Inez J. McAlester

Inez J. “Nana” McAlester, 97 of Fort Sumner, NM passed away Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at Lovelace Hospital in Albuquerque following a short illness. Inez was born April 19, 1911 in Pasa Montes, NM the eldest of eight children born to the home of Ignacio and Aurora (Sandoval) Jiminez. Inez was reared and attended school at Clayton, NM. She married Rufus McAlester on September 9, 1933 in Sayre, Oklahoma. They made their home on the family farm in Shamrock, TX for a few years before moving to Clovis, NM. In Clovis they worked for Costley’s Bakery. In 1947 they moved to Fort Sumner where they opened a bakery inside Dave’s Grocery. They later opened Mac’s Sweet Shop across from the high school which they operated until their retirement in 1967. Inez was a longtime member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner; she was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She spent her day working around her home and prayed daily for her family. Inez was preceded in death by her husband Rufus on June 30, 1973; her parents; three sisters Nash Padilla, Flossie Lovato, Caroline Garcia, and two brothers Joe and Seferino Jiminez. Survivors include a daughter Anna Marie Gustafson and husband Stephen; a grandson Robert Gustafson and wife Victoria; granddaughter Sabrina VanSickler and partner Tammi Svanda; three great-granddaughters Kaylee VanSickler, BriAnna VanSickler, Malaina Gustafson and a great-grandson Stephen Gustafson all of Albuquerque; two brothers Alfonso Jiminez of Denver, CO and Frank Jiminez of Albuquerque. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. Visitation will be Friday from 1pm to 6pm at the funeral home and Saturday from 10am to 11am at the church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008 from St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner with Father Steve Sanchez officiating. Burial will follow in the McAlester family plot at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Danny Jiminez, Ricky Lovato, Gerald Padilla, Robert Gustafson, Chris Baldonado and Ronny Sanchez. Honorary bearers will be all her family and friends. The family would like to thank Anna Baltes for the loving care and friendship she gave to Inez. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 804 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, NM. To place an online tribute or sign the guest book please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com . (575) 355-2311