Erma Lee Stallard

Erma Laura Elizabeth “Lee” Stallard, 90 a longtime Fort Sumner resident passed away and entered eternal rest on Thursday, September 28, 2006 at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas. Erma was born on the family homestead November 23, 1915 in Norton, Quay County, New Mexico to the home of Leon Bell and the former Alta Luna Smith. Her early childhood was spent working on the family ranch working with her father, brother and cousins. She enjoyed working outside and was in charge of milking up to as many as 16 cows morning and night. She attended primary school at Norton thru the 8th grade, Forrest High School grades 9-11 and graduated from Tucumcari High School her senior year. She attended finishing school one year after high school. Erma married Vincent A. Stallard on June 19, 1936 in Tucumcari, NM. In 1939 they moved to the Gerhardt Valley north of Fort Sumner where they ranched for many years. She had many interests but her favorite was working with her flowers and keeping a near flawless yard. She was active in the community as a past member of Women’s Club, Extension Club, Life Time PTA member and others. She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner where for numerous years she participated in Sunday School class. Also, she was a dedicated Fox-Vixen fan who believed in supporting all sports and level of play. She was preceded in death by her parents Leon and Alta Bell; her husband Vincent A. Stallard in 1974; two daughters Glenda Hopper in 1976, and Marilyn Wylie in 2005; a sister Glenna Gibson 2002, a brother Dale Bell in 1940, and her son-in-law Lester L. Harrelson in 1974. Survivors include a daughter Sharon Harrelson of Seabrook, TX; two sons Vincent “Binto” Stallard and John Dale Stallard and wife Kim all of Fort Sumner; a son-in-law Don Wylie of Fort Sumner; two granddaughters Penny Marshall and husband Scott of Fort Sumner; Marla Lewis of Safford, AZ; six grandsons Donald Ray Wylie and wife Pat; Michael Wylie and wife Weslea of Minneapolis, KS; Kyle Harrelson and wife Heidi of Seabrook, TX; Shawn Harrelson and wife Sheila of Chandler, AZ; Rawley Stallard and Brody Stallard both of Fort Sumner; 13 great-grandchildren Wendy Long, Brett and, Haley Marshall of Fort Sumner; John, Emma and Trevor Wylie of Minneapolis, KS; Weston, Lauryn and Walker Lewis of Safford, AZ; Savannah, Brianna, Amanda and Austin Harrelson of Seabrook, TX and one Great-great-grandchild Autumn Long of Fort Sumner. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear neighbors and friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 2, 2006 from the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner with Rev. Coy Brewer officiating. Burial will follow in the Stallard Family Plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Kyle Harrelson, Shawn Harrelson, Brody Stallard, Rawley Stallard, Scott Marshall, and Don Wylie. Honorary bearers will be her grandson and great-grandsons Weston Lewis, Walker Lewis, Austin Harrelson, John Wylie, Trevor Wylie, Donald Ray Wylie, Michael Wylie, and Brett Marshall along with Dan Lackner, Jerry Sparks, and Bobby Russ. The family prefers memorial contributions to the Erma Stallard Memorial Scholarship Fund for a Scholar Athlete c/o Citizens Bank of Fort Sumner P.O. Box 490, Fort Sumner, New Mexico 88119. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 804 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (505) 355-2311 www.chavezfuneralhome.com