Johnnie Cones

Johnnie Cones, 93 a longtime farmer in the Fort Sumner valley died Sunday, May 20, 2001 at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis following an illness. Johnnie was born September 15, 1907 in Norwood, Missouri to the home of John William Cones and the former Lou Annie Tennessee Akers. He moved with his family to Cuervo, NM in 1918 where they made their home until 1944. While living in Cuervo he met and later married Edna Harrison. They were married on November 12, 1927 in Tucumcari, NM. Johnnie and Edna made their home in the Fort Sumner valley in 1944. Johnnie farmed and also worked for the irrigation district for several years. He enjoyed visiting with friends and family about the old times. He loved to be around the farm and always seemed to keep himself busy. As recent as last week he was out baiting gophers. Johnnie was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Edna in 1989; a son Lloyd Cones in 1992; a sister Hattie Bailey; two grandsons Ricky Cones and Sonny Roper a granddaughter Sandy Cones, and a daughter-in-law Louise Cones. Survivors include a son Clarence Cones of Fort Sumner; four daughters Lois Roper and husband Barney of Carrizozo, NM; Grace Foster and husband Bill of Roswell, NM; Annie Mae Finney and husband Denzel, Lola Foster and husband Dick of Fort Sumner; two sisters Ethel Hedgecoke of Fort Sumner and Dorothy Bruce of Phoenix, Arizona; two brothers Bill Cones of Fort Sumner and Roy Cones of Palo Verde, California. Also surviving are 21 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren and 9 Great-great-Grandchildren along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, May 22, 2001 from the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner with Rev. Coy Brewer officiating. Burial will follow in the Cones family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Lewis Hancock, Russell Crownover, I.A. Griego, Dub Head, Richard Renfro, Eddie Spitz, and Harold Boyle. Honorary bearers will be all his friends and neighbors. Visitation will be Monday from 10AM to 6PM and Tuesday from 10AM to 12 at the funeral home. The family prefers memorials to the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 180, Fort Sumner, New Mexico 88119 in Johnnie’s memory. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner.