Alice Cleaver

Alice “Tata” Cleaver, 65 of Fort Sumner, NM died Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at her home following an illness. She was born November 16, 1946 in Artesia, NM the daughter of Leslie Gilbert Fleming and the former Mary Helen Stillwell. Alice attended grade school in High Rolls, NM and later Alamogordo High School. She married Dennis F. Cleaver on June 6, 1964 at Alamogordo, NM. Alice was a rancher’s wife at heart, she worked for many years alongside her husband on various cattle ranches, she also worked as a bank teller, a substitute teacher, and after making Fort Sumner their home in 1979 she worked as a secretary, jailer, and dispatcher for Sheriff John McBride. She also worked as a secretary for the De Baca County News and was later a dispatcher for the De Baca County Communication Center. For the past 6 years Alice served as secretary for the First United Methodist Church. Alice was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Fort Sumner. Her family describes her as a cowgirl who loved horses, gardening, and reading, she also enjoyed the many hours she spent completing puzzles. Alice is preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Dennis Cleaver of the family home in Fort Sumner; a son James Cleaver and wife Meredith of Clovis; daughter Shana Luzader of West Virginia; four grandchildren including two granddaughters raised by Alice and Dennis, Quannah Saiz and husband Jason of Fort Sumner, Jenny Cleaver of the family home in Fort Sumner; Stephanie Kenyon of Fort Sumner and Cooper Cleaver of Clovis; also surviving are four great-grandchildren Tyler J. Saiz, Seth Eli Saiz, Karley Segura, and Luke Segura all of Fort Sumner along with many dear friends. Visitation hours will be 1PM to 6PM Friday, February 24, 2012 at the Chavez Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 25, 2012 at the Chavez Funeral Home Chapel with Buddy Hall officiating. The family prefers memorial contributions in memory of Alice Cleaver to the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 180, Fort Sumner, NM 88119. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (575) 355-2311. To place an online tribute or sign the guest book, please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com