Palmer, Emily Jean – Eunice Girl Dies in Wreck
Funeral services were held in Fort Worth this week for Emily Jean Palmer, 14, Eunice high school band member who was killed in an automobile accident returning from the El Paso Sun Carnival last week.
She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Palmer of Eunice. Mr. Palmer is a driller for the Two States Drilling Company.
Other occupants of the car, which was driven by W. H. Turner of Eunice, brother of Elmer Turner of Jal, were only slightly injured. The accident was a collision between the car and a truck.
[Jal Flare, Jal, NM, 12 Jan 1939.]
Payne, N. B. – Texas Young Man is Killed By Auto Crash
N. B. Payne, aged 32, died at 1 o’clock Monday morning, at the General Hospital in Hobbs, following an automobile accident several hours earlier.
Death resulted from internal injuries.
The accident happened on the Hobbs-Lovington road, when a car driven by the deceased struck soft dirt and turned turtle. Two other occupants of the car were injured, one a sister of the deceased.
The victim of the accident was a son of Dr. Payne of Tatum, and was here from Texas visiting his parents.
The body was taken to the Yarbro mortuary in Lovington.
[Hobbs News, Hobbs, New Mexico. 28 Dec 1934.]
Pope, T. D. – Lovington Pioneer Buried
T. D. Pope, Lovington oldtimer, was buried at 2 p.m. Thursday afternoon in the Antioch cemetery following services at the Smith-Yarbro chapel with Gernie Atkinson, minister of the Church of Christ officiating.
Mr. Pope passed away Wednesday morning at the age of 89. He had lived in Lea county for 33 years. His body was buried by the side of Mrs. Pope who passed away 22 years ago.
Survivors include six children, O. A. Pope, Mrs. J. R. Fort, Miss Bettie Lou Pope of Lovington, A. T. Pope of Santa Paula, Calif., B. H. Pope of Mena, Ark., and Mrs. J. M. Gardner of Hobbs.
Thirteen grandchildren [Names omitted].
[Lovington Leader, Lovington, NM. 29 Nov 1940.]
Ramsey, Pearl Lee –
Pearl Lee Ramsey, 90, formerly of Amarillo, of Honey Grove, died Tuesday, July 20, 2004, in Paris.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street, with James Baker, elder, officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery.
Mrs. Ramsey was born Sept. 9, 1913, in Lea County, N.M., the eighth child of Millie Jane Puckett Williams and Cameron Haughton Williams. At an early age, the family moved back to West Texas, near Lubbock, where she attended Center School.
She married David Melvin Ramsey on July 13, 1930. Their residence was in Amarillo for many years, and after the death of her husband in 1985, she moved to Honey Grove. Mrs. Ramsey was a member of Paris Primitive Baptist Church, a homemaker and an accomplished quilt maker.
She was preceded in death by her parents; seven brothers; two sisters; two daughters, Patricia Janice Ramsey and Joyce (Mrs. Robert) Johnson; and a son, Buck Ramsey.
Survivors include her children, Wanda Pirtle of Austin, Charles Ramsey and wife, Jean, of Austin and San Francisco, Ellen Watson and husband, Garfield, and Sylvia Askew and husband, Mark, all of Honey Grove, and Bette Ramsey and Robert W. Johnson, both of Amarillo; a sister, Elsie McDaniel and husband, Bud, of Amarillo; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be her six grandsons.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.
[Amarillo Globe-News, Amarillo, Texas, 22 Jul 2004.]
(Note: Pearl, born in Tatum, New Mexico, was the mother of cowboy poet and singer Buck Ramsey.)
Record, Henry S. – Lea County Pioneer Dies
Henry Record of Monument, died at 9:27 p.m. Tuesday at Lea General Hospital in Hobbs. He had been ill for some time.
The early settler in Lea County was affectionately called “Uncle” by almost everyone who knew him. He first came to what is now Lea County by pack mule in 1890.
