Hanna Farbo, 24, Roswell, died on November 23, 2015 as a result of injuries suffered in an auto accident on November 21, 2015. Hanna was an inspector for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. Please keep her family and friends in your prayers.

Acie Van (Gabby) Hayes, 80, died peacefully in his sleep with his children by his side on April 9, 2015 at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Gabby was born August 2, 1934 in Caddo and raised on his family farm in nearby in Bokchito, Oklahoma before making his life and career in New Mexico. He returned to his native Oklahoma and spent his final years in Durant and Hugo, Oklahoma with his caregiver, Wendy Holder, and his two most loyal  buddies, his cow dogs Jack and Jill. For those of you who knew him, he was quite a feisty gentleman, shrewd businessman, father, brother, uncle, son. In his day he drove beer trucks, worked for the railroad and silver mines, ran cattle, raised goats, herded bees (and beef), and endeavored in all sorts of other fool schemes. Some lucrative – others not so much. His landholdings, friendships, and various ventures had him shuttling between Arizona, Florida, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma transcending traditional rivalries. He was a proud member of the Freemasons, Elks Club and New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma Stockmen’s Associations. He actively supported local youth, including his children and grandchildren, by sponsoring rodeos, 4-H Livestock Shows/Sales, baseball, football, and wrestling. He was a Patriot, loved his country and those who serve it. His integrity and likeability made him a great County Commissioner, but he was too crusty for politics, the chronic mendacity. Over the years he loved everything Cowboy, raising Quarter horses, racing Thoroughbreds, being a private pilot, participating and sponsoring of the National Pro Rodeo Association, as well as being a competitor in his younger days and of course, flirting shamelessly. We wish to leave you with his favorite saying; “I may be blind, but I can still see a pretty woman and a pretty horse.” He is survived by his sisters, Mina Budzilowski, Texarkana, Texas and Clarice McCoy, Dallas, his children, Terry Hayes and Darlene Nordgaarden- Hayes, New Mexico and Kelly and Melisa Hayes, California; his five grandchildren, step-family, Martha Hayes and her children, as well as several  loving nieces and nephews.

Jane Blair Bunting Darnell, 82, Albuquerque, passed peacefully in her home, surrounded by family and friends on November 18, 2015 of natural causes. Blair was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 28, 1932 to Frederick Horner Bunting and Ethel Jane Westfeldt Bunting. The first grandchild to George (Big George) and Martha Westfeldt, her mother doubted if even Queen Elizabeth received as much attention. Blair grew into an intelligent and fiercely strong woman with the determination to live every moment to the fullest. Whether reigning as queen of Proteus (1954), visiting her favorite cousins, touring the American West with friends, diving into cultural studies, or raising her family and exploring her passions, she gave her entire heart to everything she did. Blair attended Louise McGehee School in New Orleans. Later she developed an interest in anthropology and native cultures which drew Blair from Middlebury College in Vermont to the University of New Mexico. This is where she met and fell in love with her husband, Casey Darnell. They married in 1957 and started Alamo Farm, (a Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred breeding and training facility) in Albuquerque’s North Valley on the banks of the Rio Grande. Blair was deeply dedicated and served on many boards. She was a true service leader in her community. Some of her favorites were the American Quarter Horse Association, 4-H, the public school system, the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, Rio Grande Preserve and the New Mexico Horse Council. Blair is survived by her four children, Kristen (David) Kreger, Cliff (Cindy) Darnell, Emily (Joe Bob) Nunez, Mary Darnell and Richard Churchill; three grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sister, Amy Bunting; niece, Sarah Gan and family, Rich Gan, Madeline, and Marrisa; and many very loved cousins and friends.

Lindit’ Elizabeth (Lambert) Hopson, 86, died November 23, 2015, at her home on the Triangle Ranch East after a valiant battle with cancer. She was born on June 12, 1929 in Sherman, Texas to Marion Sanford and Linda Elizabeth (Mitchell) Sanford and was later adopted by Jack Lambert. The granddaughter of T. E Mitchell, Tequesquite Ranch, Albert, she was one of five “Linda Elizabeths” in the Mitchell Family at that time, so was given the affectionate name of Lindita because she was “little Linda” and this was later shortened to Lindit’, as she is known to most. Lindit’ will be remembered as a true Pioneer and gracious spirit of Northeastern New Mexico. At the age of 12 she started working cattle and building fence on her new home at the Triangle Ranch in Harding County while home-schooling with Calvert Correspondence. Lindit’ was soon elected the first Secretary of the NM Junior Cattle Growers’ Association at 15 and helped to build a registered Hereford herd with her Mother, Linda Mitchell Lambert on the Triangle Ranch. Lindit’ attended her Senior year of High School in Denver. She then attended Arizona State University and later transferred to New Mexico Agricultural & Mechanics College (now NMSU), after she met and later married Harry Hopson, Clayton, on August 30, 1950 on the Triangle Ranch. She returned to college in Las Cruces with her two oldest children in tow. In 1955 she made history by graduating as NM A&M’s first female with a degree in Animal Husbandry. She and Harry had four children, known as “the four J’s”, Jeff, Jill, Jay and Joy. Lindit’s career following graduation was varied and noteworthy. Lindit’ ran the Triangle Ranch and broke ranch horses for many years with her husband, Harry. During these years she was the Secretary of the Harding County Registered Quarter Horse Association. She was also active in Eastern Star, the Episcopal and Presbyterian Churches, and an instrumental Youth Horse Show and 4-H Leader. Later she helped to implement the founding of the Sandoval County Fair in Cuba. She was also a high school teacher of English and Biology in Schools in Springer, Cuba and Mosquero, and Barnsdall and Nelagoney, Oklahoma. In Albuquerque, she served for nearly a decade as a Church Secretary, and also for Drs. Herbert Beatty and Lyman Atchley. She is a published writer, remembered fondly for her “Lindit’s Recipes” column in the Union County Leader, and perhaps most notably for her leadership and inspiration, contributing greatly to the Harding County History Book. Survivors include husband, Harry; two sons, Rev. Harry Jeffrey Hopson, Stockton, California and Thomas Jay Hopson, Mosquero; two daughters, Linda Jill Chatfield (husband, Jack), Mosquero, and Joy Elaine Harris (husband, Doak), Clayton; 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and two half-brothers, Marion (Sandy) Sanford, Austin, and Douglas Sanford (wife, Kaye), Lubbock, and their families. All family and friends are invited to join our family in a Celebration of Lindit’ (Mama Hop) Hopson’s Life on Dec. 15 at 10:00 a.m. at the Mosquero Community Church with lunch and Fellowship to follow the Service.

Editor’s Note: 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. The New Mexico Stockman runs memorials as a courtesy to its readers. If families & friends would like to see more detail, verbatim pieces must be emailed to us, & may be printed at 10¢ per word.