Kay Hart

Family and friends are remembering the life of Mary Kathryn Kay Teel Hart. She departed this life for a better place on Dec. 3, 2013, one day short of her 91st birthday.

Graveside services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at Woodbine Cemetery.

Kay was born on the cold snowy morning of December 3, 1922 at the family ranch home Southwest of Hope, New Mexico to George S. Teel and Elna Stem Teel. She attended Albuquerque Business College after graduation from Hope High School then went on to attend McMurry College in Abilene, Texas and the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado before returning to Southeast New Mexico for the remainder of her life.

Kay never intended to spend her life working in an office but did so for over 50 years. She worked for Southern Union Gas Company, Southwestern Public Service, Valley Federal Savings and Loan, First National Bank and Oakley Financial Advisors at positions ranging from teller to Director to Corporate Senior Vice President. She retired more than once but was unable to stay away from serving the public and the clients she dearly loved. She truly enjoyed helping others.

Kay was active in several community organizations where she willingly gave of her time. The Hospital Auxiliary delighted in her made from scratch brownies provided for the bake sales, shutin visits and blood drives. She eagerly worked for over 14 years as treasurer of Meals on Wheels that she always considered an extremely worthwhile Organization. Kay also served as treasurer of the First United Methodist Church for many years. Her contributions through the years also included the Altrusa Club, the Artesia Hospital Board, Chamber of Commerce Board, the American Business Womens Association and the Red Cross.

Kay was a loving, hands on mother and a Mimi Grandmother and Great Grandmother. She loved all her family and was so proud of any of their accomplishments. She cherished her memories of her early days with family on the ranch and all the many relatives. A lifelong Methodist, she had an extremely strong sense of faith and a great love for the Lord. She knew all her loved ones would be reunited in the afterlife and she would be with them again.

She was preceded in death by her youngest son Kelly Ray Hart, her beloved parents George S. and Elna Stem Teel her sister Inez Teel Crockett her brothers LeRay Stem Teel and George O. Teel and her sisterinlaw Madie R. Teel.

She is survived by daughter Kathy H. Porter and husband David L. Porter Kays devoted soninlaw of Artesia, N.M. sons G. Randy Hart and wife Pam of Midland, Texas and Ritchie L. Hart and wife Kathi of Aztec, N.M.


Grandchildren Michael A. Colbert and wife Kacey of Hobbs, New Mexico, Lance L. Colbert and wife Jean of Crawley, Texas and Kera Dunham of Hobbs, New Mexico.

Greatgrandchildren Cody M. Colbert of Lubbock, Texas, Dustin C. Colbert of Cristoval, Texas, Kate J. Colbert of Crawley, Texas, Austin, Dyllin, and Hayden Gallegos of Clovis, New Mexico, Ambrei M. Dunham of Hobbs New Mexico, Nicole Knaus, Arvada, Colorado, and Jake Burkett of Hobbs New Mexico.

Nieces Karen T. Allen of Las Cruces New Mexico, Elnabeth T. Grau of Grady, New Mexico,

Pallbearers will be Michael Colbert, Lance Colbert, Cody Colbert, Dustin Colbert, Austin Gallegos, Robert Parsons, and Adam Wortley.

Honorary pallbears will be Curtis Teel, John Allen, Clayton Menefee, Dave Oakley, and Billie Jenkins.