Dorothy B. Northrup

Dorothy Beatrice Northrup, 86, of Melrose, New Mexico passed away at her home Thursday, December 26, 2013. She was born October 13, 1927 in Henderson County, Texas to the home of Joseph Joshua Gouge and the former Ida Elizabeth Majors. She grew up in Texas and Arizona. While living in Texas she worked as a cook in restaurants and Cafes. Dorothy married Edward Cecil Northrup on May 5, 1945 in Happy, Texas. They made their home north of Melrose in 1965 and later moved to Melrose in 1990. Dorothy worked as a cook for the House Senior Center for 9 years, and the Melrose Senior Citizen Center for ten years. She enjoyed reading, painting, gardening, word search puzzles, and especially caring for her grandchildren. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Melrose. Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband Edward Cecil Northrup in 1991, her parents, infant twins, two granddaughters, Shiloh Northrup and Elaine Abeyta, two great-granddaughter Candace Abeyta, and Kenlee Nelson, five brothers Everett, Norman, Alvin, Robert, and Clifford Gouge, and a sister Naomi Gouge. Survivors include two daughters Patricia Lunn and husband Ronald of Melrose, New Mexico, Beatrice Prather and husband Buddy of Bovina, Texas, two sons Gary Northrup and wife Chris of Friona, Texas, and Eric Northrup and his girlfriend Sandy of Mount View, Missouri, 55 grandchildren, 72 great-grandchildren, and 23 great-great-grandchildren along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, January 2, 2014 at the Chavez Funeral Home Chapel, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico with Rev. Durward Wofford officiating. Burial will follow at Melrose Cemetery, Melrose, New Mexico. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Roby Northrup, Darrel Bishop, David Bishop, John Nelson, Pecos Prather, Cordell Northrup, Billy Northrup, Craig Northrup, Levi Northrup, and Jack Northrup. Honorary bearers will include all her grand and great-grandchildren. The family prefers memorial contributions to the Baptist Children's Home, 2200 South Avenue I, Portales, New Mexico 88136. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico (575) 355-2311.