Tentative plans for the funeral are Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m., the First Baptist Church in Hobbs, with Wm. (Billy) Beauchamp, retired Methodist minister, officiating.
Burial will be in Lovington cemetery by the side of his wife.
Griffin Funeral Home in Hobbs is in charge of arrangements.
[Lovington Leader, Lovington, NM. 28 Feb 1962.]
Richardson, Granville A. – Former Judge Dies At An Advanced Age
Dispatches announce the death, Thursday, of Granville A. Richardson, former judge of this judicial district, and for a quarter-century a practicing attorney at Roswell. He was one of the pioneers of Pecos Valley, and for many years a prominent democrat of New Mexico. He was a resident of the state since 1884.
The late Judge Richardson resigned as judge of third district about 18 months ago, owing to failing health. He is survived by his widow and one son.
[Hobbs News, Hobbs, NM. 3 Aug 1934.]
Robinson, Emma – Funeral Services Conducted for Emma Robinson
Funeral services were held yesterday for Mrs. Emma J. Robinson, Lovington resident since 1909 in the First Methodist Church of Lovington.
Mrs. Robinson died about 3 a.m. Wednesday morning in her home from a sudden stroke. She had been in bad health for the past few years but was not confined to the bed.
She was born July 8, 1874. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred J. Robinson, who died in January of 1946 at 80 years of age, and a son, Herman Robinson, who was accidentally killed while working on a power line in Colorado in the early 1940s.
Mr. and Mrs. Robinson moved to Lovington 40 years ago. Mrs Robinson was a charter member of the First Methodist church and a charter member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
The funeral services were conducted by Reverend W. M. Beauchamp in the Methodist church. Rev. Beauchamp was assisted by Reverend Robert Houston, pastor of the Methodist church.
Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. J. C. Crowley and Mrs. Arch York, both of Lovington; two sons, James Robinson and Phil Robinson, also of Lovington.
Mrs Robinson was a Life member of the Lovington chapter of the Eastern Star and a guest matron. She was also a charter member of the Methodist Home Mission which is now the Women’s Society of Christian service.
[Lovington Leader, Lovington, NM. 21 Oct 1949.]
Runnels, Harold L. – Runnels Eulogized As ‘Great Leader’
Lovington (AP) – U. S. Rep. Harold Runnels was buried Friday in this southeastern New Mexico oil and gas community where he launched a political career that spanned 20 years.
Runnels, a New Mexico Democrat who was elected to the state Senate in 1960, was eulogized Friday as a man of integrity and a great leader as 2,000 people crowded into the Lovington High School auditorium to pay tribute to the five-term congressman.
Runnels died early Tuesday of respiratory failure in Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in New York. He was 56.
The Pannell Auditorium was lined with flowers, and a six foot cross of white carnations stood on the stage above Runnels’ flag-draped casket.
Members of the audience, which included high -ranking federal, state and local officials, wiped tears from their eyes as District Judge C. Fincher Neal of Hobbs termed Runnels “a humble man with humble beginnings.”
Neal said, “In the halls of congress, he was one of the most informed men on the oil and gas industry.”
After Runnels moved to New Mexico in 1951, he established Runnels Mud Co., which resulted in his nickname of “Mud” and the RunCo Acidizing and Fracturing Co. He sold RunCo last year to Dresser and Atlas.
President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalyn sent a letter to Runnels’ wife, Dorothy, expressing condolences.
U. S. Rep. Sam Hall, D-Texas, told the audience, “Your presence here today is proof of the affection you held for the man and his memory, Harold Runnels.”
Hall said a woman elevator operator at the Capitol in Washington, D. C., summed up the prevailing sentiments about Runnels when she said, “Everybody loved him.”
Hall said that he saw Runnels shortly before his death and that one of his last conscious remarks was that Hall give the elevator woman a brooch. The brooch said, “Try God.”
