Obituaries of Oklahomans
in New Mexico  

Mrs. Mattie B. Smylie
as submitted by Bonnie Hansen/Schulz - great-granddaughter

Union County Leader, Clayton, New Mexico
Thursday, May 7, 1936,

Death takes Mrs. Smylie of Seneca. Was a pioneer resident of the County: Funeral Monday.
Death came Sunday to Mrs. Mattie B. Smylie of Seneca, a highly respected and pioneer resident of this section of the county. Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon at Kenton Methodist Church. The large crowd which assembled bore testimony to the high regards in which she was held. Interment was in Kenton Cemetery.
Born, May 6, at Martins Ferry, Ohio, and departed this life, May 3, 1936, at her home near Seneca, New Mexico, at the age of 76 years 11 months 27 days, death being due to a cerebral hemmorage, with her condition being serious about a week.
As a young woman she moved with her parents to Mitchell, South Dakota, where at the age of 26 she was united in marriage to Samuel Smylie, who preceded her in death 35 years ago near Kenton, Okla. To this union was born three children, all of those survive; they are James T. Smylie of Seneca, New Mexico, Walter M. Smylie of Jemez Spring, New Mexico and Mrs. Hilda Cochran of Pampa, Texas.
Following her marriage, she and her husband resided for a time in South Dakota and then moved with their children to Wisconsin where they remained until 1898 when the moved to Kenton, Okla., in no man's land or the neutral strip now the Oklahoma Panhandle. Here they operated a general merchandise store for a year, with the location of the establishment being one mile west of the present townsite of Kenton, and where the postoffice of Florence, neutral strip had been located in the late 1880's. After a year at this point they sold out the store and moved to a small ranch which they had acquired in New Mexico, a few miles west of Kenton, where they were living at the time of her husband's death in February of 1901.
Possessed of the true pioneer spirit, she retained the ranch and herd of cattle with which it was stocked, and assisted by her children carried on the business through the years until her family grew up and assumed their places in the community.
Early in life she united with the Presbyterian Church and when upon moving to the Kenton area and finding no organization of that faith here, she united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and maintained her membership therein until the time of her death, being a true and honest follower of her Lord and Master, all down through the years and examplifying the real meaning of a Christian wife and mother.
In addition to her three children who survive her and were all at her bedside during her last moments, are a sister, Mrs. Mary Dean of Mitchell, South Dakota; a brother C. W. Taylor of Ohio, seven grandchildren and a host of friends who have known and respected her down through the years and who will miss her in a degree only surpassed by the members of her immediate family, who have lost the one most dear to them all--Mother.
Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon, May 4th in the Methodist Episcopal Church, Kenton, with Rev. B. R. Harris officiating, and interment followed in the Kenton Cemetery. The great crowd and the beautiful floral offerings bore testimony of the high esteem in which this pioneer woman, who was a true wife, loving mother, and real neighbor, was held by all who knew her. Pall bearers were Messers, Mannie Capansky, Berry L. Bivens, Isaac Cochran, H. B. Walker, and Miller T. Easley. The sympathy of the entire community is extended to the bereaved family in their trying hour.

Mrs. Mattie B. Smylie's obituary from The Boise City News, Okla.

Jim T. Smylie

The Union County Leader,
Wednesday, Jan. 16, 1957
Page 12

Jim T. Smylie, departed this life in Clayton, January 8, 10:30 p.m. 1957. He came to this country with his parents Mr. and Mrs. Samule Smylie, and a brother and sister, in 1887, living at Kenton, Okla., where he grew to manhood and helped to develop this part of the west into what he is today. His departure is just another milestone reached in this life. At his departure he was 79 years, 4 months, and 9 days. He was kind hearted, generous, giving and helping in every good cause, belonging to no religious or civic organization but believing and giving to every good cause that was for the uplifting and good of the public or nation. He bothered no one with his business or heartaches.
He leaves to mourn his loss, one sister, Mrs. Hilda Cochran of San Francisco, Calif., and several nieces and nephews, plus a host of friends. He lived at 423 East Main St., with Charlie Stone for 15 years. Mr. Stone gave him a home and cared for him until his death.
Funeral services were January 13, 1:30 p.m. at the Kilburn Funeral Home, with Brother Warren of the Church of God in charge. Muisc was provided by Louise Haiston, accompanied by Claris Alexande. Pall bearers were George Wiggins, Jim Hopson, Leonard Blue, Fred Spradlin, John Spencer, and Clarence Faus. Interment was at the Kenton Cemetery in Kenton, Okla.

Submitted by Bonnie Hansen/Schulz
Great niece of Jim T. Smylie

December 1999

Hobbs, NM

TEAGUE
Services for Eleanor Pearl Roberts Teague of San Angelo, Texas, will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 3, at Chapel of Hope Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Mrs. Teague, 77, died on Wednesday, Dec. 29. She was born in Poukipsee, Okla., on Jan. 14, 1922. She married R.D. Teague. Mrs. Teague moved to Hobbs in 1929 and graduated from Hobbs High School.
Her parents, Elmer and Ava Pearl Roberts; her husband; her brother, Warren  Roberts; and her sister, Movella Roberts Cutrell, preceded her in death.
She is survived by two daughters, Mary Lee Blakeley of San Angelo and Elaine Heelan of Hobbs; one son, Ronnie Teague of Hobbs; two sisters, Juanita O' Dell and Doris Stewart, both of Hobbs; three brothers, Jarold Roberts of Abilene, Jimmy Roberts of Jacksonville, Fla., and Gene Roberts of Hobbs; 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Contributed by Leona Guthrie [email protected]

January 2000

HOWELL
Graveside services for Georgie Lyona Howell of Hobbs will be held Jan. 13, in Brunson Memorial Cemetery in Eunice.
The Rev. Kenny Dickenson will officiate.
Mrs. Howell, 75, died Jan. 10. She was born Feb. 22, 1924, in Hooker, Okla. She married George C. Howell on Dec. 19, 1942, in Shawnee, Okla. He preceded her in death on Dec. 21, 1995.
She lived in Eunice from 1961 to 1995. She was a member of Highland Baptist Church in Eunice where she served with the Women's Mission Union.
Survivors include a daughter, Renae Hardison of; two sisters, Joy Mangles and Hazel DeGuisti ; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law. A daughter, Lynn Hatley; a brother, Oscar Tarrant; and two sisters, Maxine Parlow and Virgie Williamson also preceded her in death.

Contributed by Leona Guthrie [email protected]

January 2000

FORT
Services for Billie Fort of Hobbs will be held  Jan.  12, at Chapel of Hope Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Leon Green will officiate. Burial will follow in the Lovington Cemetery.
Mrs. Fort, 86, died Sunday, Jan. 9. She was  born July 15, 1913, in Victory, Okla. She married J.C. "Jake" Fort on July 6,  1946, in Lovington. He preceded her in death on Oct. 21, 1999.
She played an active role with her husband in the Sheriff's Department in  Lovington.
Mrs. Fort was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority for many years.
Survivors include a daughter, a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter.
Her parents, three brothers and a sister also preceded her in death.

Contributed by Leona Guthrie [email protected]

January 2000

TAYLOR
Services for Floyd Taylor of Jal will be held Jan. 15, at Fifth Street Baptist Church. The Rev. Elio Barrios, Vista Care Family Hospice Chaplain will officiate. Burial will follow in Jal Cemetery under the direction of Calvary Funeral Home.
Mr. Taylor, 85, died Wednesday, Jan. 12, at his home. He was born May 29,  1914, in Blue Jacket, Okla. He married Velma Young on Feb. 20, 1952, in  Tulsa, Okla.
He was a member of Fifth Street Baptist Church. Mr. Taylor served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a sergeant. He  served in New Guinea and the Philippine Islands. He received the American  Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Battle Stars for the Philippine Liberation. He  also received the Good Conduct Medal.
He was a lifetime member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, VFW and the  National Rifle Association.
Survivors include his wife of the home; a son, Floyd "Butch" Taylor of Katy,  Texas; a daughter, April Dean Thomas; a brother, Clyde Taylor; and three grandchildren.
His parents, Marion and Clara Taylor, and four brothers, Charlie, Milburn,  Levi, Bill and Ramon Taylor, preceded him in death.

Contributed by Leona Guthrie [email protected]

January 2000

SAGE
Graveside services for Jesse Monroe Sage of Hobbs will be held at 2 p.m.  today at Prairie Haven Memorial Park under the direction of Griffin Funeral Home. The Rev. Thomas H. Martin will officiate.
Mr. Sage, 89, died Tuesday, Jan. 18, at his home. He was born Dec. 23, 1910,  in Oklahoma, and married Dora Masterson on July 29, 1922, in Tecumseh, Okla.  
He was a member of First Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife of the home; three daughters, Marie Ford, Sue Barr and Barbara Watson; seven  grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Contributed by Leona Guthrie [email protected]

January 22, 2000

ROBBINS
Funeral services for Liz Robbins, 78, of Eunice, are scheduled for Jan. 24, at Church of Christ in Eunice with the  Rev. Hubert Smith officiating. Burial, under the direction of Calvary Funeral Home, will follow at Brunson  Memorial Cemetery.
Mrs. Robbins died Friday, Jan. 21, at her home. She was born June 18, 1921, in Milburn, Okla., and married Ed Robbins on Aug.  12, 1938, in Tishomingo, Okla. He preceded her in death in 1994.
Mrs. Robbins was a member of  14th Street Church of Christ.
Mrs. Robbins is survived by one son, James Robbins; one daughter,  Barbara Paschal; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Contributed by Leona Guthrie [email protected]

The Daily Times, Farmington, NM 87402
Sunday 2 July 2006

Lorraine Thompson 83 of Farmington died Friday 30 Jun 2006
in Farmington. She was born 9 Dec 1922 in McAlister, Ok to
George and Pearley Gordon Sr She loved her yard and flowers.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas M. Thompson,
her dau Joann Perry, parents and bros George E. Gorden Jr, Clint W. Gorden.
Survivers; dau Sandy Adamski of Port Orchard, WA and Florence Siljenberg;
bro Len Gordon, sisters; Laverne Sawyer of Farmington, Gertrude Newman of
Oklahoma, Betty Williams of Silver City, NM, Nelda Wade of Farmington,
Numerous grandchildren, friends and neighbors.
Cope Memorial Chapel Farmington, NM 505-327-5142

submitted by Dorothy Hennigan [email protected]