Bernice Montgomery

Bernice Montgomery, 89 of Melrose, NM was born January 12, 1920 in Roosevelt, Oklahoma to the home of Eden and Lillie (Burton) Metheny. She died Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at St. Anthony Healthcare Center in Clovis. Bernice was reared in Oklahoma, as a child she lived in Eakley, OK and graduated from high school at Carnegie, Oklahoma. She married W.E. “Bill” Montgomery on July 31, 1939 in Mountain View, OK. Bernice enjoyed sewing; she was a member of the First United Methodist Church and Melrose Senior Citizen Center. She made her home in Melrose in 1980. Bernice is preceded in death by her husband Bill Montgomery in 1983; her parents; a granddaughter Lynnsey Hall in 2006; three sisters Hallie, Lucille and Hazel and three brothers Raymond, Neal and Charlie. Survivors include a daughter Jan Schumpert of Raton, NM; a son Joe Bill Montgomery and wife Charlotte of Melrose; a brother Eden Metheny and wife Val of Ardmore, OK; two sisters Sybil Cadell of Gallup, NM; Bonnie Lawrence of Palm Springs, CA; four granddaughters Kate Schiffelbein and husband Stan of Colorado Springs, CO; Kary Schumpert of Loveland, CO; Kelly Schumpert of Niwot, CO; D’Llaynn Bruce and husband Dean of Melrose; one grandson Blaynn Montgomery of Melrose along with five great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews. The family will receive friends from 1pm – 6pm Friday, July 17th at the funeral home. Viewing will also be held from 9:00 am to 9:45 prior to the service. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, July 18, 2009 from First United Methodist Church in Melrose with Pastor Rick Parker officiating. Burial will follow at Melrose Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Stan Schiffelbein, Will Schiffelbein, Ben Schiffelbein, Blaynn Montgomery, Dean Bruce and Doug Screws. Honorary bearers will include Bill Schumpert, Gordon Morris, Dale Bigler, Jaryn Bruce and the Wesley Sunday School Class. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner. (575) 355-2311. To sign the guest book or place a tribute online please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com