Hall also said, “I don’t know of any person who had the love, respect and admiration of the Congress as did Harold Runnels.”
The Rev. Ed Scarborough of Wolfforth, Texas, the family’s former pastor, called Runnels “one of the great men that God has shared with us to lead us in a time of great need.”
The Rev. Billy Foster of Bayard said Runnels was probably the most important man I’ve ever known.” He said Runnels made the people he met feel they were important.
Runnels’ casket was placed in a white hearse, which led a long procession of cars to the Rest Haven Memorial Gardens, about three miles from the auditorium.
A member of Masonic Lodge covered Runnels’ casket with a sheepskin apron, saying it represented innocence. An evergreen sprig signifying immortality also was laced on the casket.
A Navy Ceremonial Guard gave a 21-gun salute and played taps.
The graveside was decorated with numerous flower wreaths, including one that said “From the Navajo Nation.”…
[Santa Fe New Mexican, Santa Fe, NM, 9 Aug 1980.]
Rushing, James Leon – Services Today For Rig Accident Victim
A 34 year old Lovington oil field worker plunged 95 feet to his death Monday in a rig accident near Tatum.
James Leon Rushing, 34, was employed on a Forster Drilling Co. rig 15 miles west and six miles north of Tatum at the time of the fatal mishap.
Fellow workers said that Rushing lost his balance while working in derricks in the rig’s crow’s nest, slipped and fell nearly 100 feet to death. Witnesses said the victim landed on his back and died instantly.
An inquest was held at the office of Justice of the Peace Virginia Pior in Tatum Monday. The death was ruled by accidental fall by a coroner’s jury.
The body was transported to Smith-Yarbro Funeral Home for arrangements.
Rushing has resided in Lovington for several years. He is survived by his wife, Annelliese Rushing [address omitted].
Other survivors are his mother, Mrs. Orbin Rushing, sister, Mrs. Eulene Pierce, both of Hobbs, and a brother, Billy Ray Rushing of Odessa.
Services will be at 3 p.m. today in Smith-Yarbro Chapel with the Rev. J. Harold Cates, pastor of the First Methodist Church, officiating.
Services will also be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the First Baptist Church in Lamesa, Texas. Burial will be in Lamesa Memorial Park.
[Lovington Daily Leader, Lovington, NM. 10 Oct, 1964.]
Sawyer, Dessie Lewis –
Dessie Lewis Sawyer was born in Rusk, Texas, and attended school in Brownfield.
She married Uyless Devoe Sawyer, and they moved to New Mexico in 1916. They founded the Crossroads Ranch near Tatum in 1924. He preceded her in death on December 22, 1966.
She was survived by two daughters, Fern Sawyer of Nogal, N.M. and Myrl Sawyer Good of Roswell.
Dessie Sawyer was inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in 1981.
Dessie was National Democratic Committeewoman and New Mexico’s best known political figure for years, but she was first a rancher. She and her husband U.D. moved onto their ranch in 1928. With sheer determination and hard work, they paid off the mortgage on the ranch while the country struggled through the Depression. Dessie’s work in community activities and public affairs led her into the national political arena because, as Dessie put it, “that’s where the fun is.”
[Hobbs News-Sun, Hobbs, NM. 30 Aug 1990.]
Sawyer, Fern –
She died in the saddle, with her boots on.
Nogal area rancher Fern Sawyer, 76, died Saturday while riding horses with friends near San Antonio, Texas.
The rancher and famous cowgirl was buried in Tatum Tuesday, following a service at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Roswell.
According to a report in Wednesday’s edition of the Roswell Daily Record, many of Sawyer’s friends, including Gov. Bruce King and his wife Alice, attended the service.
Fern’s friend Peter Holt delivered the eulogy, and recalled Fern’s last day. Fern went riding with about 12 other riders herding about 40 heifers. Holt said she was laughing and telling stories, even teasing Holt about falling off his horse earlier.
