; a son, Duane Blakley (and wife, Pat) of Hot Springs Village, Ark.; two grandchildren, Cara Lea Smith and Christopher Blakley; a great-grandchild, Ashley Smith; three sisters, Joyce Fraze of Portales, Thelma Graves of Elida and Ruby Vardeman of Albuquerque.
The family will visit with friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Wheeler Mortuary.
The Rev. Butch Schneider will officiate.
Burial will take place in Mount Zion Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Elmer Reed, Dennis Tollett, Chester Harth, Kerry Victor, Terry Varnell, Gene Massey, Randy Davis and Barry Walker.
Honorary pallbearers are Rodney Thetford, Wayne Tollett, J.B. Bates, Kenneth Victor, Wayne Victor, Donald Wilcher and J.T. Toombs, along with all of his other many friends.
Memorial contributions may be sent to either the New Mexico Baptist Children’s Home or the New Mexico Boys Ranch.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
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BLEDSOE, ROBERT LEE
Robert Lee Bledsoe was born 17 May 1881 Fort Griffin, TX, the oldest of eight children of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Bledsoe, a pioneer rancher of Lubbock County, TX, and died 15 Oct 1964. He married in March 1916 to Pearle Boatner, and had two daughters.
Robert Bledsoe came to the area now known as Lingo, NM, in 1900 and bought forty acres of land with water rights for his five thousand sheep, which he brought from Texas, to graze on the open range. In 1906 he bought land near Arch for grazing.
Since the territory was open range, he spent many hours in the saddle. He thought nothing of working hard all day, good or bad weather, then going into Portales for the fun of it. Playing poker with his buddies and dancing with the ladies, returning to his headquarters by sunup, ready for another day's work.
After several years the land was sold and he ranched in Lubbock County until 1947 when he and Pearle bought the former Boyd Ranch eight miles East of Rogers. They lived there until their deaths in the early 1960s.
His father, W. E. Bledsoe, was born in Bledsoe, TN, where he served in the Civil War. His mother, Lillie SMITH, was born in Trigg, KY where her father also served in the Civil war.
Pearle BOATNER, wife of Robert Lee Bledsoe, was born in Elliot, Texas in 1886 and died in Rogers, NM 07 Oct 1961. She was the daughter of R. H. Boatner (b Drew Co, AR, d 1939 Dallas, TX) and Bette FULLBRIGHT (b AR, d 1918 Palo Pinto, TX).
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BROWN, MARY JANE BRUMFIELD
Mary Brown, 72, a lifelong resident of Dora, died Friday morning, April 21, 1995, at Methodist Hospital in Lubbock, Texas.
Born to Carrie and William B. Brumfield on April 3, 1923 in Dora. Mrs. Brown was reared and spent her entire life there. She left school at an early age because of her mother's poor health and helped raise her younger brothers and sisters.
She was trained as a practical nurse by Dr. Brazell and received her nursing certificate. Through the years she helped in many people's homes during times of illness or at the birth of children.
She met Frank Brown shortly after he came to Dora in l940. They were married and for three years they lived on a farm west of Dora. In 1949, they moved to their farm south of Dora which remained her home until her death.
Mrs. Brown had a very deep sense of family and was always devoted to the members of both her family and Mr. Brown's.
She helped him in the operation of their dairy for many years, and after his death and continued to keep a few head of cattle until only a very short time ago.
She was a devoted member of the Dora Church of Christ.
Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Wayne Carpenter of Portales; four grandchildren, Amie, Luke, Matthew and Jack Carpenter; four brothers, John Brumfield, George Brumfield, Jim Brumfield and Ray Brumfield, all of Portales.
Also surviving are three sisters, Edith Carter of Las Cruces, Ruth Drum of Las Cruces and Addie Fulfer of Kennewidk,Wash.
Mrs. Brown was preceded in death by both parents; a brother Frank Brumfield,who died as a child, one sister, Alice Light; and her husband, Frank Brown, who died July 2, 1993.
A funeral service will be held Monday at 10:00 a.m. at the Dora Church of Christ with Rod Forbes, minister of Dora Church of Christ, assisted by Benny Brumfield, officiating. Burial will be in Mr. Zion Cemetery under the direction of Wheeler Montuary.
