Iola Gill

Iola McCombs Gill was born to Will and Ola McCombs at her Aunt Setta's home in Kenna, New Mexico on August 5,1922. She grew up on the family ranch at Lone Wolf, outside of Kenna. She passed away to eternal glory on February 16,2017. Iola went to school in Kenna and Elida, driving a school bus when she was barely a teenager. She graduated as salutatorian form Elida High School and was faithful in going to Kenna/Elida reunions for many, many years. After graduating high school, she went to college at Eastern NM University in Portales, transferring to New Mexico Ag and Mechanical Arts in Las Cruces (Now New Mexico State University). It was there that she fell in love with Walter "Pete" Gill while he tutored her in organic chemistry, (she always joked that she still flunked organic chem, but got her husband!) At first, she said she wouldn't go out with him because she had a ring from a guy back home, so the next day, Pete showed up with a box to mail the ring back. They married May 18,1942, and Pete shipped out for service in WWII, in the fall of 1943. He returned home the summer of 1944, after surviving 8 months in a POW camp in Germany. They were married 64 years. He preceded her in death February 19,2006.

Iola was a faithful member of First Christian Church in Roswell for 70 years.

Roswell Seed Company was Iola's home away from home. The Gill family opened the store in 1898, and the family legacy was very important to her.

Iola is survived by her children Jim and his spouse, Shirley; Walter and his spouse, Vanda. Her grandchildren Jamie Gill, Emily Gill, Jennifer Gill Morgan and John Gill. Great grandchildren Christopher, Lisa, Holly, Thomas and Nathan Morgan. She absolutely adored her grandchildren and would do anything for them! Her kindness and generosity is simply unmatched.

She was preceded in death by her husband Walter "Pete" Gill, brothers Emmett and Bill and one sister, Barbara, and each of their spouses.

The family wishes to thank her special care givers she loved: Imelda, Rose, Lidia, Claudia, Diana, Vicki and Josie, and Stacie (patient care coordinator at Comfort Keepers) who were with her for many years.

Services will be held at Grace Community Church, Saturday, February 25, 2017, at 10:00 AM. Pall bearers will be: Gordon Patton, Josh Morrow, Don O'Connor, Phil Messick, Eric Glover and John Noble. Interment will be at South Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her memory to the following: The Historical Society of Southeastern New Mexico, 208 N Lea, Roswell, NM 88201; Roswell Humane Society, 703 E. McGaffey, Roswell, NM 88203, or Kenna Ladies Aid, c/o Judy Howell, P.O. Box 100, Elida, NM 88116.

Service

Grace Community ChurchH
935 W. Mescalero
Roswell, NM  88201
Saturday, February 25, 2017
10:00 am

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203

Memorial Contributions

The Historical Society of Southeastern New Mexico
208 N. Lea
Roswell, NM  88201

Roswell Humane Society
703 E. McGaffey St.
Roswell, NM  88203

Kenna Ladies Aid c/o Judy Howell
PO Box 100
Elida, NM  88116