Lydia Earnest

Lydia Clara “Babe” Earnest, 72 of Melrose, NM died Thursday, November 23, 2006 at Laurel Ridge Nursing Center in Clovis following an illness. Lydia was born July 13, 1934 to the home of Edward Bigler and the former Ollie Belle Locke. She was raised at Anton, TX and Floyd, NM where she attended school. Lydia worked on the family farm in Anton, TX and for her sister Ruby at the farm in Floyd. Lydia married James Max Earnest on January 24, 1951 in Portales. Lydia worked for a time as a waitress in Lubbock, TX and Portales and while living in Albuquerque she was a civilian employee at Kirtland Air Force Base. She also worked with her husband at a watch and jewelry repair shop. She made her home in Melrose in 1976 where she operated the Trophy House and did engraving for the area schools and the citizens of Melrose, usually at no charge. She worked for several years with her sister at the Melrose Fruit and Vegetable Stand where she was responsible for planting and caring for the vegetable plants sold at the stand. Lydia was a past member of the Melrose Chamber of Commerce. She was a Baptist. Lydia loved visiting with her family and friends over a cup of coffee, she enjoyed her collection of wind chimes and was an excellent gardener. According to her family she was the mother to one and a grandmother to everyone. Lydia was preceded in death by her parents; a son Jim Earnest in 2000, a brother Leonard “Buck” Bigler and a grandson Isaac McClain Earnest in 2005. Survivors include her husband James Earnest of Melrose, four sisters Ruby Stephenson of Floyd, Addie Mae McGinnis of Lubbock, Ellen Bostwick of Melrose, Mary Ann Vidlar of Floyd; two brothers Emil Bigler of Fort Sumner and Ishmel Panny Bigler of Floyd. Also surviving are two granddaughters Brandi Jo Earnest of Oregon and Autumn Lorena Lopez of Clovis; step grandson Shawn Christian Duncan of Quinlan, TX; three great-grandsons Zachary James Earnest, Joshua Gabriel Lopez and Jeremiah Nathaniel Lopez. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 pm Sunday, November 26, 2006 from the Baptist Church in Floyd, NM with Rev. Durward Wofford officiating. Burial will follow at Floyd Community Cemetery. Lydia will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the funeral. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner, NM. (505) 355-2311 www.chavezfuneralhome.com