Pallbearers will be Lester Shirley, Bobby Gresham, Pancho Chavez, Ricky Brumfield, Mickey Burkett and Adrian Stroup. All friends and neighbors are honorary pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to the New Mexico Christian Children's Home.
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BROWN, PAULINE TIDWELL
Services: 2 p.m. Wednesday at Steed-Todd Chapel in Clovis.
Pauline Brown, 88, of Clovis, died Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005, at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis.
She was born Nov. 19, 1917, in Ranger, Texas, to Jack and Ruby Scarborough Tidwell.
She had been a longtime Clovis resident and had worked as a beautician at Kirby's Beauty Shop in Portales.
Family members said she loved to go to church and be with her friends. She was a member of Kingswood United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Tommy Brown; and brothers, Gaston, Durrell and Orlin.
Survivors include her sisters, Audry Bedell of Odessa, Texas, Betty Wesberry of Mesquite, Texas, and Mary Jouett of Oklahoma City; and numerous nieces and nephews
Rev. Brad Reeves is officiating.
Cremation has taken place.
Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis.
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BRUMFIELD, WILLIAM B
William Bayless Brumfield was born 13 Jan 1890 Jetmore, KS and died 16 May 1983 Portales, NM. He married Carrie NILHAS 09 May 1920 Jetmore, KS. Carrie was born 10 Jun 1896. They had ten children:
Edith May Brumfield m. John C. PARK and had 4 ch
Mary Jane Brumfield m. Frank H. Brown and had 1 ch
Ruth Ann Brumfield m. Lewis Duane DRUM and had 8 ch
John Mike Brumfield m. Sue DEVER and had 2 ch
Frank Lee Brumfield
George Herbert Brumfield m. Shirley COOPER and had 9 ch
Ester Alice Brumfield m. Milton L. LIGHT and had 4 ch
Jim Louis Brumfield m. Rita VICK and had 8 ch
Addie Brumfield m. Jerry FULFER and had 3 ch
Ray Don Brumfield m. Ann GILBERT and had 2 ch
William B. Brumfield was a farmer and stockman in Hodgeman County, Kansas before coming to Dora, NM to homestead in 1911. He came to New Mexico with two horses hitched to a buggy, spending most nights along the way as a guest in farm houses, and sometimes in wagon yards. In Roosevelt County he stayed with Jay W. Thompson who helped him locate his homestead three miles southwest of Dora. He was very active in the Church of Christ, which had recently been established northwest of Dora.
William returned to Kansas in 1920 where he married a neighbor girl, Carrie Nilhas. She was the daughter of Michael NILHAS (b 17 Jul 1858 Germany, d 1939 Jetmore, KS) and Mary JOHNSON (b 10 May 1866 KS, d 1940 Jetmore, KS). Carrie's other siblings were Frank and Lucinda Hilhas.
William and Carrie Brumfield moved to his homestead where they raised their family and lived out their remaining years.
William Brumfield farmed 240 of his 320 acres with horses from the 1920s and 1930s. He supplemented his income by milking about 20 Jersey cows, separating the milk and shipping the cream in 10 gallon cans to a creamery in Raton, NM. He also kept between 500-1000 White Leghorn chickens, and sold the eggs.
In 1919 William made an excellent wheat crop, and in 1920 built a new family home made of white limestone rock, mixed with cement. The walls were nine inches thick, making the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It had a large room upstairs which helped accommodate his large family.
William Bayless Brumfield was the son of John E. Brumfield and Martha Jane BAYLESS (dau of George Washington Bayless and Nancy Sentney KIRBY).
Ray C. Brumfield was writing a book on the Brumfield and allied lines, and expected to publish in 1962. We have no information on whether this was done or not.
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CARTER, ELIZABETH McCLAIN
Mrs. Elizabeth Carter, 92, of Portales, died Friday, April 29, 2005, at Heartland Continuing Care Center in Portales.
She was born on April 16, 1913, in Elida, to Zadie and Charles McClain.
She grew up on a ranch south of Taiban. She married Louis Carter in 1930. In 1964 they moved to Portales. She was a member of the Westside Baptist Church. Family members said she enjoyed cooking, especially baking.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Charlie McClain; a set of twins, Joe Merle and Zelma Pearl Carter; and her husband, Louis Carter, who died March 9, 1995.