While riding Fern told another rider that she was feeling tired, then put her head down on the horse and died.
“She died on the saddle surrounded by friends.” Holt was quoted as saying.
Sawyer was born May 17, 1917, in Buchanan, New Mexico to Uyless Devoe Sawyer and Dessie Lewis Sawyer. She was well known for her cowgirl’s abilities and was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and the National Cutting Horse Hall of Fame. She won the All-Around World Champion Cowgirl title in 1938 and the Cutting Horse World Champion title in 1947.
Sawyer served as Lincoln County Democratic Party Chairman for several years.
Survivors include her sister Myrl Sawyer Good of Roswell; a nephew T. J. Good III of Chama; niece Candace Good Jacobson of Ruidoso; one great-nephew and three great-nieces.
The Rev. Robert L. Williams officiated the services in Roswell. “Amazing Grace” was sung by the friends and family gathered in Fern’s honor.
Pallbearers for the service were Scharbauer Ward, Jesus Elizondo, Pete Thompson, Jimmy Parsons, Lloyd Davis, Greg Duggar, T. J. Good, Paul Bond and Mike Cervi.
[Lincoln County News, Carrizozo, NM. 21 Oct 1993.]
Sawyer, Uyless Devoe –
Friends and acquaintances of Mr. and Mrs. U. D. Sawyer of Crossroads were saddened by the death of Mr. Sawyer last week. Our sympathy goes to his wife, daughters and other relatives.
[Lincoln County News, Carrizozo, NM. 29 Dec 1966]
Scott, Arthur Theodore – Funeral Services Held Here For Arthur T. Scott
Funeral services were held Saturday for Arthur Theodore Scott, one of Lea County’s early settlers, with the new Church of Christ pastor, Carnie Atkisson, presiding.
Services were held in the Smith-Yarbro chapel at 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
Arthur Theodore Scott was born at Gonzalez, Texas, June 15, 1876. He was ill and confined to bed for the greater part of the last two years. He died October 21 in his home here in Lovington from the lingering illness.
Survivors include his wife, Willie Belle Scott, and three children, Mrs. Florine Henderson from Amarillo, Texas, and Sue and Eddie Ray Scott who are still living at home. A brother Ed Scott was present for the funeral services.
Pallbearers were Berry Black, O. E. “Slim” Lewis, Coley Hunt, Wandel Wilks, B. H. Joplin and L. B. Gill.
[Lovington Leader, Lovington, NM. 25 Oct 1949.]
Seay, Mary Ellen – Seay
Mrs. Mary Ellen Seay, a resident of Rangely, Colo., died there Wednesday morning. She was a former resident of Albuquerque. She is survived by her husband, Mr. Thomas W. (Jack) Seay, one sister, Mrs. Sally Parks and one brother, Wayne Little, both of Stinnett, Tex. She was a past president of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of George O. Breece No. 401 VFW, and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Strong-Thorne Mortuary.
[Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque, N.M. 3 Nov 1951.]
Seay, Thomas W. (Jack) – Jack Seay Dies, Former Resident
Thomas W. (Jack) Seay, 61, a former resident of Albuquerque, died in Denver, Colo., following a heart attack.
He had been visiting in Rangely, Colo., from his present home in El Centro, Calif.
A rancher and former tourist court owner here, Mr. Seay was a member of the local Elks lodge and American Legion.
He is survived by a brother, Jack Seay, Odessa, Tex., and a sister, Miss Buena Seay, Denver.
The body will be brought here for funeral and burial. Arrangements will be announced by Strong-Thorne Mortuary.
[Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque, N.M. 21 Oct 1953.]
Shanks, Bowman – Hobbs Man Found Dead In Home
The body of Bowman Shanks, 51, of Hobbs, was found early Saturday morning in a small house at the corner of Gypsy and First streets.
