Sarah I. Walraven

Sarah I. Walraven, 67 of Fort Sumner, NM died Wednesday, August 10, 2005 at her home following an illness. Sarah was born January 14, 1938 in Fort Sumner to the home of Thomas Jefferson Duncan and the former Lorena Armentia Hurst. She was reared and attended school at Fort Sumner, graduating with the class of 1956. Sarah married Jack Walraven on May 10, 1963 at Roswell, NM. She was a Sunday school teacher at the First United Methodist Church for many years and a member of the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner. Sarah worked at various restaurants in Fort Sumner; she was a past employee of High Plains Aircraft Decorators at the Fort Sumner Industrial Park. She also owned and operated a Laundromat in Fort Sumner. Sarah enjoyed reading, embroidering, and was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Andrew Duncan and Lendon Duncan; and two nephews Terry Sweet and Gary Duncan. Survivors include her husband Jack of the home in Fort Sumner; three daughters Sherry Healey and husband Burke of Davis, Oklahoma; LoRena Wilson and husband Richard of Perry, Oklahoma; and Jackie Beth Walraven of Fort Sumner; a son T.J. and wife Lisa Walraven of Fort Sumner; two sisters Lula Sweet and husband Don of Fort Sumner; Eula Newton and husband Stanley of Elephant Butte, NM; also surviving are 10 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. The family prefers memorial contributions in Sarah’s memory to the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association, c/o Box 180; Fort Sumner, NM 88119 or the American Cancer Society. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 13, 2005 from the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner with Rev. Coy Brewer and Rev. Stanley Newton officiating. Burial will follow at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Micah Jones, Shiloh Jones, Bryan Wilson, Glenn Wilson, Clay Wilson, J.W. Daniels, Burke Healey IV, and Wade Walraven. Honorary bearers will be all her friends. Visitation will be Friday from 10am to 6pm at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 804 N. Fifth Street Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (505) 355-2311 www.chavezfuneralhome.com