Survivors include two sons, Eugene Carter (and wife, Linda) of Roswell and Charlie Carter of Las Vegas, Nev.; four daughters, Frances Northcutt of Hobbs, Louise Southern of Elida, and Violet Southern and Elaine Walker (Rob), all of Portales; 19 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
The Rev. James Terry will officiate the services.
Honorary pallbearers are family members and friends.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
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CARTER, ERNEST L
Services: 10 a.m. Saturday in Mount Zion Cemetery
Mr. Ernest L. Carter, 57, of Portales, died Saturday, Aug. 27, 2005, at his home.
He was born Sept. 25, 1947, in Portales to Ruby and Harold Carter.
He grew up in Portales and attended Portales schools. He was employed at the OK Tire Store in Portales for several years. He worked as a truck driver for Associated Milk Producers Inc. and Milk Transport Services.
He was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Bonnie Southern, and his mother, Ruby Carter.
Survivors include two sons, Ernest Carter Jr. and Johnny Carter, both of Pottsboro, Texas; two grandchildren; his father, Harold Carter of Portales; a brother, Billy Carter of Pottsboro, Texas; and a sister, Mary Dawson of Portales.
Ricky Wilcher will officiate the services.
Honorary pallbearers will be Ernest Carter Jr., Johnny Carter, Billy Carter, Derril Turner and Arvin Gilman.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
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CARTER, EUGENE
Eugene "Gene" Carter, 67, of Roswell, died Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006, at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center.
He was born March 8, 1938, in Portales, to Louis and Elizabeth McClain Carter. He married Linda Woody on Sept. 16, 1991, in Roswell. He was a paint contractor and owned and operated the Gene Carter Airless Repair. He served in the U.S. Army and was a member of the 82nd Airborne Battalion.
Family members said he loved riding motorcycles.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother; and a sister.
Survivors include his wife; two brothers, Danny Carter of Phoenix, Ariz., and Bobby Carter (and wife, Virginia) of Oklahoma City, Okla.; four daughters, Delores Rutledge (David) of Stanwood, Wash., Gail Carter (Taylor Turner) of Roswell, and Gloria Gallegos and Shelly Gallegos (Joseph Sandoval), both of Clovis; a brother, Charlie Carter of Las Vegas, Nev.; four sisters, Louise Southern and Frances Northcutt, both of Elida, Elaine Walker and Violet Southern, both of Portales; 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
The Rev. Tulley H. Lee conducted the service.
The Roswell Veterans Honor Guard provided military honors.
Arrangements are by LaGrone Funeral Chapel in Roswell.
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CLARK, HERMAN C
Herman C. Clark, 88, of Portales, died Tuesday, May 25, 2004, at Laurel Ridge Nursing Home in Clovis.
He was born on Aug. 5, 1915, in Dickens, Texas, to Cora Mae and Man Clark.
He grew up in the Rogers area and graduated from Rogers High School. He attended Eastern New Mexico University in Portales. He married Laverne Gandy on Jan. 25, 1935, in Clovis. He worked for many years in farming and operated a couple of local service stations. Family members said he was an avid gardener, enjoyed fishing and hunting and was a faithful Atlanta Braves fan.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jack Clark; and by his wife, Laverne Clark, who died October 14, 2001.
Survivors include a son, Dudley Clark (and wife, LaDonna) of Gardendale, Texas; a daughter, Fae Swinford (David) of Ruidoso; a brother, Troy Clark of Taylor, Texas; two sisters, Madge Ellerd and Lorene Roberts, both of Portales; four grandchildren, Kelly Hancock, Tracey Harris, April Clark and Venetia Dawn Davison; a great-grandchild, Morgan Davison; and several nieces and nephews.
Kenneth Broad will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Mount Zion Cemetery in Dora.
Honorary pallbearers are Troy, David, Lanoy, Kenneth and Donny Mac Clark, Doug Shafer and Gary Roberts.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Children’s Home, 1356 Hwy 236, Portales, N.M. 88130.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales
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CREEK, WILLIAM HARVE
From the Portales Valley News for May 4, 1933:
William Harve Creek, well known pioneer citizen of Roosevelt County, died suddenly Monday afternoon at the home of his son Roscoe Creek in Portales. Mr. Crfeek had not been well for a day or two and had been told to rest. While visiting at his son's home he started to get up from the bed where he had been lying resting, and dropped unconscious to the floor. Mr. Creek and his family came to Dora in 1906 and homesteaded. Four boys and one daughter were born to his first marriage; Roscoe, John, Mrs. Ruby Morrison, Obannon and Webster. In 1930, Mr. Creek married Mrs. Martha Deatherage, and two boys, Paul and Leory, were born to them. All his children, his wife, and three step-daughters, Mrs. Lillie Johnson, Juanita and Winnie Deatherage survive.
