Opal Runyan

Services are scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 at First United Methodist Church in Artesia for Opal Bereneice Bunny Runyan of Artesia. PMrs. Runyan, 103, died Tuesday morning, Nov. 27, 2007 at her home. PCharles Walker will officiate at the services with burial at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers will be William R. Ellett, James A. Ellett, Bryan Scooter Graham, Lance Graham, John Glass, and Bill Mershon. Honorary pallbearers will be Kip Crowther, Chris Graham, Andy Ellett, Bryan Ellett, Shane Hendrickson, and Conner Crowther. PVisitation at Terpening amp; Son Mortuary will begin at 10:00 a.m. Friday. PBereneice was born Sept. 28, 1904 in Slater, Missouri; the daughter of William Jackson Powell and Mollie McAmis Powell. PIn 1925 she moved from Missouri to Lake Arthur where she taught school for a year. POn Dec. 22, 1927 she was married to James Bryan Runyan in Slater. She then moved to the family ranch on the Penasco. Her husband preceded her in death Feb. 4, 1997. She was also preceded in death by a son James Thomas Runyan. PShe was a housewife and member of First United Methodist Church, Eastern Star, White Shrine, B.P.O.E. Does, and the American Legion Auxiliary. PSurvivors include daughters Jackolin Jordan of Carlsbad and Marilyn Mershon and husband Bill of Mayhill; grandchildren William Runyan Ellett and wife Terri of Amarillo, James Alton Ellett and wife Earlene of Hope, Bryan Scooter Graham of Las Cruces, Kellie Crowther and husband Kip of Tempe, Ariz. Lance Graham and wife Amy of Cloudcroft, and Mollie Glass and husband John of Alamogordo; ten great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to VistaCare Hospice Foundation, 611 N. Canal, Carlsbad, NM 88220.