Phyllis McRee

Phyllis McRee, 76 of Fort Sumner, NM died Friday, October 5, 2012 at Prairie Acres Nursing Center in Friona, TX following a long illness. Phyllis was born December 2, 1935 in Denver, Colorado to the home of Joe J. and Anna (Calahan) Brockman. When Phyllis was six months old, her father was named Superintendent of the Alamogordo Dam Project, now Lake Sumner Dam. The family made their home at Alamogordo Dam for many years. Phyllis attended school in Fort Sumner, graduating with the Class of 1953. Following graduation she attended a business school in Lubbock, Texas. Phyllis worked for the NM Motor Vehicle Department in Fort Sumner. She married Frank McRee on May 30, 1960 in Fort Sumner. She also worked for Addison Drug Store for several years and was a census taker for the U.S. Census Bureau. After the birth of her daughters she became a stay at home mom and raised her children on the McRee family ranch north of Fort Sumner. Phyllis was a faithful member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner where she served for several years on the Parish Council. After the birth of her grandchildren, Phyllis let her daughters know that she would be the only babysitter they would need – no discussion. She loved caring for her grandchildren. Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, three brothers David, Bill and Eddie Brockman; three sisters Anna Hammond, Ida Clark, and an infant sister Josephine Brockman. She is survived by her husband Frank McRee of the ranch home north of Fort Sumner, two daughters Lisa Walraven and husband T.J. of Fort Sumner; Miki McRee Dimitroff and husband Steve of Fort Sumner, three grandchildren Kyla Walraven and fiancé Jake Corn of Roswell, NM, Wade Walraven of Fort Sumner and Rose McRee of Fort Sumner, also surviving is a sister in law Jamie Brooke of Friona, TX along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Visitation hours will be Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012 from 1PM to 6PM at the funeral home. Rosary prayers will be recited at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner, NM at 10:30 AM Monday, October 8, 2012 followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in the McRee family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. Father Sotero A. Sena will officiate. Pallbearers will include Steve Gallegos, Rusty Morman, Joe Tompkins, Kelly Morman, Cotton Boyd, Leo G. Sena, Dwayne Milliron, and Bob Addison. Honorary bearers will include Deacon Edward Sena, David Bailey, Sach Morman, and Gordon Morris along with all her relatives and many friends. Arrangements are under the 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