Alfred Lawson, who worked with Shanks, came by to get the man to go to work, and found the body. He called the police and immediately Patrolman Ed McCain and Undersheriff Charlie Trimbell went to the scene.
Trimbell said Shanks was lying on his stomach, just off the bed, when he arrived. He said there was no sign of foul play, and no marks or abrasions on the body. He also stated that relatives of the man said he had been suffering from chronic heart ailment and had been under a doctor’s care for a considerable period.
Otis Coleman, one of the first to reach the scene of the death, said he found Shanks doubled up near the end of the bed and on his left side. Smelling gas, Coleman thought perhaps the man had been gassed, and tried to revive him. He said that accounted for Trimblell and McCain finding the man lying on his stomach. The gas had been turned on, and it was Coleman’s opinion that he had tried to light the stove, and perhaps suffered an attack, and fell there.
Valdean McAdams, who examined the body at a funeral home, said there were no marks or abrasions, other than a small bruise on the forehead, and it was very slight. It was not considered enough to be fatal.
A coroner’s jury returned a verdict of death by natural causes at the inquest. Those on the jury were Joe Tom Draper, Otis Coleman, Major Montgomery, C. Faulkner and Larry King.
Shanks is survived by a daughter, Mrs. T. B. Owen of Hobbs, three sons, Tom, Benny Boyce, and Foy Monroe of Hobbs; three sisters, Myrtle Rall of Greenville, Texas, Donna Butler of Anson, Texas, and Mary Ferguson of California. Three brothers, Harrison Shanks of Celeste, Texas, Max Shanks of Greenville, Texas and Basom Shanks of Washington, D. C.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday with interment in Prairie Haven Cemetery, Hobbs. Rev. Bill Carter will read the services. The body is at Griffins Funeral Home.
[Lovington Leader, Lovington, NM. 8 Nov 1949.]
Shortes, Mary Sue Power – Mary Sue Shortes Services Wednesday
Mrs. Mary Sue Shortes, 66 years of age, died early Sunday morning at the Methodist Hospital in Lubbock, Tx. following an extended illness. Mrs. Shortes was born July 18, 1918 in Lovington, the daughter of Dick and Mary Eaves Powr, pioneer citizens of Lovington.
She was educated in the Lovington Public Schools and was a graduate of Lovington High School, class of 1936. She received her bachelor’s degree from Texas State College for Women in Denton, Tx., her masters degree from Eastern New Mexico University and pursued advanced degree work at the University of New Mexico.
During World War II, she was employed by the State Department in Washington, D. C. She retired from teaching in the Quemado Public Schools in 1983.
Mrs. Shortes was a member of the First Methodist Church where she was actively involved in the UMW and the Wednesday and Thursday morning Bible Study Groups. She was a member of the A. A. U. W., the Retired Teacher’s Association, the Senior Citizens Group and the PInk Lady Auxiliary at the Hospital.
She is survived by one son, Ron, of El Paso, Tx., a sister, Mrs. Jean Benson of Bellevue, Washington and a brother, Richard H. “Sonny” Power of Lovington, by three grandchildren [names omitted].
Funeral services for Mrs. Shortes will be conducted Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Bob Harrison, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Lovington Cemetery with the following serving as casketbearers: Bill Quarles, Cliff Key, Leon Binkley, A. E. “Sparky” Fairweather, Gail Power and Jack Power. Honorary escorts will be Damon Shipp, Leroy Peveler, Jimmy Henry, Clarence Wallace, members of the Methodist Men’s Group, Dr. Roy Sheffield, Lee Pennington and Kenneth Hobbs.
Flowers are not omitted, however, memorials may be made to the memorial fund of the First United Methodist Church or the Pannell-Burt Scholarship Fund.
[Lovington Leader, Lovington, NM, 31 Dec 1984. Submitted by David L. Minton.]
Shortes, V. M. –
BIG SPRING, Texas – Funeral services for V. M. Shortes of Hobbs will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 22, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel in Big Spring.
