In Memoriam …
Sidnia Gardner, 63, Carlsbad, passed away on December 18, 2012 at her home. She was born March 3, 1949 in Crane, Texas to Clifton Vernon and Marcel (Shults) Cunningham. She married Ridley Gardner on August 6, 1971. Sidnia taught for 36 years, mostly kindergarten. She loved children, collecting antiques and was a devoted member of Guadalupe Christian Church. She is survived by her husband, Ridley; daughter, Shaundra Norman (husband, Matt), Carlsbad, NM; son, Rowdy, Carlsbad; and five grandchildren.
Delbert Wesley Brown, 91, Portales, a longtime resident of Roosevelt County, died January 5, 2013, at his home. Delbert was born on March 22, 1921, in Velma, Oklahoma, the son of Mary Ethel and Troy Lee Brown. One of ten children, he grew up in Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico, moving with his family to Roosevelt County when he was nine. He attended the Dora schools, served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and earned his high school diploma on the GI Bill. Delbert taught Sunday school for more than 50 years at Calvary Baptist Church, served as a deacon and chaired the building committee for the “new” building constructed in 1964. Based upon the Biblical story of the Good Samaritan, Delbert and his bride of 65 years, Verla, started the “Good Samaritan Fund” that provided assistance to people in need from all faiths and walks of life. Delbert invented and built a self-propelled combine, a double row peanut thresher, and a peanut digger to make his farming operation more efficient. He worked with New Mexico State University to develop the Valencia a peanut. Delbert and Verla constructed and operated Portales Select Peanuts for a decade. Delbert also served as a member of the ASCS Board of Directors, National Peanut Grower’s Group, FHA, and REA. Survivors include wife Verla, children, Glenda Brown Balas, Eva Brown Stevens (husband, Fred); Carolyn Brown (husband, Jerry Zimmermann), Wesley Brown (wife, Linda Miller), and Naida Brown (husband, Michael Termini); 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Anthony “Tony” Treat, 74, Roswell, passed away January 10, 2013 at La Villa Assisted Living. Tony was born October 16, 1938 to Bill and Ramona Treat. He graduated from New Mexico Military Institute in 1957 and from New Mexico State University in 1962 with a degree in Animal Husbandry. While at NMSU Tony met his wife Joyce Maag. Tony was a fourth generation rancher in Chaves and Lincoln counties and known by fellow ranchers as a top producer of Debouillet sheep and wool. He won many awards for his wool across the US and an international award in Australia. Tony was also named the New Mexico Wool Growers, Inc. Sheepman of the Year in 2007. Tony was a partner in the Twin Butte Sheep Co. with Ed and James Goodrum. From 1982 to 1994 Tony and long time friend Bob Naylor were partners in Roswell Wool and Mohair. Tony was a member of New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau, Wool Growers (past president), served two terms on the New Mexico Livestock Board, Chaves County Soil & Water Conservation District and on the Board of First National/United NM Bank. Tony is survived by his brother, Jay Treat (wife, Beverly), Odessa, Texas; son, Bernarr Treat (wife Dyanna), Roswell; daughter, Toni Lynn Bourdon, Houston, Texas; and four grandchildren. Dear to him also were his cousins, Mona Rey Moiso of Beaverton, OR and Sally Treat McKay of Roswell. Special and heart felt thanks goes to Julie and Mike Adams, Meredith Murphy and all the caregivers with La Villa Assisted Living and Vista Care.
Nettie Ruth Harrelson, 93, Albuquerque, passed away Sunday, January 27, 2013. She was born on June 30, 1919 and was an active member of the New Mexico CowBelles for many years.
Mary “Evelyn” Grant, 86, Espanola, died on January 14, 2013 surrounded by her family. Evelyn was born on October 12, 1926 to George and Josie Burch, who were farmers in Hartshorne, Oklahoma. The family moved from Oklahoma to California to find employment in the factories near San Jose, California. Evelyn met Clinton “C.A.” Grant when he was discharged from the Marines after WWII. They married in 1947 and moved to Los Alamos. Evelyn worked as a telephone operator for Bell Telephone Company and C.A. worked for the Corp of Engineers. Evelyn then became a Data Analyst for the Los Alamos National Laboratory at S-Site where she retired. C.A. and Evelyn purchased a cattle ranch on the Glorieta Mesa in 1950, which is still owned by the family today. They lived in Los Alamos, the Espanola Valley, and on the ranch at different times during their lives. They were some of the first members of the Los Alamos Sheriff’s Posse and helped build the Sheriff’s Posse shack. Evelyn is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Arthur and Patricia Grant; her daughter and son-in-law Eva and Pat Woods, all of Broadview; her youngest sister and brother-in-law, Renomia and Chester Ingram, Athens, Georgia; her eight grandchildren; two foster sons, Bill Hooper and Marty McNamara; 22 great-grandchildren; and 10 nieces and nephews.
Editor’s Note: Please send In Memoriam announcements to: Caren Cowan, N.M. Stockman, P.O. Box 7127, Albuquerque, NM 87194, fax: 505/998-6236 or email: caren@aaalivestock.com. Memorial donations may be sent to the Cattlegrowers’ Foundation, a 501(c)3, tax deductable charitable foundation serving the rights of ranch families and educating citizens on governmental actions, policies and practices. Cattlegrowers Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 7517, Albuquerque, NM 87194.