Thelma Bizzell

Services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009 at West Main Baptist Church for former longtime Artesia resident Thelma Fay Bizzell of Tucson, Ariz. Mrs. Bizzell, former Artesia resident of four decades, died on Nov. 22, 2009, at her home in Tucson. Fay slipped away peacefully and reunited with her beloved husband of 59 years, I.J. Bizzell, who predeceased her in 2003. Interment at Woodbine Cemetery will follow the services. Visitation at Terpening Son Mortuary is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4. Fay was born Dec. 1, 1926, in Checotah. Okla. She and twin sister May Bradley were the youngest of eight children. The family moved to New Mexico in the 1930s riding in a covered wagon. Fay eventually put roots down in Artesia, where she and I.J. were happy residents for so many years. While I.J. was a longtime employee of Navajo Refinery, Fay took pride in caring for many children and worked as a kindergarten teacher's aide at Yucca Elementary School. She was a dedicated Christian and loved serving the Lord. She was a friend to everyone she met. She loved doing things for others and quickly volunteered to baby sit, make meals and comfort those in need. Many will remember her caring for children in the church nursery, delivering Meals on Wheels, sewing handmade gifts and clothes and baking and cooking. Visitors to her home will remember the many hours she spent caring for her garden. Fay moved to Tucson in 2004 and quickly made many friends at her new church home, Sabino Baptist Church, and at her residence, Fellowship Square. Fay carried on in the service of others, providing in any way that she could for those around her in need. She continued to garden and grow flowers, and some of her plants from Artesia still live in Tucson. Fay is survived by her brother Elmer Green; sisters Fannie Fenstermaker and Pearl McTee; children Bill Bizzell and wife Stacey of Clovis and Gloria Toone and husband David of Tucson; grandchildren Brock Bizzell and wife Bincy, Natalie Bizzell, Lindsey Davis, Matt Davis, Jason Toone, Cameron Toone, Morgan Toone; Kimberly Huttanus, Buddy Huttanus, Josh Bizzell and Angel Bizzell Escalante; and many other close family and friends who will miss her constant, cheerful and loving spirit. Fay was especially proud of all her grandchildren and delighted in following their activities and hanging their latest pictures in her home. She will also be greatly missed by her beloved Dachshund, Molly.