Grace Carlton

Grace Josephine Smith Carlton

Grace was born on February 20, 1927, in Labadie, Missouri, the only child to William Alexander and Bertha Calvin Smith. At the age of 88, Grace succumbed to a long battle of two cancers on May 12, 2015 in her home with family by her side. The Lord called and she went to be with those gone before her. She has been under the care of the loving and concerned staff of Gentiva Hospice. She underwent surgery December 2013 and treatment at the Cancer Center in Lovington, NM.

Grace was valedictorian of her high school class, a beautiful member of the Kilgore Rangerettes and studied art in college. She worked in the oilfield in Eunice as a secretary before dedicating herself to 25 years at Hobbs High School as secretary to the principal and counselors. Many students worked in and came through her office. She was well liked by staff and students alike. After retirement, she and her husband retired to Ruidoso, moved back to Hobbs, back to Ruidoso then to Longview, Tx and finally back to Hobbs.

She began taking art lessons at the NMJC soon after moving from Eunice to Hobbs. She also took lessons from Ann Mann and various other instructors and became an accomplished artist with oil painting as her desired medium, followed by water colors. She has painted numerous works of art that embellish her home as well as others she gave as gifts or sold. She was a very detailed artist and her work is of professional quality.

Grace was a devoted wife and mother of three daughters. She married Billie Lee Carlton on February 4, 1947 in Kilgore, Tx where they had their first born daughter. They lived on a ranch in Texas before moving to Big Spring, Tx where their 2nd daughter was born and Bill worked in the oilfield. They later moved to Eunice, NM, Fulterton,Tx, Seminole,Tx and settled in Eunice, NM where their 3rd daughter was born in 1958 until 1965 when they built a home in Hobbs and lived until retirement.

Grace was a Southern Baptist by faith and was the church pianist at Highland Baptist Church in Eunice and Northside Baptist Church in Hobbs. She and Bill raised their girls in church and were proud of their upbringing. They had many friends from church as well as friends in the community. They enjoyed many hours of fellowship in Ruidoso, NM eating and playing games with several couples. She always said it was a most enjoyable time in their lives. In Longview they rekindled relationships with school acquaintances and enjoyed many class reunions over the years.

Fond memories by her daughters were chocolate covered marshmallow Easter eggs which she so painstakingly decorated with a flower and each child's name in the classes, special Easter baskets and Christmas stockings, paper cups made into Santas to decorate the school tree, seamstress of Barbie and Ken clothes, trips to Dallas, Tx to visit her father's toy store, helping with Girl Scouts, providing penny candy for sleep overs, clothing she made including two wedding gowns and numerous formals, always eating popcorn with grape koolade, decorated cakes she made and once tried to mail (didn't look quite the same as was sent)...stopping at the DQ on Broadway to get a Dr. Pepper icee on a trip from Eunice to Hobbs, wonderful birthday parties with handmade cakes and décor, taking large grocery paper bags for each of us to hunt arrowheads in the first time we went, beautiful holidays, exceptional cook, loving our Dad. She was a talented lady, a beautiful lady, a dignified lady, a "Classy" lady as described by her doctor and she was our Mother!

Grace shared birthday parties and eating with longtime supportive friends, Helen Shipp, Ann Randolph, Mary Baber, Dorothy Pye of Hobbs and Lane and Lorene Bachman of Albuquerque, formerly of Ruidoso.

She is survived by two daughters, Marsha Hart and Jerry of Hobbs and Lisa Shive and Donnie of Houston, Tx., six grandchildren, Tori Kelley of Pampa, Tx, Tara Hoganson and Chris of Pampa, Tx., Christi Sturgill and Ben of Hobbs, Brett Hart of Hobbs, Brian Shive and fiancee Kelsey of Houston and Derek Shive and Kady of Houston,Tx, five great grandchildren, Colton and Evan Kelley of Pampa, Tx,
Avery Hoganson of Pampa, Tx, Jessica and Alyssa Sturgill of Hobbs. Sister in law, Delores Thurman and nephew Mike Thurman both of San Antonio, Tx, nieces Delia De Los Reyes of Raymondville, Tx, Sharon Tuel of Kilgore, Tx and Sharla Purcell of Kennesaw, Ga and family members in Texas, Wisconsin and Missouri, Special Cousin Lavoys Rogers of Longview, Tx

Preceded in death were Graces parents, her husband, Bill, daughter Sherry Suzanne Nave Bryan, granddaughter Sarah Kathleen Hart, Bill's parents, Mike and Lucille Carlton, Brother in Laws Robert Thurman, Durold Carlton, son-in-law Jerry Tom Nave and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the local Cancer Society, National Downs Syndrome Society, LEADERS of Hobbs or a charitable organization of your choice.

Visitation

Chapel of Hope
3321 N. Dal Paso
Hobbs, NM  88240
Monday, May 18, 2015
8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Service

Funeral Service

Chapel of Hope
3321 N. Dal Paso St.
Hobbs, NM  88240
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
10:00 am

Cemetery

Prairie Haven Memorial Park
2201 E. Stanolind
Hobbs, NM  88240

Memorial Contributions

1313 W. Calle Sur
Hobbs, NM  88240


666 Broadway, 8th Floor
New York City, NY  10012