The Rev. Walter Driver, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Ackerly, Texas, will officiate.
Mr. Shortes, 78, died June 19 in San Angelo, Texas. He was born June 18, 1916, in Duncan, Okla.
He had been a resident of Lea County since 1939. He was a rancher.
Survivors include one son, Ron Shortes of Austin, Texas; one sister, Zula Coleman of Ackerly; one brother, Vernon Shortes of Ackerly; three grandchildren; one niece and three nephews.
[Hobbs News Sun, Hobbs, NM, 22 Jun 1993. Submitted by David L. Minton.]
Smalley, Blackie – Blackie Smalley Dies in Arkansas Jail
Blackie Smalley, 45, who was taken from Carlsbad to Mena, Arkansas, last week, to answer robbery charges, died Saturday at the Mena jail.
W. E. Jones, sheriff at Mena, stated that Smalley became ill shortly after his arrival there Wednesday. Smalley is survived by his wife, a sister of Adam Richetti.
Smalley was arrested here by Officer Kerley, several weeks ago, and fought extradition by filing habeas corpus proceedings at Carlsbad. Judge McGhee denied the plea.
Smalley was identified by Mrs. Sallie Graves, 67 year old native Arkansan, as the man who robbed her of $2,000, her life’s savings, near Cole, Ark., in 1933.
[Hobbs News, Hobbs, New Mexico. 22 Mar 1935.]
Smith, Raymond Lloyd – Funeral Services For Youth Killed At Malaga
Funeral services were conducted Thursday at Carlsbad for Raymond Lloyd Smith, 21 year old youth who was killed [in an accident involving] a ditch digging machine near Malaga last Wednesday.
He had been working with a crew when he was caught in the machinery and instantly killed at 1 a. m. Wednesday morning. The youth had come from Kermit, Texas six weeks ago and had worked in both Carlsbad and Malaga before the accident occurred. He was well known in both Jal and Kermit.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Smith of Kermit survive him as do two brothers, Claude Smith of Borger, Texas, and Almon H. Smith, Jr. of Kermit and a sister, Mrs. Sidney Braddock of Borger.
Interment was at Carlsbad.
[Jal Flare, Jal, NM. 29 Aug 1940.]
Stetson, Frank – County Pioneer Dies Near Hobbs
Services for Frank Stetson, pioneer cowhand and rancher, will be at 2 p.m. today in the Roberts Chapel in Hobbs, with burial in Prairie Haven Cemetery. Rev. Alfred Pace, Pastor of Southern Heights Methodist Church in Hobbs, will officiate.
Mr. Stetson came to what is now Lea County from the Abilene area in West Texas. He was 86 years old when he died Sunday evening at his home in Hobbs.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Lucy Stetson; two daughters, Mrs. R. E. Carter of Ruidoso, and Mrs William Dufer of Hobbs; four grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
Honorary pallbearers Leon Beard, Dee Board, Virgil Cross, Warren Breckon, Robert Rains, George Neal, Otho Bilbo, Walter Linam, Virgil Linam, W. T. Perry, J. C. Byers, Bud Nelson, Dude Browning, Tom Bell, Fidel Trujillo, Robert Dow and Seth Alston.
[Lovington Daily Leader, Lovington, NM, 3 Nov 1959.]
Stroupe, Maida Jeanne – Funeral Services Held For Stroup Baby
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 3:30 p. m., in the Cooper Cemetery for Maida Jeanne, the infant daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Miller Stroup. The baby was born Monday, Feb. 10, in the Fenner Price Memorial Hospital in Hobbs and only lived a short while. Rev. Albert Tucker who is pastor of the Methodist Church of Hobbs, officiated.
[Jal Flare, Jal, New Mexico. 20 Feb 1947.]
