Wilma Connor

Closed casket services are scheduled at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 11 at First Christian Church for Wilma R. Connor, 1903 S. Haldeman Rd., Artesia, New Mexico.

Mrs. Connor, 97, died Wednesday evening, July 8, 2009. She was at her home surrounded by her family.

Rev. David Grousnick will officiate at the services with burial at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Kevin Connor, David Nelson, Cody Connor, Ryan Nelson, Wiley Rountree, and Tate Branch. Honorary pallbearers will be Mel Wise, Robert Horner, Kevin Horner, and Kern Horner. Visitation at Terpening amp; Son Mortuary will begin at 10:00 a.m. Friday.

Wilma was born January 5, 1912 in Dayton, New Mexico; the daughter of James Washington Berry and Willie Richard Martin Berry. She was a lifelong area resident and an Eddy County pioneer.

On Dec. 14, 1929 she was married to Clarence C. Connor, Sr. in Durant, Okla. who preceded her in death Feb. 12, 1998. She was also preceded in death by an infant son Jimmy, and by a grandson Craig Connor.

Wilma was a homemaker as well as a lifelong member and supporter of the Artesia First Christian Church since its inception. She was an accomplished china painter and belonged to the China Painting Club. She was a member of the Artesia and Carlsbad chapters of the Good Sams Club.

Survivors include son Clarence C. Connor, Jr. and wife Joyce of Artesia; daughter Annette Franklin and husband John of Navajo Dam, N.M.; a sister Dorothy Smith of Rison, Ark.; grandchildren Kevin Connor and wife Donnita, Carol Nelson and husband David; and great-grandchildren Marcy Nelson, Ryan Nelson and Cody Connor.