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DUDLEY, LORETTA FAYE SWANN
Services: 6 p.m. Monday at Steed-Todd Chapel.
Mrs. Loretta Faye Dudley, 59, of Clovis died Thursday, Jan. 26, 2006, at her home.
She was born Feb. 11, 1946, in Portales to Clemmons and Annie Capps Swann. She was a longtime resident of Clovis, from Portales as a young girl. She was a member of Prince Street Baptist Church and family members said she loved to water ski.
She was proceded in death by her parents and a sister, Sharon.
She is survived by two sons, Floyd Dudley (and wife, Teresa) and Larry Dudley, all of Clovis; six grandchildren, Trevor and Celeste Dudley, Justin and Sarah Ruther and Jessica and Amber Fulgham; seven sisters, Betty Brown (Dwight) of Reserve, Venoy Price, Marlene Gibson and Evie Thornton (Roy), all of Clovis, Peggy McPherson of Albuquerque, Doris Pijanowski (P.J.) of Bossier City, La., and Eva Gillean of Hugo, Okla.; two brothers, Alvin Swann (Thelma) of Broadview and Paul Swann of Texico, New Mexico; and numerous nieces and nephews
The Rev. Dean Turvaville will officiate services.
Cremation will take place.
Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home.
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EVANS, RUTH LANE
Mrs. Ruth Evans, 61, of Dora, died Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at her home.
She was born on May 30, 1942, in Alma, Okla., to Vera and Walter T. Lane.
She graduated from the Velma-Alma High School in 1960 and went on to study at Oklahoma College for Women in Chickasha, Okla. Following her graduation, she accepted a position as a bookkeeper at Lubbock Christian University. She married Thurston Evans, on Dec. 3, 1966, in Dora. She was active in the community and at Dora Church of Christ. Family members said she could always be counted on to bring one of her coconut cream pies or a wonderful chocolate cake to any church dinner. In 1980, Mrs. Evans became a secretary in the Science Deptartment at Eastern New Mexico University. She retired from that position in July of 2002.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include her husband; a son, Lane Evans (and wife, Angel) of Portales; two daughters, Lynne McLaughlin (Jeff) and Leigh Hays (Kelley), all of Amarillo; three grandchildren, Christopher Bryce and Meagan Alyssa McLaughlin and Hannah Brook Evans; a brother, Walter Lane (Debbie) of Lake Whitney, Texas; a sister, Beth Hatfield (Perry) of Crestview, Fla.
Doug Hale will officiate the services.
Burial will be at Mount Zion Cemetery in Dora.
Pallbearers are Dr. Anthony Genero, Dr. Marvin Lutnesky, Dr. Robert Pierce, Robert Locke Jr., Roy Custer and Mickey Burkett.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
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FORRER, HENRY A
Mr. Henry Forrer, 72, of Lubbock, formerly of Dora, died Wednesday, June 16, 2004, at Bender Terrace Nursing Home in Lubbock.
He was born on Dec. 19, 1931, in Bryan, Texas, to Dollie and Jeff Forrer.
He grew up in the Bryan area. He came to eastern New Mexico in 1962. He married Deana Davis on July 21, 1963. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jeff Forrer; and three sisters.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Mark Forrer (Carmen) of Dalhart, Texas; a daughter, Valarie Watson (Terry) of Pep; eight grandchildren, Patricia Dotson, Tracy Christoff, Teddy Zachary, Sammy Joe Watson, Sadler and Kendra Hair and Robert and Amanda Forrer; four great-grandchildren, Lezley and Kara Dotson, Jarrett Christoff and Faith Elizabeth Forrer; and a brother, Johnny Forrer of Houston.
Troy Wilkie will officiate the services, assisted by Gary Simpson.
Burial will be at Mount Zion Cemetery near Dora.
Pallbearers are Jerry Siewert, Bennie Carty, Mickey Burkett, Teddy Zachary, Eldin Merrick and Randy Lieb.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
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