Tatum, James Green – James Green Tatum Is Taken by Death
James Green Tatum, 73-year-old founder of Tatum, N. M. died early yesterday in a local hospital after an illness of three months. Mr. Tatum’s home was in Tatum where he was a retired merchant and a large property owner.
Survivors are three daughters and one son, Miss Patricia Ann Tatum of California, Miss Mariam Tatum and Mrs. Mary James Sawyer of Lubbock.
Mr. Tatum was a member of the Episcopal Church and the Masonic Lodge.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 o’clock this afternoon at Boxwell Brothers’ Funeral Chapel with Rev. Frederick A. Foster officiating.
The body will be sent to Macon, Miss. for burial in the family plot.
[Amarillo Daily News, Amarillo, TX, 13 Mar 1944.]
Taylor, Mrs. H. N. – Final Rites for Mrs. Taylor
Mrs. H. N. Taylor passed away December 1 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Henry French of Lovington. Mrs. Taylor was originally from Portales but had for the past several years been living in Lovington with her daughter.
Mrs. Taylor was 79 years old at the time of her death. Funeral services were held Saturday in Dora with Rev. Randall, pastor of the Portales Church of Christ officiating.
Interment was in the Portales cemetery beside her husband who passed away a few months ago.
[Lovington Leader, Lovington, NM. 6 Dec 1949.]
Taylor, Roy W. – Roy W. Taylor Died Tuesday At Lubbock
Roy W. Taylor, 39, [address omitted] passed away at a Lubbock hospital Tuesday, December 20. He was born August 21, 1910 in Hobbs.
He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Johnnie Taylor, and one son, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Taylor.
Tentative funeral arrangements have been set for 2 p.m. Friday at the Church of Christ, T. H. Tarbett, minister, officiating. Interment will follow at the Lovington cemetery.
[Lovington Leader, Lovington, New Mexico. 23 Dec 1949.]
Townsend, Oscar Norton – Card of Gratitude
It is with the deepest gratitude that we offer our thanks and endeavor to express our appreciation to our many friends one and all who, with such thoughtful kindness helped us to bear the sad and bitter sorrow we have just passed through in the loss of one so near and dear to us.
His beloved wife, Mrs. Norton Townsend; two little sons, Jimmie and Minor; parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Townsend; brothers Charlie Leonard and Jim; and sister, Blanch Townsend.
[Lovington Leader, Lovington, NM, 30 Mar 1917.]
Turner, Melba Gene – One Killed In Wreck At Tatum
Miss Melba Gene Turner, 16, was killed instantly in an accident Saturday night 10 miles east of Tatum on the Bronco highway.
Miss Turner received severe head injuries, and there was no doubt but that she was killed instantly.
She is the daughter of Forrest N. Turner, [address omitted] of Hobbs, and was born March 15 at Blossom, Texas.
She is survived by her father, two sisters, Mrs. Louella Waltman and Miss Elloise Turner, two brothers, Randall and Travis Turner.
Funeral services were held at Griffin’s Funeral chapel, Monday afternoon at 2 pm., with T. H. Tarbet, minister of the Church of Christ, officiating. Burial was in Prairie Haven Cemetery.
The car in which Miss Turner met her death was driven by M. F. Cunningham of Denver City and belonged to M. C. McDonald, a Tatum barber.
The other four occupants of the car were injured and received treatment at the Hobbs General hospital, Dolores Raye Cheek, 15, was released from the hospital Monday. She received severe cuts and bruises.
Lloyd Cunningham of Tatum suffered a fractured shoulder blade. Billy Joe Cunningham was treated for cuts and bruises.
All of the occupants were under 21 years of age. The car was completely demolished.
Another car was approaching, saw the wreck and slammed on his brakes too quickly and turned over, badly wrecking his car, but was able to drive to Tatum.
Another car passed and brought the injured into Tatum. The inquest was held before Judge…[rest of text is missing.]
[Lovington Leader, Lovington, New Mexico, 13 Dec 1949.l
Old Lea County, N.M. 