CliffoJean Willis

Eva CliffoJean Willis, 84 of Portales and formerly of Fort Sumner died Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at Roosevelt General Hospital following a short illness. CliffoJean was born February 5, 1922 in Altus, Oklahoma the daughter of Clifton Byrd Newton and the former Bessie Bell Ash. She was raised in Morton, TX where she attended school. She also attended Eastern New Mexico University. She was later employed in the Personnel office at ENMU. CliffoJean married F.B. Willis on December 1, 1939 in Portales, NM they recently celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. When World War II broke out, she went to work at Pantex Ordinance Depot where she mixed and poured bombs from giant pots that were donated by the Hershey Company. After the war, she worked and put F.B. through school at ENMU. They made their home in Fort Sumner in 1950 where F.B. taught school and CliffoJean stayed home with two rambunctious boys. When the boys left home, CliffoJean served as the Elementary School Librarian for 12 years. CliffoJean and F.B. were active members of the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner where she taught Sunday School for many years and she served as president of the Woman’s Missionary Union. They made their home in Portales, NM in January 2005 and attended Emmanuel Baptist Church. CliffoJean was preceded in death in death by her parents, a sister Merlene Reed in 1978, and a brother W.H. Newton in 1985. Survivors include her husband F.B. Willis of the home in Portales; two sons Jack Willis and wife Pat of Portales; Jerry Willis and wife Debby of Midland, TX, five grandchildren Dustin Willis of Albuquerque, Damien Willis and friend Lisa Lisenbee of Las Cruces, Kim Willis of Midland, TX, Tony Willis and wife Shannon of Midland, TX and Michael Deen Hartmann and wife Kas of Albuquerque, three great-grandchildren Jordyn Willis, Michael Willis, and Alexys Willis all of Midland, TX along with two sisters in law Ann Willis of Melrose and Era Willis of Georgetown, TX and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Thursday from 1pm to 6pm at the funeral home. The family will receive friends from 4pm to 6pm. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Friday, January 19, 2007 from the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner, NM Rev. Coy Brewer and Rev. Walter Huber officiating. Burial will follow in the Willis family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews Kim Willis, Tony Willis, Damien Willis, Michael Dean Hartman, Richard Willis, Gary Reed, Hardy Reed and Don Sweet. Honorary bearers will be Deacons of the First Baptist Church and her Sunday School Class. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church building fund or to Emmanuel Baptist Church building fund. All 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