Virginia Green

Virginia Elizabeth "Libby" Gashwiler Green, 109 years 6 months passed away November 2, 2015 at the Artesia General Hospital, Artesia after a brief illness. Elizabeth was born in Novinger, Missouri on April 15, 1906, to Dr. J.S. and Maude Gashwiler. She was the second child of 8. She graduated from Novinger High School and a year later graduated from the nurses training school at the Grim-Smith Hospital in Kirksville, Mo. She received her RN degree from Kansas School of Nursing in Kansas City, Mo and did graduate work in St. Louis.
On September 3, 1928 in Linn, Missouri, Elizabeth married Forrest Lee (F.L.) Green, who preceded her in death in 1962. To this union was born a daughter, Virginia and a son, John L. The family resided in Edina, Missouri until 1945 when they moved to Artesia, New Mexico where F. L. became a football coach and teacher. Elizabeth was Dr. C. Pardue Bunch's nurse for 40 years and retired in 1975. The grandchildren fondly remember their trips to the doctor to see Grandma and get their yearly shots.
Elizabeth was very active in the P.E.O. Sisterhood in Missouri and Artesia for the past 91 years. She was an active member of Chapter J, Artesia and held all the offices in her chapter. She is known as Mother Green throughout the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She is honored to have her daughter, daughter-in-law, granddaughters, and a great granddaughter following in her footsteps as members of P.E.O.
Elizabeth was very active in many community and family activities. She was a member of the DAR and was the treasurer at age 107. She still holds her membership in the Edina Eastern Star. She enjoyed swimming with a group of ladies nearly every day for many years. She loved doing for others such as helping deliver Meals on Wheels in her later years.
She lived by herself until the age of 107 and then moved to Good Life, Artesia where she enjoyed the company and fellowship of the other people that lived there. She loved to cook and everyone enjoyed her apple pies and chicken and dumplings. She was an avid reader (especially poetry), listens to the radio and was a true fan of the Artesia Bulldog football team. Also truly enjoyed quilting, needlepoint, crocheting, counted cross stitch, sewing and knitting. The family still enjoys the dish cloths that she crocheted for them. She loved traveling and went to China when she was 80 years old and other various trips abroad. She loved her family and her many friends and kept up with their lives. She kept up with all her families' activities from her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and their spouses down to her great great grandsons. She loved to visit with everyone and enjoyed sharing stories of her life. She would recite poetry and even recited the entire Gettysburg Address at age 109. A highlight for her was to attend her Great Granddaughter, Brooke's wedding in Ruidoso on September 26, 2015 at the age of 109 years 5 months.
She is preceded in death by her parents, J.S. & Maude Gashwiler,; sisters, Baby Katurah Gashiler, Louise Schille; brothers, Baby Howard, John, Jay, Robert & Frances Gashwiler and two grandsons, Baby Haldeman and Daniel Haldeman.
She is survived by her daughter, Virginia (Vernon) Haldeman, Artesia and son John L. (Toots) Alamogordo; grandchildren: Richard (Silvia) Haldeman, Sarah (Rick) Gromatzky, Susan (Baron) Chandler of Artesia; Johnese (Michael) Turri, Blacklake, Jody (David) Prell, Carlsbad. Great grandchildren: Kelsey Chandler and Jessica Parker, Artesia, Brandon (Suzzy) Haldeman, Port Arthur, TX , Brooke (Clark) Driver, Dallas, Ryan (Rochelle) Turri and Jay (Kristen) Turri, Albuquerque; Christy (Frank) Talbert, Aurora, CO, Michael (Jenni) Prell, Katey and Danielle Prell, Carlsbad. Eight special Great great grandsons; Jayden Prell, Eli and Grayson Prell, Vincent and Sylas Turri, Max and Oliver Turri, Gabriel and Baby Grace Elizabeth Talbert on the way. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at Terpening & Son Mortuary on Wednesday, Nov. 4 from 12 to 8 pm. Services will be on Thursday, Nov. 5 at the First United Methodist Church at 10 am. Monty Leavell and David Prell will officiate. Burial will follow at the Woodbine Cemetery.
The Pallbearers will be Great Grand Sons: Ryan & Jay Turri, Michael Prell, Brandon Haldeman, Clark Driver along with Harold Green, Jason Starnes and Chuck Morgan. Honorary Pallbearers: Sony Watts, Tommy Brown, Clarence Conner, Jess Briggs, Don Burton and Tom Overstreet.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter J, 1404 W. Sears, Artesia, NM or DAR, Mary Griggs Chapter, 2505 Sierra Vista, Artesia, NM.

Visitation

Terpening Son Mortuary
611 W. Grand Ave.
Artesia, NM  88210
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
12:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Service

First United Methodist Church
500 W. Grand Ave.
Artesia, NM  88210
Thursday, November 5, 2015
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Woodbine Cemetery
200 E. Hermosa Drive
Artesia, NM  88210